The Holy Hammers Project
The Holy Hammers, our 13-church coalition that partners with Habitat for Humanity, has completed work on our 2008 project, located at 887 Randolph Ave., in St. Paul. We are pleased to announce that this year the Holy Hammers had the responsibility for the entire house for a single family. We built a two-story house with a front porch, five bedrooms, two baths, and a garage.
Project Status
2008 Habitat for Humanity House
Our 2008 Habitat for Humanity house at 887 Randolph, St. Paul, has been completed. The foundation was dug and capped last fall so we were able to begin work on April 14. Although we had a few rain-out days and some pretty chilly temperatures, we were able to make good progress. Except for the roofing, which was contracted out, the Holy Hammers built the entire house and garage, completing the project in 10-weeks.
Dennis Foderberg served as PCOTW's project manager/onsite coordinator during week four (April 28-May 2). During several of those days, PCOTW provided the lunches. A couple of workers from other churches commented that they wanted to be sure to work on days when we served food because they thought our lunches were exceptional! The week of June 9th-13th was a Women's Build week, with all-female crews and leaders.
Ecumenical Service
On Saturday, May 10th, about 40 people gathered at the house to bless this year's project during an Ecumenical Service planned by pastors representing several of the 13 churches in the Holy Hammers.
Floyd Hanson, our Habitat site supervisor, explained the build progress and told the group that we had passed the framing inspection with flying colors. In fact the inspector had paid the volunteers the ultimate compliment by saying that this house is built so well that it will last for many, many years. Floyd also said that several neighbors have stopped by during the past few weeks to observe the progress of the build and are looking forward to having a Habitat family in the neighborhood.
Irina Herne, our Habitat liaison, spoke movingly about how impressed she is by the American spirit of volunteerism and reaching out to help others. She compared it to her home country of Romania where she grew up under Communism, and people just did what they were told.
Dave Yarusso spoke on behalf of the Holy Hammers and told how all of our various churches, representing different faiths, have worked well together on the Habitat homes for several years.
We toured the house and met our future homeowners, Marie Ogato and Abdulahi Abdurahiman and their children. Abdulahi told how his family moved from Ethiopia and refugee camps, arriving in the U.S. in 2000. He and Maria are often working onsite, putting in their sweat equity on their own home.
When we work
together,
we build great things.
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity
invites you to
celebrate with us as we dedicate the home of
Maria Ogato & Abdulahi Abdurahiman
887 Randolf Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55102
Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 10:00 am
Program begins at 10:15
An opportunity to socialize and tour the home will follow.
House Dedication
Susan Haigh, Habitat for
Humanity, and
Abdulahi Abdurahiman Shaking Hands
More than 60 volunteers, family, friends, neighbors, and staff from Habitat for Humanity gathered on September 20th to dedicate this year’s Holy Hammers’ house. Maria Ogato, Abdulahi Abdurahiman, and their five children will soon be moving into their new and beautifully constructed home at 887 Randolph, St. Paul.
After years of oppression in Ethiopia, Maria and Abdulahi, who are Oromo, fled to Kenya where they lived for eight years in a refugee camp before finally being allowed to come to the U.S. in 2000. Once here, the family experienced many hardships in health, safety, and adjusting to a new culture.
At the dedication service, Abdulahi expressed gratitude to everyone and said that this home will help his family live the American dream because his children “can play outside freely, they can have enough room, enough study space.” After people toured her home, Maria served everyone a delicious variety of foods from her native culture.
Thank you!
A special thank you to everyone at PCOTW for your many hours of hard work, dedication, and gifts. Thank you also to PCOTW's Mission Commission for providing about $20,000 toward the Holy Hammers $70,000 financial commitment.
Please contact Judy Murakami for additional information about the house or planning for next year's project.
Read the May 8, 2007, Shoreview Press article about Holy Hammers!