Local Habitat builds thousands of miles away

This spring break, Steven Sowell is planning a trip to a place that will be sure to broil his skin in a more than \n90-degree swelter. \nBut for a full week, Sowell, assistant director of Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County, will not be working on his tan. Instead, he'll be assisting several El Salvadoran families building places for them to call "casa."\nHabitat is a non-profit organization devoted to constructing "simple, decent, affordable housing" for the indigent around the world. The local chapter has traveled to its sister affiliate in San Vicente, El Salvador, twice on previous building projects, and this year the group will return with what it hopes will be its largest turnout yet. \nSowell said the group scheduled the trip during spring break to encourage IU students to participate. \n"We're looking for people who are sympathetic with the mission to eliminate poverty and homelessness," he said, "even people who have never built houses before or had lots of experience." \nThe deadline to sign up for the trip is Jan. 31. A fee of $1,250 covers all airfare, food, lodging and transportation expenses, including travel medical insurance. Sowell said some participants have asked family and friends to help sponsor them to cover the costs. \n"The trips have been life-changing experiences," he said. "They've put things in perspective on how we live in abundance here." \nEl Salvador is both the smallest and most-populated country in Central America. Because of recent volcanic eruptions, hurricanes and earthquakes, many residents have lost their crops, houses and belongings. A survey found that 450,000 families live in substandard conditions, according to Habitat. \nRandy Arnold, an assistant scientist in the chemistry department, said he did not speak a word of Spanish when he traveled with Habitat to El Salvador two years ago, but that didn't stop him from rolling up his sleeves and hammering out metal sheet roofs. \n"It was neat to hear how grateful the families were of us helping them build their houses," he said. \nArnold has already cleared his spring break schedule for the upcoming trip. Although Habitat brings interpreters, he's learning some Spanish so he can better communicate with the local families, he said. \n"The people are very hospitable and welcoming," Arnold said. "They kind of took us in as part of their family while we were there." \nBut to participate, Sowell said speaking Spanish isn't a requirement. All one needs is a passport and immunizations to prepare for the experience. \nArnold recommends others get involved, but not just for the construction aspect.\n"It's always good to take yourself out of the culture you live in," he said. "This is a great way to do that." \nTo sign up, e-mail Steven Sowell at sowell@monroecountyhabitat.org.