College students return to Asheboro to help Habitat for Humanity

ASHEBORO — Building a Habitat for Humanity home helps more than just the new homeowners. There are rewards for the volunteers as well.

Working on one of four new Habitat homes on McMasters Street in Asheboro last week were 15 students from the University of Georgia. It was the 26th year UGA students have spent their spring break in Asheboro.

Among them were Meghana Kottapalli of Lawrenceville, Ga., and Dominique Lowe of Covington, Ga. Both are juniors and both had returned for their second year of Habitat in Asheboro.

So why sacrifice an opportunity to spend time at the beach? 

“Asheboro is the place I felt the most love and joy in one spot,” Kottapalli said. “The community is so happy and takes care of each other. They’re willing to give the shoes off their feet for you. I want to help them out.”

“It’s the love of the community,” Lowe echoed. “It’s a great experience. The volunteers are so kind and Habitat work is important. The community is so kind. Like the saying, ‘It takes a village to raise a child,’ Asheboro is an example of that.”

“People should always do this, find a way to serve,” added Kottapalli.

Lowe, who was designated a site leader for the students in her second year in Asheboro, said she’s learned new skills, such as using a table saw and using a nail gun, putting up plywood and installing insulation. Now, as a leader, she said, “It’s nice to see a first-timer learn things, then be able to do things themselves. This builds teamwork skills and we make friendships.”

When not working on the Habitat house, the UGA students were able to explore the area, including the NC Zoo. “The zoo is amazing, better than the Atlanta Zoo,” Lowe admitted.

While the Georgia students enjoy a week-long experience, the Campbell family will be the big winners. Kendra Campbell and her sons, Zymorie, 17, and Khyri, 12, are working to have a home of their own, thanks to Habitat for Humanity.

It’s been a long time coming, according to Campbell, who currently is renting Section 8 housing. “I signed up years ago and was on the waiting list. I got a call in September. I was so happy.”

That call from Habitat for Humanity of Randolph County let her know that she was next on the list for a new home. So last week when the UGA students arrived, a concrete foundation had been poured. By the end of their last day on Thursday, the subfloor had been finished and framing of the walls had begun.

The Campbell home remains a work in progress but the end is now in sight. And Campbell is recording it all.

“I’m very meticulous about everything with the house,” she said. “I’m keeping a scrapbook” so she and her boys can look back on these days.

Once the work is completed and the Campbells can move in, she was asked what it would mean for them. 

“Everything,” she said without hesitation. “It’s a foundation for me and my kids. We’ll be more secure. My goal is to pay off the house faster (than the mortgage requires). This is our home. My boys will always have a home.”