The Build

Students Building Community is a partnership between the Greater Cedar Rapids Housing & Building Association and Cedar Valley Habitat Humanity. This program aims to develop future housing & building professionals by giving high school students an opportunity to experience a variety of trades.

Throughout the 2022-2023 school year, Cedar Rapids Community School District students who are part of the Students Building Community program will spend multiple hours a week on a Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity build site, connecting with and learning from Greater Cedar Rapids Housing & Building Association members.

Join In

Want to help this program grow? Here’s how:

Contractors: Fill in the subcontractor and supplier agreement located here and send it to the Greater Cedar Rapids Housing & Building Association.

Students: Ask your teacher or school counselor how to join the Students Building Community program.

The Family

“Habitat is very good. Thank you all for helping my family.” – Misago

Misago and Joselyne live with their five sons and one daughter in a crowded 3-bedroom mobile home in Hiawatha. Joselyne works at Nordstrom and Misago works at Raining Rose. Misago originally worked as a farmer in Burundi, growing corn, beans, eggplants and tomatoes. He continues to use those skills at community garden plots around the area. “I grow vegetables to feed my family, to sell, and to share with my friends,” he says. “I wish I had room to grow more.”

Misago and Joselyne moved from Burundi to Texas in 2007 and had their first child there before settling in Cedar Rapids in 2009. Their oldest son, Walter, is fascinated by U.S. politics and hopes to be a politician one day. Misago proudly relayed this exchange: At school, Walter told his teach, “I need to run for President.” His teacher responded that he can’t hold the office as an immigrant, but Walter replied, “No, I was born in Texas. That’s why I need to run for President.”

The family looks forward to having space for the family and guests, and of course room to garden. “When we move into our new home, first, I will express my deep thanks to Habitat,” says Misago. “Also my children will do the same. I will say thank you to all people who helped me accomplish the sweat equity hours, and to the visitors, also. Then we will have a party and barbecue!”

The Partners

This home is made possible by the generous support of the following organizations.