Habitat & Sun Prairie Area School District Dedicate First Student-Built Home

Students in Sun Prairie gained some significant hands-on learning experience this year building an entire Habitat for Humanity house courtesy of a first-ever partnership between the Sun Prairie Area School District and Habitat for Humanity of Dane County. Construction on the home, located in Sun Prairie’s Vandenburg Heights at 1108 Chicory Way, started last winter when Sun Prairie High School’s home construction class came on site, with only a poured foundation. The rest of the home was be built entirely by the students with the help of their high school teacher, Justin Zander. “Sun Prairie Area School District does a great job preparing students,” said Habitat CEO Valerie Renk, “For students interested in the trades, turning a Habitat build site into a classroom is another opportunity to provide hands-on experience and vocational training along with practical application of critical academic skills. Whether they want to pursue a career in construction or just know how to fix things in their own homes, they’re learning real-world homebuilding skills.” Soon-to-be homeowner, Amber, is excited for her four children — 13-year-old twin daughters Rayeana and Atiyana, six-year-old daughter Ciara, and nine-month-old son Cairon — to have a stable home to grow up in. “Not only will my children have a home to grow up in, but I will finally have a home,” Amber explained. “We are so fortunate to have this opportunity to come together and partner with Habitat to make this life-long dream into a reality.” During the home dedication, a neighboring Habitat home at 1122 Chicory Way was also dedicated. That home, sponsored by Habitat ReStore, will mark the second home completed in Sun Prairie’s Vandenburg Heights, with an additional 11 homes planned over the course of the next two years. Future homeowner, Jainaba, is a certified nursing assistant at UW Hospital with 30 years of work experience. She has six children. Her oldest son, Momodou, graduated from Duke University Medical School and her second son, Sheikh Tijan, graduated from UW Eau Claire. Still at home with Jainaba is 19-year-old Aminata, 16-year-old Fatoumata, and 12-year-old twins Adama and Awa. The family is looking forward to safe and stable home. “In the last 10 years, we have lived in four different apartment complexes and neighborhoods. Every time we move, my children lose their friends,” Jainaba said, “Two years ago, there was a shooting in our apartment complex and it was terrifying for all of us. My 10-year-old son was so frightened; he asked when we could move.” Learn more about the project from Channel 3000/WISC-TV3.