Home at last
Armando and Cynthia Sarabia and their children Vivian, Elias, and Isaac, step into their new Habitat for Humanity home on the day of its dedication.

By Sandra Iruegas

"God's Plan Our Hands" was the project name for the Habitat for Humanity home recently completed for the Sarabia family, in Riverhill Subdivision.

Armando and Cynthia Sarabia, along with their three children Elias, 5, Isaac, 7, and Vivian, 8, are now enjoying a new home built to fit their special needs. The four-bedroom, two-bath home, the largest Habitat for Humanity house yet built in Laredo, features wider doors, easy access rooms that share the same hallway, an open living room-kitchen area, and a walk-in shower.

The Sarabias went through the usual Habitat for Humanity application process, and were chosen based on having two children with special needs and their ability to make mortgage payments on a zero-interest loan.

The money collected from the mortgage payments are invested in Habitat for Humanity to buy construction supplies for future homes.

The Sarabia home was built in 25 Saturday workdays, faster than any other Laredo Habitat for Humanity house. Over 300 volunteers contributed to the project.

"We learned about construction," said Cynthia Sarabia. "We learned it is hard work."

Habitat families are required to contribute 500 hours of work in return, said Carol S. Sherwood, president of Habitat for Humanity of Laredo. The Sarabias contributed 617 hours in construction and other projects.

Armando Sarabia is the first Habitat for Humanity homeowner to be invited to join the construction committee, which makes decisions about all aspects of Habitat home construction. When the project for his home began, Sarabia did not know the first thing about construction, Sherwood said. His determination to want to understand the work required, so that he could lead a team, went far beyond expected.

Habitat for Humanity is about faith, Sherwood said. When the Sarabia home was begun, Habitat had only one-third of the money needed to complete the project. "We went forward with the plans not knowing how or when the house was going to be completed," said Sherwood. "We really saw the community come out to support this project."

"The kids have adapted well to their new surroundings and have made a lot of new friends," said Cynthia Sarabia. All three children attend John Arndt Elementary.

"Habitat for Humanity is a great organization," said Armando Sarabia. "Without them we would never have been able to afford this house. It is a great honor to volunteer for Habitat. There is a friendship with them."

Volunteers and supporters of the Sarabia home included Doctors Hospital, AEP/CPL, Laredo Webb County Food Bank, Carranco & Lawson, HomeArt, Laredo Job Corps, Three-G Electric Supply, Enersave Home, Alfredo Castillo, José M. Guerra, Border Title Group, David Hernandez, the City of Laredo Department of Community Development, the Laredo Morning Times, LareDOS, Texas-Mexican Railway Company, ACE Hardware, Brick & Tile International, Clark Hardware, Crane Engineering, Gentry's, Modern Machine Shop, Southern Sanitation, Melissa Guerra, Judy Martinez, Mark Ochoa, Raquel Rodriguez, Alexander High School Interact Club, Girl Scouts of America Troop # 118, Rotary Club of Laredo Under 7 Flags, Student Coalition Democracy & Human Rights, TAMIU Ambassadors, TAMIU Kick Boxers Club, TAMIU P.S.I. Club, TAMIU Psychology Club, TAMIU Roteract Club, Texas Careers of Laredo Campus, United High School Engineering Magnet Technology School, United High School Interact Club, Judges and staff of the 11th District Court, Webb County Residential Treatment Center, Webb County C.S.C.D., A.A.R.P., Emilia Alvarado, Anthony Carrillo, Cingular Mobile Systems, Abelino Cervantes, Creative Signs, Emperor Garden, José Escobedo, Mona Van Dyke, Gabriela Flores, Christina Fracchia, Lee García, Daniel de la Rosa, Halliburton, Terrence Hannigan, Richard Haynes, Jose Herrera, J & A Pharmacy, Ernesto Leal, Leyendecker Lumber, Donna Lednicky, Humberto Martinez, McCoy's, M.G. Contractor, Ltd., Mr. Rooter, Myrna Montano, O'Boy Services, Isabel Ochoa, Carlos Padilla, Ricky Plasencia, Resendez Enterprises, Deirdre Reyna, María Teresa Rios, José Romero, Deborah and Howard Ruhlman, Debbie Salinas, Lloyd Kelly Sams, Fernando and Veronica Sanchez, San Isidro Ready Mix, Ltd., Manuel Solis, Technicopy, Christine Tovar, Robert Tovar, Twin Air Conditioning, Luis Urbina, Nicassio Valero, Valley Mortgage, Adolfo Verdin, Webb County Juvenile Detention Center, Webb County Title & Abstract Company, David Yoskowitz, Ricardo Plasencia, James E. Jackson, Dr. Sunny Wong, and John Jackson.

For more information or to become a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity of Laredo call 724-3227 or e-mail laredocs@aol.com.