Harambee: 2005 Interview Excerpts
Homeowner Betty Price
"I've been in this house 41 years, and I rented for so long, my husband passed away and then I stayed on and raised the kids. The landlord wanted to get rid of it as is... and I'm so grateful to get help with it... I'm very thankful to God."
"Young people... they've been great! They've been very great. I think they pretty much... I think they do well. I don't see any discrepancy in what they are doing. That's hard work, and you know one day that dust was blowing and they was just drilling, and they tolerated with it, it was just fine with them."
"I think it's good for kids, I was looking at the older guy, he goes behind them and tells them things to do... don't do that, don't do that... and I said one day he's gonna be a carpenter or something because it's too well in his mind."
"I appreciate everything, because I couldn't afford it, and I'd probably have to move out. I was telling my daughter I'd probably have to move out, because things continue to deteriorate, I'd probably have to go, that's why I'm so grateful, because I can stay in my own house."
"I think kids really need something to do. I don't think this is too bad for them, because they need something to do. I think that young kids who start off with hard work, even doing things they don't want to do, make better adults."
Participant Dana Stewart
"My name is Dana Stewart; I'm 15 years old.
I did Harambee a couple of years back... I signed up for it and started working... I like Harambee. It made a difference in my life.
I got a baby, she's one year old... It blessed me because I can take care of my responsibilities. I'm starting to build my life, taking care of my child. If I wasn't working in Harambee I'd probably still be in depression. I'm here today, and I try to make the best of it... it's hot out, but I prayed for this job... I said "Aaron, I need this job, I've got a baby, there's things I need to take care of..." I'm just so blessed, that's all I can say. I feel so blessed to get up every morning to come out here and work. If I miss a day of work, it's gotta be because of something real serious, because Harambee helped me out a lot, and I want to stay in Harambee as long as I can, maybe even be a crew leader one day."
Homeowner Lovie Haynes
"I raised a lot of kids... that I just took into my home that didn't have a place. I lived [in my house] ever since 1967, although I've been on [my street] for 46 years. I have six children of my own, and volunteer to help other parents with about 10 children. I have 35 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. Harambee children have been working for me for the last 5 years... when they first started they were doing gardening and have been coming to mow my lawn and cut my weeds every Wednesday. This year, these young people come to tuckpoint my home. That was a remarkable thing because it really needed it. These children are beautiful children who are trying to make something out of their lives. You have never seen a bunch of young children work as hard as these do. This is a program I would hate to see be let down, it's worthy, remarkable and we older senior citizens need this. And I hope to God, I pray to God that this program will last 'til the day I leave this world."
