Sisters to help improve lives of others

 Sisters to help improve lives of others

Kerri Costello, Kim Smith look forward to homebuilding mission trip to Ethiopia

TRURO - They haven't really travelled together, but that will soon change for sisters Kerri Costello and Kim Smith.

© Raissa Tetanish - Truro Daily News

Sisters Kim Smith, left, and Kerri Costello are travelling for one of the first times together at the end of October when they head out for a Habitat for Humanity mission. Costello has always wanted to participate in a mission and hopes it will put her life, and just how lucky she is, in perspective for her.

The women are heading to Ethiopia on a homebuilding mission with Habitat for Humanity.

"It's something that I've wanted to do for a long time," said Costello, 36, about why she initially applied to be a participant. "I think it would be a good experience and lend some perspective for my own day-to-day life."

On Oct. 31, the sisters head out for Ethiopia and they arrive home Nov. 18. They'll first arrive at a hotel in Debre Birhan, but they still don't know what community they're headed to.

"I think with the last build, they started about 23 homes, but we don't know exactly yet what we'll be doing," said Costello. "We could either start our own house, or finish ones that were started, we're not sure."

To prepare for their trip, Costello and her 32-year-old sister have a list of things to do, including getting proper vaccinations, and packing proper work clothing and anything else they may need.

"We're cautiously watching all the advisories with Ebola," said Smith. "So that's a little twist for us. It wasn't an issue when we were first selected to go."

The younger of the two women said it was her older sister's desire to go that helped her apply.

"We'd never travelled together before," said Smith.

"It seemed like a good plan," added Costello.

"I think it will be a good experience for us, personally, and I'm sure it will strengthen our relationship," Smith added.

"We'll let you know when we get back," Costello said, turning her head and laughing with her sister.

Neither woman has experience in building a home - they haven't helped out friends or family - but their mother, they say, is handy.

"We're pretty green, but we're willing to try anything," said Smith.

In order to participate in the mission (there are eight Canadians in total, and they're the only two from Nova Scotia), Costello and Smith have to pay for their own flights and additional expenses, to a tune of roughly $5,000 each. They have $7,000 total raised and are putting the final push on for the next six weeks.

"Everyone has been so supportive and asking us questions everywhere we go," said Smith. "It's been overwhelming."

Since selected to participate, the women have held a dance and silent auction, which Costello said almost everyone they approached to make a donation to the auction did so. They held a barbecue at Walmart over two days, and have another one coming up at RBC, but they aren't exactly sure which Saturday. They're in the process of scheduling a mixed lob ball tournament, and they're hosting a yard sale across from the base on Plains Road in Debert this coming weekend, both Saturday and Sunday.

They also have an account open at RBC, which means anyone wishing to make a donation can go into any Royal Bank branch to donate. The RBC transit number is 04623 and the account number is 5002654.

Once they return, Smith said they will be hosting presentations on their experience in the communities that showed their support.

"I'm hoping with this experience I will realize just how lucky I truly am," said Costello.

"And I want to leave there knowing that I've done something good for a family, something concrete in a positive way," added Smith.

To contact the sisters, Kerri Costello can be reached at 957-1363 orkerri.costello@rbc.com, and Kim Smith can be reached at 957-1336 orkimbacostello@hotmail.com.

rtetanish@trurodaily.com

Twitter: @TDNRaissa

ABOUT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY ETHIOPIA

- Habitat for Humanity has provided support for 2,140 homes since June 2012

- In that timeframe, 5,931 kitchens have also been improved and 2,659 families have benefited from the construction of toilets and communal water points in Addis Ababa and other areas

TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION:

- Housing work my involve digging, fixing frames, plastering, mixing and carrying cement and painting

- Participants may also be assigned to a water sanitation project, which would involve site clearing, excavating, concrete mixing and moving, and masonry

Source: habitatglobalvillage.ca