Unconditional Giving
- By Pat Curry -

At first glance, Peter Salemme of Arlington, Va., was like any other American at the Jimmy Carter Work Project. A long-time Habitat volunteer, he had brought his professional carpentry skills to help families achieve their dream of decent housing.

Since 1992, he has traveled to several Habitat builds around North America. Two years ago Salemme became a regular Saturday volunteer at his hometown affiliate. Long after he started volunteering, the affiliate's executive director said, "Peter, you should apply for a house." It had never occurred to Salemme.

"I like unconditional giving," Salemme says. But with a wife and five sons, and his wife's sister and her two children sharing their home (and one bathroom), Salemme agreed.

Within weeks of his return from the Philippines, Salemme put his skills to use again, building his own house as a Habitat home partner. "It's a great blessing from the Father," he says.


Pat Curry is a writer based in Athens, Ga. She volunteered her professional services to Habitat World during the JCWP in the Philippines.


Reprinted from Habitat World Magazine, August/September, 1999.
This article may not be reproduced in any form without permission.
©1999 Habitat for Humanity International