Imagine never believing you would have your own home. Then your dream comes true through Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West.

Then, you find the governor’s wife and two of their children will be helping to build your dream house.

Florence Cotham was speechless yesterday when Louisiana’s first lady, Supriya Jindal, 5-year-old son Shaan, and 7-year-old daughter Selia came dressed to work on her Jasmine Street house near Abita Springs.

Louisiana First Lady Supriya Jindal, daughter Selia and construction supervisor Hannah Kreiger-Benson watch as Jindal’s son Shaan learns to drive a nail held by Holli Gaspard of H20 Salon. (Staff Photo by Debbie Glover)

The Jindals began their work by learning how to drive a nail. Both Shaan and Selia received instruction from Holli Gaspard of H20 Salon and Spa.

Jindal was participating in the Women Build program for Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West. She said, “I’m delighted to be here to participate...This shows what community is all about and this is what I want my children to be a part of.”

Jindal also said that Habitat has been responsible for building 1,600 homes across the state.

The theme of this year’s project is “Girls play house-women build them.”

Friday’s original wall-raising was cancelled due to rain, but on Saturday, Women Build sponsor Lakeview Regional Medical Center and women from another sponsor, Laporte, Sehrt, Romig and Hand were all on site hammering, raising walls and lending support whatever way they could.

More than 12 million children, one of every six, live in poverty in the United States.

One of the goals of Women Build is to bring women from all walks of life together to learn construction skills and then use those skills to be part of the solution to replace poverty housing with safe, decent, affordable homes.

Empowering women to build these homes enables them to positively impact the lives of families by making homeownership a present reality. It is not about excluding men; it’s about including women and encouraging them to take an active role in their community.

The two families that will benefit from this year’s effort are the Cothams and Rosalyn Edgerton.

Florence Cotham lost her home after Katrina, and then she moved to Folsom with her three sons. One son is disabled and cannot be left alone. A family friend watches him for her. She said that Habitat’s program is a lot of work, but she has found it fun as well. She has learned a lot about financial fitness and has learned about construction from the work site.

Rosalyn Edgerson also has faced challenges. She will occupy the house with her niece and is planning their decorating already. As a full-time School Board employee, she has found the sweat equity hours challenging, but has already learned a great deal.

Both families will join many others in the neighborhood that have benefited from Habitat.

The Women Build program has a special program, WATCH, or Women Accepting the Challenge of Housing. These women have made a three-year financial commitment to Habitat and do everything from hospitality to on site construction.

Women who don’t want to do construction are urged to volunteer their time in hospitality, donating food to the workers, materials or services. They can also sponsor a team or volunteer.

For more information on volunteering or sponsorships, call Wendy Schneider at 373-6638 or visit the Web site at www.habitatstw.org.