'Imagine that you have struggled all your life to achieve a dream and have failed, and suddenly someone appears and extends their hand, and finally you do achieve it. You have so many words to express your gratitude, but your happiness doesn't allow you to express it. ... I wouldn't sell [my house] for all the money in the world.' --Maria Jose Medina's mother, Elizabeth

Looking at Life from a New Perspective

Monteverde, Costa Rica: At age 7, Maria Jose Medina fills her days with the excitement of learning new things and the fun of play. However, her mother, Elizabeth, remembers spring days two years ago that were filled with work--the work of building her own Habitat house from the ground up. "It was a long and tiring process," she says, "but I can tell you it was worth it--all the sacrifices, fatigue, difficulties, including blisters on our hands. All this faded away when we saw our dreams made real."

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