Local Grade 4 student wins $10,000 grant for Habitat for Humanity Victoria!

My home - Chez moi

When I think of my house, I think of my family.
When I enter my house, I enter a space with kind people.
When I smell my house, I smell the food my mother cooked.
 
My house is safe.
My house is where I grow up.
My house is a blessing for my family.
 
My mother and my father erase my sorrows.
My chickens and my dog are the best.
My brother asks me to help him with something; I answer yes.
 
At my house, I build.
At my house, I love to prepare supper.
At my house, I love to help out.
 
At home, everything is calm.
At home, there are cars.
At home, everything is imperfect.
 
The fireplace keeps out the cold.
At home, I feel loved.
At home, I love to play.
 
Everyone deserves to have a roof like me.
 
 
Quand je pense à ma maison, je pense à ma famille.
Quand j’entre à ma maison, j'entre dans un espace avec des gens gentils.
Quand je sens ma maison, je sens de la nourriture que ma maman a fait.
 
Ma maison est en sécurité.
Ma maison est où je grandis.
Ma maison est une bénédiction pour ma famille.
 
Ma mѐre et mon père effacent mes pleurs.
Mes poules et mon chien sont les meilleurs.
Mon frère me demande si je peux l’aider avec quelque chose, et je réponds oui.
 
Dans ma maison je construis.
A ma maison j’aime préparer le souper.
A ma maison j’aime aider.
 
Chez moi, tout est tranquille.
Chez moi, il y a des automobiles.
Chez moi, tout est imparfait.
 
Le foyer me garde le contraire de glacé.
A ma maison je me sens aimé.
A ma maison j’aime jouer.
 
Tout le monde mérite d’avoir un toit comme moi.

In a year when our homes played venue to online classrooms, boardrooms, milestones and mundane moments alike, Habitat for Humanity Canada was interested in hearing the answer to the question…what does home mean to you? More than 12,000 kids answered the call, making the 2021 annual Meaning of Home writing contest – one that encourages students in grades 4, 5 and 6 to share what home means to them through a poem or short essay – a record year in terms of number of submissions received. This year’s Meaning of Home contest also raised an historical high of $300,000 for local Habitat for Humanity organizations across Canada, including $12,940 for Habitat for Humanity Victoria.

Every year, there are three grand prize winners, one from each grade, who win a $30,000 grant towards their local Habitat for Humanity build, and nine runners-up, including Isla, a local grade 4 student who won a $10,000 grant towards Habitat for Humanity Victoria. In addition, each student entry also earns a $10 donation for their local Habitat. These much-needed funds will go towards building homes for local families in need of a safe and secure place to call home.

To read all the winning entries, please visit: meaningofhome.ca/winners-2021.

The insight, empathy and appreciation these young people have when it comes to understanding what home means is truly remarkable,” shared Yolanda Meijer, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Victoria. “Isla not only wrote a deeply moving and special poem, it also happened to be the only national winner or runner up submitted in French! We are thrilled to put the $10,000 grant prize into our build program.”

We asked Isla what she and her class learned during the writing process, she shared "Home isn't a building, it's more of a feeling of good memories and fun times. I am lucky to have a home with people and feelings that I love."
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The Meaning of Home contest would not be possible without the generous support of founding sponsor, SagenTM (formerly known as Genworth Canada) and award sponsors Revera and Swiffer. Thanks to their investments, students have an opportunity to give back to their communities in an engaging and meaningful way.  
 
“During a time where we’ve all been spending so much time at home, it’s never been more relevant to engage kids on issues like affordable housing through our annual Meaning of Home contest,” said Stuart Levings, President and CEO of Sagen. “Once again, I’m amazed by the talent and commitment of students who’ve submitted their stories and I’m overwhelmed by the record-breaking number of submissions and funds raised. It’s never been more important to have kids involved and creating positive change in their communities.”