Father and son build on their experience

‘‘Works well under supervision’’, can ‘‘ bang a nail in’’ and not afraid of flying - these are all qualities a father and son team have to make it in Habitat for Humanity.

Former Nelson Child, Youth and Family employee Stephen Alder is preparing to help make a difference in Samoa with his son, Isaac by joining a team to build homes.

Stephen said the concept included cyclone-proofing existing homes and building new cyclone-resilient houses.

Both Alder men will be joining a group of eight others from New Zealand on September 16 to work with local builders.

He said the team would provide skilled labour, ‘‘what skills we’ve got will be utilised.

‘‘Whether you’re a builder or not you can be useful basically.’’

While Isaac is a builder by trade, Stephen said he could ‘‘bang a nail in but I wouldn’t call myself a builder’’.

‘‘I work well under supervision is what Isaac would probably tell you.

‘‘I’ve got a building project at home that’s going very slowly.’’

Habitat for Humanity is working on a three-year partnership with the Samoan and New Zealand governments to give 264 families a decent place to live ahead of the next storm.

Joining the project costs just over $3000 which pays for accommodation in a hostel, food and transport while the work is completed over 10 days.

Stephen said it was ‘‘great’’ to be going with his son.

‘‘I haven’t been to the Pacific Islands since he was born. It will be really neat to go back.’’

He said he lived in Papua New Guinea ‘‘many, many years ago’’ where he worked for a couple of years and where Isaac was born.

Stephen’s interest in the volunteer work was spurred on by Isaac.

‘‘Isaac’s always had an interest in going and doing something in the Pacific ... with his building and that’s been an idea we’ve talked about over a number of years. I followed it up and found the opportunity to help polish that interest he had and it’s worked out we can go and do it together.’’