viewfinder: Habitat Garden

Habitat Garden

It's not the digging that has Jesus Sanchez grinning. It's the garden. It's HIS garden. The South Valley teen is participating in Habitat for Humanity's Food for Families program. The food he cultivates this spring and summer will wind up in the belly's of his family members.

"We felt like the young people needed an avenue of success they would be in charge of," said Joe Martinez, director of programs for Habitat for Humanity. "Each teen involved will determine how far they go with their garden, but we want to make sure there is a successful experience for each of the families."

Since 1987, Habitat for Humanity has built more than 100 homes in Albuquerque. The most recent five homes were completed in December on Gallegos SW. Soon thereafter, the families were approached about a gardening project specifically designed for the teenagers.

"Everyone was really interested," said Martinez. "Part of our support for the family is getting the teens involved in a positive and committed thing to do."

On a recent Saturday morning, the teens broke ground on their three by 12 feet gardens. With the help of community volunteers and family members, hands got dirty, palms got calloused and the gardening began.

"I'm growing watermelons," said Sanchez, 14. "We like fruits."

All of the participants were free to decide what they wanted to plant in their gardens. Habitat provides the help of their advisors to guide the teenagers choices.

Before any seeds were put in the ground, the notion of putting food the table motivated Jesus Sanchez to keep digging. His sister Mary Ann, 6, (pictured above) and brother Jose, 10, were inspired by his enthusiasm for the project and braved the cold weather to help out.

"I'm just being supportive," he said. "I'm happy to be helping my family."