Local News - March 2003

Habitat workers build new home for deaf couple

By JEREMY ASHTON, LTN Staff Writer

March 19, 2003 - VALE — The sounds of progress can be heard at the site of Habitat for Humanity’s latest house in Lincoln County.

Hammers pound nails into the structure’s wood frame to hold siding in place. A pallet of shingles smacks against the roof of the house. The plethora of volunteers talk to each other about what needs to be done next.

Ricky and Reva Campa watch the work with delight. In a matter of weeks, the house could be ready for them and their two children, Amberly, 7, and Daniel, 3.

While they have no problems observing the construction, Ricky and Reva can’t hear the pounding of hammers or the chatter of volunteers. Both are deaf.

“I can hardly wait for them to finish so we can move in to our new home,” Ricky said using his father, Juan, to interpret his sign language. “(The volunteers) are wonderful, and they’re doing a very fine job.”

The Campas’ future home will be the 14th built by the Lincoln chapter of Habitat, and it may be the most unique.

The house, being constructed on Hog Hill Road in northwestern Lincoln, is the organization’s first in the western end of the county.

Normally, Habitat purchases land for its houses and determines who will live there through an application process. In this case, Johnny Campa donated the land to the group specifically for his younger brother, Ricky.

The project has a particularly special feel, however, because of the homeowners.

Ricky was the only one of Juan and Ruby Campa’s seven children who was born with a hearing impairment, likely caused by a rubella epidemic that affected Ruby Campa during her pregnancy in Florida.

Ricky and Reva met while the two were attending the N.C. School for the Deaf in Morganton. The two have been married for 13-1/2 years.

Although their parents are deaf, Amberly and Daniel can hear clearly. Juan said the children have little trouble communicating with their parents, signing as naturally as they talk.

“In years to come, when (the children) get older, they’ve got a profession already,” he said.

The Campas are currently renting an old house on Shoal Road near Crouse. Their new three-bedroom home will be quite a contrast with 1,160 square feet of space.

The move puts Ricky and his family closer to his parents and oldest brother, something Ricky and Reva are “tickled to death” about, according to Juan.

It also means Ricky and Reva, who receive disability pay, will soon have a home of their own.

Habitat President Robert Cantwell said Habitat homeowners are only required to pay for building materials and house payments. Those costs can be paid off over 18 years through interest-free loans.

As part of the program, the family has to spend 400 hours working on their house or the homes of others. Ricky, Reva and the other family members are fulfilling that requirement by working at the Habitat store, 204 S. Laurel St. in Lincolnton.

“Now we won’t have to rent anymore,” Reva said.

After a sluggish start due to rain and snow, volunteers have completed four weeks of work on the house.

If the weather cooperates, Glenn Mosteller, a volunteer from Emmanuel Lutheran Church, estimates the house could be done in as little as three weeks.

“There’s been an excellent response through the family connections … plus people in general who are interested in Habitat,” Cantwell said.

Regardless of the timetable, the Campas are excited about having a house they can call their own.

“We’re happy the kids are going to have a home to be happy in,” Reva said.

—————

Staff Writer Jeremy Ashton can be reached at 704-735-3031 or jashton@ltnews.com.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

Terms and Conditions