You’ve probably heard of a groundbreaking ceremony. But how about an “UNgroundbreaking” event?
It’s what happened Tuesday with a Habitat for Humanity home.

Right now Amani Mambo, Esperance Rose, and their two kids live in a two-bedroom apartment. But that will soon change; Habitat For Humanity is building their new house inside on blocks. 

“He said he’s excited to live in a big house, ’cause we’re going to have a big place, where kids are going to sleep well,” interpreter Jemima Muhunga said, translating for Mambo.

“It’s kind of fun to be able to stand inside where the home is going to be in just a couple of weeks,” said Melanie Keegan, who sits on the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls.

Steve Cook will help build Mambo and Rose’s house. He’s with First Baptist Church, which has been involved with builds before. Mambo and Rose’s house is a faith build, which means churches make it happen.

“Habitat teaches them how to be a good neighbor, they teach them how to be a good homeowner,” Cook said. “It isn’t just, ‘Here’s a house.’ We give them the skills to be successful.”

“Our Habitat homes are run by volunteers,” Keegan said. “They wouldn’t be made possible without that.”

Mambo says he’s grateful. This isn’t something he saw coming.

“He said he wasn’t expecting this to happen, but here you go,” Muhunga said, translating for Mambo.