(HARLINGEN) – Trading in flip-flops for hammers and drills, four Texas State Technical College Building Construction Technology students volunteered with Eight Days of Hope over spring break to help rebuild for those displaced by the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey.

Yaquelin Gonzalez, Kristen Perales, Lidia Hernandez and Susana Sierra jumped in a car, packed their tents and bags and headed northeast to Houston for three days to join more than 4,000 other volunteers from across the United States during the organization’s two-week event.

“It’s so sad to see that after seven months there are still people trying to pick up the pieces after such a devastating storm,” said Sierra. “Helping at such a large scale event was something we’ve been wanting to do for a while now and I’m so glad we got this opportunity.”

Eight Days of Hope is a Christian, non-profit organization in Houston that serves communities affected by natural disasters by assisting with rapid response and disaster relief. The organization operates with the help of volunteers and donations.

Volunteers, like TSTC’s building construction students, have restored or rebuilt close to 2,000 homes since 2005. To date, the organization has completed more than $30 million dollars of work for free.

Gonzalez, Perales, Hernandez and Sierra were assigned to assist with kitchen and bathroom cabinet assembly and worked closely with the homeowners, who were also helping the volunteers.

“The experience was great. On top of getting field experience, we also got to spend time with and speak to the victims of the flooding,” said Sierra. “To see hope and gratitude in their eyes was the best feeling ever.”

The sentiment was shared across the board.

“We had families telling us that we were their sign of hope,” said Gonzalez. “That’s so touching. They’ve been through so much and I’m glad I took the opportunity to help.”

Hernandez added, “The experience was worthwhile. Our contribution was making a difference and that in itself was rewarding.”

TSTC’s Building Construction Technology Instructor Rolando Cuellar said he is proud of his students for taking the initiative to help out a community in need.

“It was spring break and they could have gone anywhere and done anything,” he said. “But instead they made the choice to work and go where their help was needed. They really went above and beyond their call of duty.”

The women’s three-day adventure went beyond assembling cabinets. They bonded as a group while sleeping outside of a church in tents and were rewarded with a live concert featuring gospel singer Ryan Stevenson.

The students all agree that the next time they get a call for help they will be there. They said there is no greater feeling than knowing you made a difference in someone’s life.

To learn more about Building Construction Technology at TSTC, visit tstc.edu.