American students have sacrificed their spring break to help Habitat for Humanity Bermuda complete much-needed maintenance work at three sites.

Eleven students from Georgetown University Law School, in Washington DC, arrived earlier this week and got straight to work on painting, cleaning and general maintenance.

"This is an annual thing that these guys do," said Habitat for Humanity project manager Nicola Feldman. "During their spring break last year they went with Habitat for Humanity to Panama and helped build homes there."

The group has been split into two teams with one helping improve the Salvation Army homeless shelter and the second working with Sandys Community Centre on renovations to its Springfield and Boaz Island facilities.

Historically, Habitat for Humanity is known for undertaking home-building projects for needy families.

In Bermuda the registered charity has adapted its mission to focus on renovations and home refurbishments rather than building homes from the ground up. Their projects concentrate on common issues such as leaky roofs, mould, broken windows, doors, and severe electrical or plumbing problems which can lead to insecure and hazardous conditions for families.

"The mission of Habitat Bermuda is to assist those living in derelict conditions to make home improvements that will ensure that every Bermudian may live in a safe, secure and healthy home," said a spokesman.

Over the past seven months Habitat Bermuda has completed several projects including the renovation of a North Shore home owned by a man with advanced cerebral palsy.

n For more information on Habitat for Humanity visit their website http://www.habitat.org