Under a scorching Sun, around 800 young people wearing Habitat for Humanity T-shirts line up in an open field. Their mission: to build 25 houses for victims of a devastating flood that hit the city last December. Hundreds died and thousands were forced out of their homes after Tropical Storm Washi hit the northern coast of Mindanao on December 17. Habitat plans to build 100 houses for the victims by the end of May in Indahag village. Around 3,000 young people have volunteered for the project, called "Youth Build 2012". “We can’t handle all 3,000 over a single day. This overwhelming response needs to be accommodated over three Saturdays,” said Jan-Hannah Awitin, marketing coordinator of Habitat in Cagayan de Oro. Last week, the first batch of volunteers passed hollow blocks and mixed cement under the supervision of experienced construction workers. Others worked on flattening the ground. To boost morale, a former Miss Universe runner-up, Miriam Quiambao, joined the workers for an hour. “We want to send a message that youths can make a difference and they can change lives by volunteering their time in a worthwhile cause,” Awitin said. May Karren Deutzmann, 20, and her sister Rygina Marie, 18, have volunteered to work all three Saturdays. “We really wanted to be part of it and to make a difference. We … will not let this chance pass,” Rygina said. Karren said they were blessed because their house was spared by the flood. Another volunteer, Daisyville Castro, a college sophomore from Zamboanga del Sur, said the project offered her the chance to show that she too can help change lives. “I don’t have money to give, but I can give more than that. I can give my time, and I can lend a hand to build new houses,” Daisy said. Louella Bout, president of the Red Cross Youth at Capitol University in the city, said she wanted to make use of her free time. "We live a life in the spirit of volunteerism, we can make things happen,” she said. Satisfied with the results of her work, Karren said she was happy and motivated. “We need to start somewhere, and this is where we start, by being volunteers, by being in this moment to start making changes,” she said. Related reports: Habitat project for the poor draws help from near and far