Kids in grades 4, 5, and 6 are encouraged to enter poems or short essays in Habitat for Humanity's Meaning of Home Contest.

Vice President of Regional Development Steve Krahn says this is the 17th year they have run the contest.

"It is an opportunity for students in those grades, 4,5, and 6 to submit a poem or a short essay about what home means to them. It is an opportunity for kids to think a little bit more about shelter and their houses and to implement some critical thinking."

Krahn says this topic is more relevant now than it has ever been as kids have experience doing school from home in the last two years. He notes “Learning from their homes, they realize how important it is to have a safe, decent, affordable place to live.”

Manitoba normally pulls its weight in this national contest, in fact, Krahn says the province set a new record last year as Habitat Manitoba submitted 2,500 entries. He adds the submissions are always inspiring.

"They are just amazing and some break your heart when they share some sort of detail of perhaps some difficult things that they are going through and others are really hope-inspiring. All of them are really inspirational especially when you think of young people putting their thoughts and creativity toward what housing means to them. It is really neat to see."

Of course, being a contest, Krahn says there is a competitive side and prizes.