Habitat for Humanity of the N.C. Sandhills and Lowe's of Southern Pines will be holding a how-to workshop for up to 25 women on Saturday, April 21, from 10 a.m. to noon.

The workshop will cover the basics of construction, including power tools and safety procedures.

"This is the ideal workshop for women who want to get involved in the fall 2012 Women Build, but don't feel like they have the skills to participate," says a spokesman.

Women will learn the basic skills in a non-threatening environment and gain confidence along the way. The workshop is limited to 25 women, and spots are still available.

Women can call the Habitat office at (910) 295-1934 to sign up or register online at www.sandhills habitat.org.

This is the first opportunity for the 2012 Women Build, which will kick off in September. This year's Women Build home will be in the Midway Gardens neighborhood in Aberdeen. >

This will be the fourth Women Build in the affiliate's 25-year history. The Women Build program is not about excluding men, but about including women in the construction of a Habitat home. When women work on a Women Build home, they have the satisfaction of helping another woman become a homeowner.

Habitat of Humanity of the N.C. Sandhills was founded in 1988 by an interdenominational group concerned about substandard housing, and it exists to serve residents of Moore and Richmond counties living at 60 percent or less of median income who need suitable housing.

Habitat is a Christian ministry with an ecumenical bent and an interfaith focus. Habitat not only builds its houses with the potential homeowners and hundreds of volunteers, but also provides 25- or 30-year mortgages for the families at zero interest.

Since 1988, this affiliate has built more than 200 homes with and for families in need of affordable housing in the Sandhills.