Fall break is here and once again some UNO students have put travel plans to rest and instead strapped on tool belts to help others have a home.

Mahiola Kaimikaua is spending his fall break, doing anything but resting. “It seems intimidating at first because you have four houses you know. They don't even have roofs on it.”

It's a service project, a part of UNO’s 3 days of service. They are building four homes at 33rd and Manderson.

“This way students can take what they are learning in the classroom and apply it to the community and really what way to better to it than to it than to help them coming,” says Erin McNally of UNO.

There is a lot of help being provided, not only from UNO students but other volunteers such students from Millard North. “It was really surprising when we got here cause I think we were expecting to do painting and aesthetic type stuff and not necessarily building houses but it's really cool to see from beginning to end,” says Amber Ripa from Millard North.

Overseeing the volunteers at this project is Analynn Fassler a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. She says she can't say enough about the number of people who have lent a helping hand on the sight. “They know how to do it on their own. I told them what to do and they are going around and doing it. These two are taking over, so it's awesome,” she says.

The plan is to have houses closed in by Tuesday, and hopefully have owners move in by spring. But for those here today the goal is to make progress even if it's one nail at a time.

“Just have to help the community, give back I guess,” says Kaimikaua.

UNO also had service projects in south Omaha and in Macedonia, Iowa, where they refurbished Santa's village. In total over 100 UNO students volunteered.