Life sometimes has bad surprises and challenges, and we have to swing just right to get ourselves back on track.
When Charlotte Sapwell, a mother from Australia, found her marriage crumbling, and two young children to look after, she had to adapt.
The divorce left her facing homelessness. Buying a home is simply not as affordable as it once was, and Charlotte knew that to get a house, she would have to take out a $400,000 mortgage to finance it.
Charlotte wanted to start her new life with her two children by feeling stable and safe, which would have been difficult with such a large debt.
Charlotte refused to be burdened by the mortgage, and instead came up with a crafty solution that would keep her out of bank debt.
In five months, she went from the woman who couldn't afford rent to the woman who owns a house!
With the support of her grandfather, and motivated by her children, Charlotte built a tiny house measuring 3x6 meters (about 10x20 feet).
Facebook | Charlotte Sapwell - Little Explorers
She used her grandfather's property and woodworking knowledge, but ultimately, she built the entire space by herself. Moreover, it only cost her around $13,000, which her grandfather loaned her.
Facebook | Charlotte Sapwell - Little Explorers
It took her about five months to build her home, which includes a combined living space, a kitchen, a bedroom for Charlotte and a second bedroom for the kids.
Facebook | Charlotte Sapwell - Little Explorers
Facebook | Charlotte Sapwell - Little Explorers
Facebook | Charlotte Sapwell - Little Explorers
Charlotte shares her own room with the living room, the dining room and the kitchen.
Facebook | Charlotte Sapwell - Little Explorers
Charlotte says that from all the places where she lived, this is by far this house her favorite.
Developing her skills during her house project, Charlotte has been giving the home upgrades, including a sliding barn door for the kids' room.
Facebook | Charlotte Sapwell - Little Explorers
She even created fun toys for her children, including this Ice Cream stand that they often pretend is the shop Charlotte bought her building supplies from.
Facebook | Charlotte Sapwell - Little Explorers
Facebook | Charlotte Sapwell - Little Explorers
These children are proud of their mother!
Facebook | Charlotte Sapwell - Little Explorers
We can only be impressed by all that Charlotte has accomplished. It's amazing to see a person (which is not the job) to realize such a project alone!
Facebook | Charlotte Sapwell - Little Explorers
Although she did not expect any "fame" with her project, she says that the experience has helped her see that she's not the only single mom who has experienced financial strain when it comes to housing. .
"It’s nice to know I’m not the only one but this fact alone makes me even more aware of Australia’s housing crisis- and I would love to help in anyway!" She said.
Charlotte is really an inspiration to so many people!
Facebook | Charlotte Sapwell - Little Explorers
She documented all her experience, including her divorce, house building, etc., on her Facebook page.
It's become an outlet for her to talk about her projects, motherhood, body image, and the state of things in Australia.
While there has been an overwhelmingly positive response to her story, there are some people who choose to bring her down.
But Charlotte does not care about her opponents. "I know what I’ve achieved, I know what I’m capable of, I KNOW that the only people who matter are incredibly supportive."
Facebook | Charlotte Sapwell - Little Explorers
Charlotte took advantage of this experience to teach her sons an important lesson.
She told Daily Mail, "I just want other females to know they are capable of anything."
She loved her project so much, that she plans to create a business building and sell small houses for other people.
Her first client? Her grandmother. The project will serve as a prototype for future houses.
For someone who says she failed ninth-grade woodworking, she certainly has a talent for building, and for living a minimalist lifestyle !
Children have plenty of room to play, and Charlotte can breathe easily knowing that she is giving them a positive example.
Facebook | Charlotte Sapwell - Little Explorers
"I want my boys to know that it doesn't matter if you are a boy or girl, anyone can build their future," she says.
Charlotte's next step is to pay back her grandfather for the materials used, and continue to live a life she loves with her sons.
