Our people: Educating across the world

If you've been to Habitat for Humanity's Re-Store in Clovis you may have encountered Portales resident Dyanne Frazier volunteering, helping run the store. There is much more to Frazier's life than one might suppose as The News found out when we talked with her Thursday.

Q: Where did you begin your life journey?

A: I was born in Schenectady, N.Y.

Q: Where have you lived?

A: Really all over. Some of my family's longest stays were in Florida, Alabama and California.

For instance, when I was in first grade I attended seven different schooIs.

I lived in Florida the longest before my family moved to New Mexico in the 1950s.

Before we moved to New Mexico, my grandmother was so worried for us because she thought we'd be attacked by native tribes.

Here in New Mexico I've lived in Roswell where I graduated from high school. I moved to Portales. I've lived in Pleasant Hill.

Q: What brought you to Portales?

A: I came to Portales to attend ENMU. It's where I met my late husband.

I have a Master's degree in special education.

Q: Tell us about your family.

A: I have three sons. My oldest lives in Artesia where he is the assistant superintendent of schools. My middle son works for the federal government in Washington, D.C. My youngest works in the insurance industry in Hot Springs, Ark.

Q: Tell us about your career before you retired.

A: I retired after a 49-year teaching career. I taught in New Mexico and Texas.

My students ranged in age from 4-years-old to college.

I like the challenge.

I taught emotionally disturbed children for 18 years.

I helped write the curriculum for teaching emotionally disturbed children in New Mexico.

Q: So what do you do now?

A: My volunteering with Habitat is just one of the things I do.

I've been on the Habitat for Humanity board for six years.

At the Re-Store I sort through donations, get food for our volunteers, work to acquire materials for our projects among many other duties.

These days we are frustrated in acquiring the materials for our projects.

The main thing I do now is go on mission trips to Kenya.

Q: When it comes to Habitat for Humanity, what would you like to point out to folks?

A: Most people believe we build houses for people at no charge.

That's not true.

The person who receives the home puts in 500 hours of labor in the building of the home.

And there is a mortgage they have to pay, but it is an interest-free mortgage.

That's what makes it "affordable housing."

We do this in other countries also.

Q: As you mentioned earlier, you go on mission trips to east Africa.

A: Years ago, around 1998, my sister invited me to go with her church to Uganda.

While I was there I met a man, Leonard, who I call "my African grandson."

He asked if I might come visit Kenya.

The first three years I went to Kenya I went on missions with a church.

I then started going on my own.

God and I went.

I always took 10 suitcases with me, filled with Bibles, books, toys, things for children.

I started having conferences for teachers in the largest slum in Africa, in Nairobi.

I taught the teachers how to use the materials I brought and I gave them the materials.

My emphasis has been on early childhood education since 90% of the brain develops by age 5.

This year's trip was my last trip, though. We do everything by Zoom now.

I started a foundation in Kenya, Early Start Africa.

We're going to give away scholarships because education is not free in Africa. They say it is, but it is not.

Q: What is your favorite place to visit?

A: Kenya. I'd live there if I didn't have family here. It's a beautiful country and the people are lovely.

We are so blessed here (in the U.S.A.) and people don't realize it.

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Enchiladas.

If I was in Kenya it would be "ugali." It's their mainstay.

It's made out of corn. You slice it, it's so thick.

Q: What is your favorite saying?

A: With God, all things are possible.