Her husband used to beat her so frequently, she took her children and ran away from home

Some individuals find it difficult to leave violent relationships and rebuild their lives.

Yet, in these tough times, stories of courage and determination emerge. One example is Cara Brookins, a mother with four kids. Facing severe financial constraints, she embarked on a major endeavor to transform her family’s future.

After leaving her second abusive marriage, Cara, emotionally drained, sought solace in a unique endeavor: constructing her own house. She acquired the necessary skills from YouTube videos. Having sold their home in Bryant, Arkansas, she looked for a new place to create a safe haven for her children. Though financial options were limited, Cara was determined to reunite her family. She admits, “I didn’t know what it would involve.” At that moment, Cara bravely decided to build a house from scratch.

She reflects, “It seemed like the right move for us.” “Looking back, it might appear insane, but it was the only way I saw.”

Cara secured a construction loan for $150,000 and bought an acre of land for $20,000. She learned basic building techniques like installing gas lines and constructing walls by watching online tutorials. Her kids, aged between two and seventeen, spent nine months constructing the 3,500-square-foot house. While her eleven-year-old daughter Jada fetched water from a nearby pond for the foundation, her fifteen-year-old son Drew took part in the planning.

Cara worked on the house during her children’s school hours. After school, she drove them five miles to the construction site, working into the early morning. The YouTube tutorials were often unclear, showing different ways to perform tasks. To help, Cara hired a part-time firefighter with construction experience for $25 an hour. She confesses, “He was more skilled than we were.”

On March 31, 2009, Cara and her children moved into their five-bedroom home, which they named Inkwell Manor, reflecting her aspiration to be a writer. Afterwards, Brookins authored several books and a biography titled “Rise: How a House Built a Family,” available on January 24.

Looking back at their journey of building their own refuge, Cara acknowledges, “We were embarrassed that this was our best option. We weren’t proud of it. But in the end, it turned out to be the most empowering decision.” She believes, “If I can build a house, being a 110-pound computer programmer, then you can accomplish anything.”

Cara gives straightforward advice to those facing hardships: “Focus on one goal and persist. Choose a significant aim, start with small steps, and invite others who need healing to join you. This can be very powerful.”

The most touching part of Cara’s and her children’s story is best expressed in their own words. As they share their inspiring tale of bravery and hope, stay tuned:

Cara’s amazing journey shows the resilience of survivors and proves that despite great difficulties, there is always a chance for a better tomorrow.