There's power in writing, as a ten-year-old Winnipegger now knows for sure.

St. Alphonsus grade four student Ryan Mota won a national youth writing contest, and was recognized for his achievement at school today.

"Oh man, it's really exciting," said Ryan after the school assembly, mentioning how cool it was to have the other students chanting his name.

The contest is called Meaning of Home and is run by Genworth Canada. For every entry, Genworth donates $10 to Habitat for Humanity. The winner gets to choose a Habitat build to which Genworth will donate $50,000. Ryan has chosen a faith build in St. Boniface. Eleven runners-up get to direct $5,000 donations, and the winner's school also gets $1,000.

Ryan's mom Tara Mota is the one who encouraged him to enter the contest. She's a student teacher at another school.

"We're very proud of him and really excited that he can do that kind of work to help people in his community," said Tara.

More than 6,700 grades four to six students nationwide entered the Meaning of Home contest.

Ryan says it feels really good to help others in need.

Habitat plans to build 18 homes in Winnipeg this year. Every year, they have one 'faith build,' for which faith-based groups make donations. Vice President, Marketing, Communications & Philanthropy for Habitat for Humanity Manitoba Michelle Pereira says each Habitat home costs $175,000 to build.

You can read Ryan's winning poem here.