What will you build?

When home is a shack made from scavenged materials, a dilapidated apartment building with no toilet, or a plastic tent, people are vulnerable to the cold, to eviction and to infection. One in five people worldwide are trapped in poverty by the place where they live, 100 million are homeless and more than 1.3 million have no access to clean water.

Habitat NI are asking people to join a Global Village team this year and travel to some of the world's poorest communities to help families build their way out of poverty. In addition to general teams, open to any individual or small group, there are also  a number of special builds throughout the year including a Women's Build in Poland, a Faith in Action Build in El Salvador and a Student Build in India.

Or why not lead your own team. Every year lots of teams from churches, schools, companies or groups of family and friends form their own Global Village teams.

Habitat works beside people; building or renovating homes, helping change the policies which keep people trapped in poverty or ensuring families get access to clean water which can make a world of difference to a whole community. When you are working beside the families who will start a new future in a home of their own you know you are building so much more than a home – you're building security, hope, a future!

For further information about the impact you can have as a Global Village volunteer and for all 2013 opportunities please visit Habitat NI.

World Habitat Day 2012

Becoming a Global Village volunteer is a way to take action against poverty housing. Monday 1 st october is World Habitat Day. Designated by the UN to remind the world of our collective responsibility for the future of human habitat and stand up for the right of every human being to have adequate, decent shelter. 

This year’s theme of Many Homes: One Community is a powerful message. It captures the heart of Habitat’s work and why every year thousands of people donate, support and travel in partnership with us to give families the hand up they need to build their way out of poverty. Each of us can play our part in building many homes that in turn will build one community – one that will equalise all people - regardless of race, religion or gender.