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IN THIS ISSUE:
» How housing microfinance works in Uganda
» Seven ways to help Habitat today
Foundations
From Habitat CEO Jonathan Reckford
HabitatWorld The Publication of
Habitat for Humanity International
W
DESIGN
WHO WE ARE
e were very excited numbers to guide us on a journey through Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, Christian
to learn that last year our story. I think you will find this an intrigu- housing ministry that works both to eliminate
poverty housing around the world and to make
Habitat for Humanity ing way to examine our work. As you view adequate housing a matter of conscience and
served 75,000 families things from this perspective, I believe that action. Habitat welcomes to the table partners
worldwide. That means you will agree that Habitat is making a tre- from any faith — or from no faith — who are
willing to pick up a hammer to help improve the
we have served more than 400,000 families mendous impact in many communities, but lives of families needing decent shelter.
— or roughly 2 million people — since our the growing issue of poverty housing world-
founding in 1976. wide demands that we find ways to do more. W HAT W E D O
Habitat for Humanity organizations build,
I often try to attach such big numbers One of those opportunities comes renovate and repair houses in partnership
to something more tangible. For example, through housing microfinance programs with people in need of adequate housing.
Homeowners are selected locally by Habitat
a 300-page book contains about 75,000 designed to reach the very poor (see page
organizations based on their need for housing,
words, and 2 million people would fill 10). Habitat has recently introduced its ability to repay a no-profit loan and willingness
about 22 venues the size of the Beijing MicroBuild Fund as a means to help fami- to partner with Habitat. Loan repayments
contribute to help build and repair additional
National Stadium, where the 2008 lies who cannot afford to purchase an entire houses. Because Habitat’s loans are no-profit,
Olympics were held. Even with such a vi- house. Using housing microfinance loans, they are affordable for low-income partners.
sual connection, such large numbers can families can make simple improvements
S TAT E M E N T O F P U R P O S E
take a moment to digest. They can be over- that provide tremendous benefits. Having a Habitat World magazine is the educational, infor-
whelming. What truly amazes me, however, roof and a cement floor, for example, so of- mational and outreach publication of Habitat for
is the knowledge that behind these figures ten means better health for families — not Humanity International. Its purpose is to further
Habitat’s goal of eliminating inadequate and pov-
are individual families whose lives have to mention the relief of having a dry place erty housing as a demonstration of the gospel
been forever changed. to sleep at night. of Jesus Christ, and to raise awareness of the
issues involved in this work throughout the orga-
In this issue of Habitat World, we allow Once initial improvements have been
nization and the world community. Habitat World
made and paid for, families can make other is free to anyone who wishes to receive it.
changes to improve their housing situations.
L ET U S H E A R F ROM YOU
Over time, the lives of individual families Habitat World, 121 Habitat St., Americus, GA
are radically changed. Multiply those im- 31709-3498, habitatworld@habitat.org,
provements in a community, in a village and (800) HABITAT, (229) 924-6935
fax (229) 931-9629
in a country, and housing microfinance op-
portunities can have a tremendous impact FOR SUBSCRIPTION CHANGES
on decent housing around the world. Call the number above or email
publicinfo@habitat.org.
I hope you enjoy this unique look at our Habitat World can be read online at
affordable housing efforts, and I pray that you habitat.org and is available on request in Braille.
Circulation: 1,069,014 (estimated)
will especially be drawn to the power of one:
Copyright ©2011
the grace of the one God who grants us count-
less blessings and the ability you — as one Printed on 100 percent
individual — possess to change the world. recycled paper
2 HA B I TAT WO R L D HA B I TAT. O R G
Blueprints
p Your content guide to habitat world
fEaTUrES 18
ChriS enGel
9 strengtH in nUMBers
the figures. P A G E 2
Habitat Northern
4 Ireland supports
building in Ethiopia
Habitat advocates
1 in Washington, D.C.
2
Work begins
in Bosnia and 5 Ivy Leaguers
Build in India
Herzegovina
Volunteers
9
cycle to raise Shelter and Assessing the
awareness clean-up kit need in Japan
Habitat Paraguay
partners to reach 7 and support for 6 distribution in
indigenous
community
Habitat South
Africa
8 Habitat Malawi
Sri Lanka
3 offers construction
technical assistance
Numbers on the map above correspond to numbers in the text about the specified country.
H
abitat for Humanity priorities this year is preserving resources Habitat’s domestic and international agen-
supporters might typi- that help bolster the work of Habitat affiliates das: neighborhood revitalization, self-help
cally be more comfort- nationwide. housing solutions for veterans and military
able on a build site, This year’s Habitat on the Hill event was service members, foreign-assistance reform,
but they have become again organized by Habitat for Humanity and housing for Haiti.
increasingly savvy at International’s D.C.-based Office of “We have a new Congress this year, and
advocating for afford- Government Relations and Advocacy. More we want to build new relationships,” says
able housing. Habitat’s fifth annual Habitat than half of this year’s attendees had never Habitat CEO Jonathan Reckford. “I think we
on the Hill event took place in February, participated in Habitat on the Hill before, and have been very successful in working with
enabling U.S.-based staff and volunteers to they deemed it an overwhelming success. legislators across the political spectrum. We
talk with legislators in Washington, D.C. Workshops were followed by visits to Capitol know that Habitat for Humanity can be as
In a year that has featured a high-profile Hill offices for talks with U.S. legislators. much about changing and improving sys-
debate over the federal budget, access Staff and volunteers came from Habitat tems that enable access to decent housing, as
to decision-makers takes on increasing affiliates and state support organizations in about building and renovating homes.”
urgency. One of Habitat’s U.S. advocacy congressional districts identified as key to
4 ha b i tat wo r l d ha b i tat. o r g
Ben Skudlarek
Bosnia and Herzegovina include building in stages, room additions, A by-the-numbers look at the 2011 edition of
2 Habitat for Humanity International’s incremental housing, or the renovation or Habitat’s annual advocacy event: ‘Habitat on
board of directors has added Bosnia and repair of an existing dwelling. Partnering the Hill’ in Washington, D.C.
Herzegovina to the list of countries where with Select Financial Services Malawi,
Habitat works. Habitat will be able to assist certain catego-
Habitat operates in partnership with ries of low-income earners in the capital Global Village team from the University of
leading microfinance institution LOK. A city of Lilongwe, helping families acquire Ulster traveled to Ethiopia in 2005 to work
€13 million (about USD$18.3 million) proj- land and homes or improve their existing in a community where many families have
ect aims to serve more than 25,000 families housing conditions. been affected by leprosy.
over the next five years. With funds secured Under the terms of the partnership, “The first trip to Ethiopia was the start
from another Habitat partner, the Dutch Habitat Malawi will offer participating fami- of a life-changing partnership,” says the Rev.
International Guarantees for Housing lies recommendations of appropriate build- Raymond McCullagh, a team leader from
Foundation, LOK will offer affordable loans ing materials and methods, help with legal the University of Ulster. “The generous
to low-income families for home-improve- requirements and documents for land title, support of communities across Northern
ment purposes. Habitat will develop these simple house plans, and other assistance. Ireland has enabled us to build houses,
housing microloans and assist with hiring community and hope for some of the poor-
and training loan officers, as well as provide Ha B i tat n ort H e r n est people in the world.”
project management.
4 i r e l a n d Habitat Northern
At a later stage, Habitat and LOK plan Ireland has announced a three-year com- i n dia More than 60 alumni of
to work with condominium associations on mitment to send nearly USD$250,000 to
5 premier schools and colleges in India
loans for energy-efficient renovations. support projects in Ethiopia. The funds will and abroad worked with Habitat India in a
develop an innovative and holistic Habitat two-day Ivy Leaguers Build.
M a l aw i Habitat Malawi has program that will focus on delivering new The February build was in the village
3 started a one-year pilot partnership homes, energy-efficient eco-stoves and of Kawatewadi, Karjat, outside Mumbai.
to provide technical assistance to new part- clean water for leprosy-affected families. Volunteers, who included graduates of
ner families. This new commitment adds to Habitat notable American and Indian universities,
For many families in Malawi who live in Northern Ireland’s efforts in Ethiopia, worked with Habitat homeowners to mix
substandard conditions but would struggle which have already resulted in 150 homes. clay for cement and to lay bricks to build
to pay a full mortgage, solutions can The ongoing partnership first began after a the walls of four houses, as well as to paint
external walls. The build was part of Habitat Habitat Sri Lanka
India’s effort to provide 200 families in Karjat staff prepare
with solid, permanent homes. clean-up kits for
Special guests included Rajashree Birla, families affected
chairperson of Habitat’s IndiaBUILDS cam- by recent flooding.
paign, and Ron Terwilliger, former chair-
man of Habitat for Humanity International’s
board of directors. At the end of the build,
Birla and Terwilliger dedicated two houses
with K. Sankaranarayanan, governor of
Maharashtra state where the build was held.
“Housing is a fundamental need, which
mikel Flamm
has a direct bearing on the quality of life,”
Sankaranarayanan told The Times of India.
“Initiatives such as IndiaBUILDS will,
therefore, have a far-reaching impact on
India’s poverty alleviation crusade.” which we can use for flooring and the lantern settlement of 1,800 residents.
Habitat’s IndiaBUILDS campaign aims so we can have light in the evenings.” With support from several organizations,
to serve 100,000 families by 2015. The kit distribution, funded with a grant a group of 80 families in Cayin o´Clim
from the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission created a project that has been approved
sr i l a n K a In response to through Habitat Great Britain, is Habitat by Paraguay’s National Fund for Social
6 flooding throughout the country, Sri Lanka’s first disaster response since its Housing. The project utilizes government
Habitat Sri Lanka has distributed emer- 2005-2008 tsunami projects. housing subsidies and individual donations
gency shelter kits and clean-up kits. to relocate families to a nearby plot of land
S. Shanthirakaram is among those who Pa r ag Uay Indigenous groups donated by the Indigenous-Mennonite
received a kit from Habitat. The 46-year-old
7 in Paraguay represent roughly 2 Cooperative Services Association. Habitat
fisherman and his family of seven live in percent of the population. The more than Paraguay will provide specialized technical
a thatched house in Thiraimdhu village in 10,000 people that make up that percent- assistance to the relocating families.
Batticaloa. When the roof of their house was age often face problems with land tenure, a
badly damaged, the family relocated to a pervasive disrespect for ancestral traditions, s oU t H a f r iC a Two men,
temporary shelter for more than two weeks. and a struggle to access basic services such
8 two bikes and eight countries all add
“There was no way we could have stayed as health, education and housing assistance. up to create an adventure with a conscience.
in the house,” he says. “Not only was it Habitat Paraguay is participating in a Ricki Hodgson and Davey Du Plessis
unsafe, but I was worried for the children national project to help address the needs are cycling through Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia,
with so much water around us.” of one indigenous settlement located just Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique
Shanthirakaram’s fears were allayed when outside of Neuland. Precarious housing before heading home to South Africa in
Habitat helped to install a new roof. “I’m very conditions, overcrowding, unemployment, July. The aim of their campaign is to help
thankful to Habitat,” he says, “for providing hunger, malnutrition and lack of access make a tangible difference in the lives of the
us with the new roof, heavy plastic sheeting to clean water prevail in Cayin o´Clim, a people they meet along the way. The duo
whErE wE worK
habitat for humanity started in the united States in 1976, and today its work reaches around the world. Currently, habitat is at work in all 50 states of the united States, the district of
Columbia, the Commonwealth of puerto rico, the territory of Guam, the u.S. Virgin islands and other countries around the globe, including: afghanistan | argentina | armenia | australia
Bangladesh | Bermuda | Bolivia | Bosnia and herzegovina | Botswana | Brazil | Bulgaria | Cambodia | Cameroon | Canada | Chile | China | Colombia | Costa rica | Cote d’ivoire
dominican republic | egypt | el Salvador | ethiopia | Fiji | France | Germany | Ghana | Great Britain | Guatemala | Guyana | haiti | honduras | hungary | india | indonesia | Jamaica | Japan
Jordan | kenya | kyrgyzstan | laos | lebanon | lesotho | macedonia | madagascar | malawi | malaysia | mexico | mongolia | mozambique | myanmar | nepal | netherlands | new Zealand
nicaragua | northern ireland | paraguay | peru | philippines | poland | portugal | republic of ireland | romania | russia | Senegal | Singapore | Slovakia | South africa | South korea | Sri lanka
tajikistan | tanzania | thailand | timor-leste | trinidad and tobago | turkey | uganda | ukraine | Vietnam | Zambia
6 ha b i tat wo r l d ha b i tat. o r g
Windows on the Work
GLIMPSES INSIDE HABITAT HAPPENINGS
Africa/Middle East PO Box 11179, Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, South Africa. United States 121 Habitat St., Americus, GA 31709. Tel. (800) 422-4828,
Tel. 27-12-430-9200, AME@habitat.org (229) 924-6935, publicinfo@habitat.org
Asia/Pacific Q. House, 38 Convent Road, 8th Floor, Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500, Office of Government Relations and Advocacy 1424 K St. NW, Suite 600,
Thailand. Tel. 66-0-2632-0415, ap_info@habitat.org Washington, DC 20005. Tel. (202) 628-9171
Europe/Central Asia Zochova 6-8, 811 03 Bratislava, Slovakia, ECA@habitat.org Canada 40 Albert St., Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3S2. Tel. (519) 885-4565,
Latin America/Caribbean PO Box 1513-1200 Pavas, San José, Costa Rica. habitat@habitat.ca
Tel. (506) 296-8120, LAC@habitat.org
annah walterS
Joe Strathman
Enter Habitat World ’s
2011 photo contest
for a chance to help
build in Haiti.
S a MPlES of 2010 SUBMiSSionS
S
how us what Habitat means to you
through images that help commu-
nicate how Habitat’s mission plays
out in your experience: volunteers,
families, houses, the need that ex-
VISIT habitat.org/hw/photo_contest/2011
for everything you need to know to enter.
laurie daViS
SuZi pratt
8 ha b i tat wo r l d ha b i tat. o r g
#
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
X
Habitat Uganda’s housing microfinance
program is one example of innovations
that are multiplying the number of families
we can reach — and the types of housing
solutions we can offer. Page 10
BE A FACTOR
Habitat for Humanity believes that there is unlimited value in the safety
and security of a simple and decent place to live. Many things make
up the Habitat equation, and this Habitat World celebrates stories that
+
speak to exponential growth and new formulas for change. »
10 ha b i tat wo r l d ha b i tat. o r g
THE DUSTY, RUTTED ROAD
12 ha b i tat wo r l d ha b i tat. o r g
Subra Echum
loves the windows in
her family’s new house
best. “It was dark in the
hut,” she says, “but now
we have light.”
as true partners. That principle began with more money keeps recycling through our
Clarence Jordan, the founder of Koinonia revolving fund to help more people.” MiCRoBUilD fUnD
Farm and the creator of the partnership The goal: $50 million for housing
housing concept that gave birth to Habitat. MAKING THE CONNECTION worldwide
As Jordan wrote in the 1960s: “What the Habitat Uganda created two ways for fami-
poor need isn’t charity, but capital; not case- lies to access housing loans. First, Habitat Most microfinance institutions focus on
workers, but co-workers.” Uganda partnered with an established micro- providing low-income families with com-
finance institution, the Uganda Agency for mercial loans, so that families can start,
H OW I T WO R KS I N UGANDA Development, also known as Ugafode. or improve upon, income-generating ac-
In 2007, Habitat Uganda realized its tradi- Ugafode began in 1994 and quickly tivities. Habitat is working to convince
tional, single-family house-building model became a respected provider of microcredit these microfinance institutions that they
wasn’t reaching enough people by itself. business loans; however, it never developed should also offer housing loans. The point
To help even lower-income families, they its own housing products. is simple: make more capital available to
needed to broaden their methods. The “We knew the need was there, but families in need of decent housing.
solution: two additional housing options — it just wasn’t our expertise,” says Joseph To that end, Habitat for Humanity In-
one that focuses on homes for orphans and Tukamushaba, a Ugafode program man- ternational has launched the MicroBuild
vulnerable children and another that offers ager. “When we did customer surveys in Fund, which will provide funding and
housing microfinance. 2006 and 2007, one of the main things we technical assistance for housing im-
Andrew Sooka, Habitat Uganda’s hous- found was that our clients were diverting up provements worldwide. The initial goal
ing microfinance project manager, says the to 30 percent of their business loans to use is to raise $50 million for MicroBuild, with
incremental building approach works well for home-building.” Habitat leveraging all donations. The
in Uganda. “Previously, we were one-size- Enter Habitat Uganda. Habitat created money will be directed to responsible
fits-all,” he explains. “We had our model, and a housing loan package for Ugafode that microfinance institutions so that they can
people could take it or leave it. But now people began in early 2008. By the end of 2010, begin offering housing loans to their low-
can build as they want to, at their own pace.” Habitat Uganda had funded more than 1 income clients.
With housing microfinance, sometimes billion Ugandan shillings through Ugafode “We launched the MicroBuild Fund
change can be as dramatic as a new house (about USD$426,000), providing more than to show established microfinance institu-
that radically improves an entire fam- 700 housing loans for low-income families. tions that housing loans can be a success-
ily’s health and quality of life. Sometimes, Habitat Uganda also trained Ugafode staff ful addition to their existing efforts,” says
change is more subtle. Maybe a new roof to to evaluate housing needs and to appraise Mike Carscaddon, Habitat’s executive vice
keep a family dry and warm. Perhaps solar families’ ability to partner and pay. president for international field operations.
panels to power a home, or new access to In addition to partnering with Ugafode, Participating microfinance institutions
clean water and a sanitary toilet. Habitat decided to offer housing microfi- will match the amount of funds raised.
“Housing microfinance has the ability nance directly to families, along with finan-
to reach lower-income people in a much cial-education classes. The effort focuses on
more flexible way,” Sooka says. “The money the rural regions of the country where micro-
comes back faster, too, because these are finance institutions are not as prevalent.
smaller, shorter-term loans. That means Habitat offers loans that range from 100,000
14 ha b i tat wo r l d ha b i tat. o r g
Habitat Uganda
staffers, such as Collin
Semakula and Joseph
Bawalana at left, travel
Uganda’s countryside
by motorbike to meet
with potential partner
families, such as Ayediida
Mbagaineki, below.
office’s courtyard, so that everyone can feel allows Habitat Uganda to ensure the pro- Since 2008, Habitat
the cooling wind through the doorway. gram’s long-term sustainability — without
Using a flip chart on a tripod stand, he overburdening families. Uganda has distributed
explains Habitat’s history and its Christian Kibego ends by explaining how each more than 1,600
foundation, before moving to the housing partner family becomes an important part of
microfinance program. Habitat’s mission: “Each time you pay us on housing loans.
Kibego describes how Habitat works time, that’s money that goes into our revolv-
with each family to determine the size of ing fund that we can use for a loan to another
a loan. He emphasizes that the repayment client. Your repayments help more people in
period lasts no longer than two years so your community improve their lives.”
that payments don’t become a burden for
families. He encourages those in attendance ‘A NEW DAY’
to budget and save, and he encourages Hassim Oguta Echum is another home-
husbands and wives to make decisions owner who has both benefited from — and
together. It’s a point that Habitat Uganda contributed to — Habitat Uganda’s housing
often stresses — Habitat won’t allow a microfinance program.
husband (or wife) to sign for a loan without Hassim fled his hometown of Lira
their spouse also present. when civil war began ravaging Uganda’s
Kibego then details the repayment pro- Gulu district. He resettled his family out-
cess. Habitat Uganda includes 5 percent side the Masindi district town of Bweyale.
interest the first month, he explains, but the They built four mud-and-grass huts — one
interest rate drops to 2 percent the follow- for Hassim and his wife, zaitun; one for
ing month if the family begins using the Hassim’s parents; one for the children; and
loan and makes repayments on time. With one for Hassim’s siblings.
the costs involved in offering hundreds of He found work as a homebuilder, a
small-scale loans each year, the interest trade he became passionate about after
16 HA B I TAT WO R L D HA B I TAT. O R G
help. He hopes to add solar panels to his
house soon and perhaps construct separate
buildings for a kitchen and a chicken house.
His family has already moved into the
home. “We have our own room, and there
is privacy here,” says Hassim’s 15-year-old
daughter, Subra. “And this house has light. It
was dark in the hut, but now we have light.”
“There was continuous sickness in
the old places, squeezed in like we were,”
Hassim adds. “There, when one coughs,
everyone coughs. If one gets malaria, soon
everyone gets malaria.”
Beyond the physical and health-based Hassim Oguta Echum partnered with Habitat Uganda to build a home for his own
benefits, Hassim says there is something else family — a house that, as a self-employed builder, he takes pride in creating.
the new home has given him, something
that might not be visible in the bricks or the
mortar, but can be glimpsed in his eyes. “I people I built houses, but I was living in that
am proud now,” he says. “In life, you want [old hut], I didn’t like that feeling. I didn’t to VieW MoRe iMAgeS
to achieve a goal. Part of my goal in life is like that in my heart. But now, I have the of Habitat’s work in Uganda, read this
what Habitat helped me to achieve. Telling pride. I feel contented.” feature online at habitat.org/hw.
BleSSeD to giVe,
BleSSeD to ReCeiVe
Not every Habitat supporter gives in quite the same
way, but the far-reaching results of even the most
unexpected gifts can be life-changing for all involved.
1 Arkansas
homeowner family
I
n early 2010, Jed Hefner attended a Habitat house
dedication in Little Rock, Arkansas, for new home-
owner Eric Howard. Hefner knew Howard’s new
place well. For most of his childhood, the house had been
Hefner’s home.
gives back, literally Back in 1990, the Hefner family partnered with
Habitat for Humanity of Pulaski County to build the
first Habitat house in the county. “We moved in Dec. 20,
1990,” remembers Jed, who was 7 at the time. “I remem-
ber because I knew it was five days before Christmas.”
He and his sister, Deborah, both lived in the house
until they left for college. In 2008, their mother, Anne,
passed away. For the first time, the family’s first home was
empty. “My sister and I talked, and we each knew neither
of us were going to live there again,” Hefner explains. “So
we decided to donate it back to Habitat. It’s what our mom
would have wanted. She received help from Habitat at a
time she really needed it. The biggest tribute we could give
haBitat pulaSki CountY
18 ha b i tat wo r l d ha b i tat. o r g
2 Raising funds
in Australia to make
change in Nepal
L
works for a technology consulting firm and is also pur- ianne Manley had never gone on a Habitat build
suing an MBA. Deborah graduated from the University when she signed up to participate in Habitat Aus-
of Arkansas-Fayetteville with a degree in architectural tralia’s Hand In Hand Build, but the Sydney resi-
studies. As an intern, she was among the architects who dent quickly came up with creative ways of raising funds.
helped Habitat Washington County develop a neighbor- In spring 2010, Manley joined a group of 100 Aus-
hood in Fayetteville that won honors from the American tralian women headed to Nepal. Each of the 100 volun-
Institute of Architects. teers made a donation of A$5,000 (USD$5,078) to boost
“The interest in community architecture is definitely Habitat Australia’s campaign to help 250 impoverished
something that I’ve gotten from my years of experience women-headed households. The volunteers also paid
with Habitat,” Deborah says. And how she’s using it is just their travel to Nepal to build alongside Habitat home
another example of how she and her brother are passing partners.
on their blessings to others. Manley’s heart was touched when she first heard
“Without that house, I don’t know if I would have about the struggles faced by the women in the eastern
graduated from high school, much less college or gradu- town of Itahari. “I know how difficult things can be for a
ate school,” says Jed. “But it gave us a foundation. It’s pretty single mum to raise children and maintain a career,” she
simple, nothing fancy. But that house gave us the things says. “I found things difficult, but I had a home and an
everyone should have: your own space, safety, security. income, so I cannot remotely imagine the difficulties the
Just having those basic comforts was such a difference.” Nepalese women and their families face.”
M
Manley runs a franchise of a telecommunications com- ike Brajer started swinging a hammer at 16,
pany and capitalized on her corporate contacts — as well as volunteering at North Carolina’s Habitat Wake
her own creativity — to donate toward the worthy cause. County.
Manley started a fundraising page on Habitat Australia’s “I knew nothing about building, certainly noth-
website. Together with friend and fellow volunteer Jenne ing about fundraising, but it was the summer after my
Rhynehart, she organized raffles and sent out email appeals sophomore year, and I wanted to do something,” he re-
to corporations advertising in local newspapers and radio. calls. “I got close to a couple of the guys at Habitat here,
Of the different strategies the fundraising friends tried, and I felt great about Habitat.”
a dinner held at a Nepalese restaurant in Sydney, however, So great, in fact, that Mike got the idea that his school
was the highlight. A silent auction and donated door prizes should raise funds for the affiliate. What if Ravenscroft
entertained 95 guests, the restaurant provided a three- High School and its feeder elementary and middle
course dinner at cost, and the evening raised a total of schools managed to raise enough money to build a
A$7,800 (USD$7,922). home? And what if they spent hours building it? And
Overall, the Hand In Hand what if one house wasn’t enough?
Build aims to raise A$500,000 Mike’s vision is about to pay off. Ravenscroft has
Manley capitalized
(USD$507,800) to launch a two- raised $37,000, enough to help sponsor two homes in
on her corporate year project to help women-headed Raleigh’s Long Acres, a subdivision that is part of Habi-
contacts — as well as households in Itahari, Nepal. The tat’s Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative.
Australian funds will enable Habi- Across the United States, the vision for an NRI neigh-
her own creativity — tat Nepal to build decent and safe borhood is one that is revitalized into a vibrant, safe and
to donate toward the homes, as well as organize activi- inviting place to live through the hard work of engaged
ties aimed at improving health and citizens, partnerships and a renewed community spirit. In
worthy cause. sanitation and income generation. its first neighborhood revitalization effort, Habitat Wake
County hopes to serve as a catalyst for change in the
50-year-old neighborhood. Plans include the construc-
tion of eight new homes and the rehabilitation of five, as
well as exterior repair projects on at least 10 existing homes.
The money raised by the Ravenscroft students from
car washes, T-shirts and cutting back on things like prom
is covering the cost of land for two newly constructed
houses. And during the first weekend in March, students
— joined by Mike, now a freshman at the University of
Michigan — helped build in Long Acres.
The Ravenscroft fundraising continues. What these
students are doing is not only making a difference in the
lives of future Long Acre residents, says Habitat Wake
County executive director Kevin Campbell. It’s also set-
ChriS enGel
20 ha b i tat wo r l d ha b i tat. o r g
Court ClaYton
4
Chinese students Bao Runyuan, Sun Jiacheng, Jiao
Aijing and Jiang Meng visit with Ben Anderson at Habitat
Greater Boston’s office.
East meets
West and forges had decided to donate some of their own money —
a connection along with funds raised through their school’s chapter —
to Habitat Greater Boston.
The students presented Anderson with $530 in
B
en Anderson didn’t expect visitors on Feb. 2, American and Chinese currency.
2011 — certainly not teenage donors from Ji- “It was just an incredibly inspiring moment,” says
angsu, China. The first two days of February had Anderson. “These kids recognized the need in their own
already produced more than 10 inches of snow and country and wanted to make more of a difference there,
freezing rain, and the Habitat Greater Boston office was but they also were willing to contribute to Habitat’s work
officially closed. in a completely different place, too.”
Anderson, a leadership development officer for Habi- “We all really want to work for Habitat,” Aijing says.
tat for Humanity International based in Boston, came in “As we are teenagers, our money is limited. That money
only because he could walk to the office. At one point, he just represented our eager heart.”
went to the front door to take a look at the scene outside.
“I opened the door and saw these four teenagers,” An-
5
derson recalls. “They had been knocking, but with all the
rain and snow, I hadn’t heard them.” Virginia man
Sixteen-year-olds Jiao Aijing, Jiang Meng and Sun Ji-
acheng and 17-year-old Bao Runyuan were headed to a builds his budget
Model United Nations project in Chicago, but wanted to
visit a U.S. Habitat affiliate along the way. The students
around generosity
shared how they had gotten involved with Habitat.
“My first participation with Habitat was at a char-
I
ity show at my school,” says Aijing. “The school’s Habi- t started with a $25 gift.
tat group successfully raised over 10,000 yuan (about In 1970, a young scholarship student graduated
USD$1,520).” The show inspired the four students to from New York’s Plattsburgh State University. “I had
join the Habitat campus chapter at their Wuxi No. 1 gone to school on a couple of scholarships, which helped
High School. ease the pain of paying for a college education because my
“It was pretty amazing,” Anderson says. “It was just a folks didn’t really have the money,” Richard Semmler says.
nasty, nasty day. And then all of a sudden here are these Someone had made it possible for him to study, he says, and
kids who have hunted down Habitat’s offices in this weath- he wanted to do what he could to pass on the favor. So he
er. And they were so genuinely interested in learning how made his first donation.
they could raise more money and help more families.” “It started off as $25. That’s all I had at that point because
Anderson didn’t know it at the time, but the four high I was in graduate school.” But the gifts soon grew. “The fol-
school students had another motive. When talking about lowing year,” he says, “it was $50, then maybe $75, then $100.
fundraising, the students asked if the Boston affiliate ever Today, it’s $10,000. It’s been that way for the last 15 years.”
received international donations. They explained that It’s been so much more. In the 41 years since writing
they had all received scholarships for this trip, so they that first $25 check, Semmler — now a Northern Virginia
1
HEAR HABITAT
Homeownership gave me a place to raise my family
BY MARTHA BARNUM / New Horizons Habitat for Humanity homeowner, Americus, Ga.
SteFFan haCker
me and my family.
TO SHARE YOUR
I have a neighbor who just helped build her Habitat
THOUGHTS. house, and we’ve talked about how Habitat has given us
a chance to have somewhere for our children. We know
that the two of us are getting older and soon will leave, a chance to prove that I could be an independent person
but we are showing our children how the house can be in this community, in this society. It’s such a relief for a
something for them to have and grow on, even when person to know that they have a key to a house that is
their children are born and their children have children. going to be theirs. Ours was just a basic house. Just a
I’m very grateful that people in the community basic house, but I tell you what, love and the addition
pulled for me, and I’m very grateful that Habitat gave me that you can do it yourself make it look like a mansion.
eileen wrote:
Wow ... great story and so inspirational. Congratulations on your new home, Martha!
November 4, 2010, 10:30:44 AM
SteFFan haCker
UPDATES.
to the last several years, during which the Neighbor-
hood Stabilization Program, the National Housing
Trust Fund and the Capital Magnet Fund were autho-
rized and funded. The notable exception may be the interested in cutting international affairs spending lev-
area of housing finance, as both parties are seeking to els. This could impact Habitat efforts around the world.
reform government housing enterprises, Fannie Mae, We remain focused on advocating for U.S. policies
Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan banks. that help improve access to adequate and affordable
From an international perspective, one possible housing around the world. And we need your help. For
shift in the direction of U.S. foreign assistance could re- more information, please visit habitat.org/gov.
late to spending levels, with some members of Congress
Mat L K wrote:
Thank you for your efforts in Congress. It is a good reminder for us working in the international offices that sound U.S. housing
policy can positively impact international ones.
December 18, 2010, 11:19:32 PM
3
MARK HABITAT
A world of possibilities
BY CHRIS CLARKE / Habitat for Humanity International’s senior vice president of marketing and communications
24 ha b i tat wo r l d ha b i tat. o r g
a beginning. The stability, safety and security made pos- ing better lives and experiencing better opportunities
sible by a decent and affordable home opens up a world in simple, decent homes they helped build — and it is
of possibilities for the low-income families we serve. double where we were just five short years ago. With
Of the nearly 75,000 houses we built, rehabbed or your continued support, our work and our pace can
repaired this past year, among them was our 400,000th continue in 2011 and beyond.
house. That translates to more than 2 million people liv-
4
DISCOVER THE
ReStore helps revive hope
B Y E VA N Q U I N N / Habitat for Humanity Buffalo ReStore marketing manager
I B E G A N M Y J O B as the ReStore’s marketing manager In 2005, we opened our first ReStore in the Black
FULL RANGE OF in October and assisted in the south Buffalo location’s Rock section of the city. In four years, the ReStore
WORK THAT IS grand opening in December. The opening had special raised more than $500,000 to fund the rehabilitation of
significance for me, having grown up only three blocks 12 homes.
BUILDING AND away from the store. We’re hoping that the South Buffalo ReStore will
REVITALIZING It’s an area that is downtrodden and economically help fund the construction or repair of even more
COMMUNITIES. challenged. The number of boarded-up houses and homes for low-income families in the city of Buffalo.
businesses grows every year. We’re off to a good start. Not only is foot traffic high at
But our community is beginning to see resurgence. the new store, but donations of home goods are pour-
Habitat Buffalo’s ReStore is the first business to open ing in. We receive a variety of donated items, from
in the area in a long time. Since our doors opened, the boxes of nails to furniture.
ReStore has provided more than just home furnishings And while we’ve been able to provide some bargains
and improvement materials to the public. It’s provided to our customers, possibly the greatest achievement is
people with some hope that local commerce is return- what they have done for us — more residents than ever
ing and that the economy in this area is getting better. are getting involved in Habitat’s mission.
5
CELEBRATE
Building back better
BY VO THI TY / Resident of Quang Nam, Vietnam
Craig wrote:
Thank you for sharing your story on Haiti. I too have read ‘Unbroken’ and can certainly see the tie-in of suffering and human
dignity. Can’t imagine what it must have been like to see the aftermath of the quake. To all those willing and able to help the
Haitian people, thank you for the heart and courage.
January 12, 2011, 2:44:17 PM
william wrote:
Wonderfully written. It made me feel as close to the country of Haiti and what they have gone thru as anything I have read as
yet. Thank you for the perspective. It was moving. And thanks for the sacrifices people are making to help those who have lost
so very much.
January 12, 2011, 2:31:14 PM
26 ha b i tat wo r l d ha b i tat. o r g
7 STRENGTH I N N U M B E R S
7 WAYS YOU CAN HELP HABITAT RIGHT NOW
7 / CONNECT.
Stay up-to-date on Habitat happenings and help us
spread the word by following our social media pages.
Get started here: habitat.org/getinv/socialmedia.aspx
7
Habitat.org/getinv includes information about exciting and
fulfilling volunteering opportunities and events that can take
you around the United States and around the world.
4 / ADVOCATE.
Sign up at habitat.org/gov to register as a Habitat advocate
and to receive regular news and action alerts.
3 / VOLUNTEER.
Find your local Habitat affiliate at habitat.org/local or
your local campus chapter at habitatyouthprograms.org/
campuschapters. Habitat.org/getinv also has great tips on
WAYS YoU
Habitat programs that are always seeking your participation.
2 / DONATE.
Your generous financial gift, no matter the size, means Habitat
can reach more families and help create more decent and CAn help
hABitAt
affordable housing opportunities in your community and in
communities across the globe. Your support matters. Use the
envelope inside this issue or give through habitat.org/hwdonate.
AffiliAte Spotlight
T
B Y P H I L L I P J O r DA N
he three maps of Pater- had helped change Paterson,” says Billy Neu-
son, New Jersey, are filled mann, photographer and curator of the ex-
with pushpins. Strings hibition. “When the idea for this show came
connect the pins to doz- up, I thought let’s give everyone our history,
28 ha b i tat wo r l d ha b i tat. o r g
Habitat World is also published online at
HABITAT.ORG/HW
with additional coverage of Habitat’s work.
What will
you build?
those founders celebrating their official plished. And hopefully to reach a wider
incorporation. An old brochure trumpets audience to help us going forward.”
Habitat Paterson’s inclusion on the route of
Habitat’s 1988 “House-Raising Walk” from LASTING IMAGE
Maine to Georgia — a key moment in the Most people have a distinct image of what
affiliate’s growth. Habitat looks like to them. For one, it
More recent pieces highlight Paterson might be the wall-raising from their first
Habitat’s tithe relationship with Habitat volunteer experience. Someone else might
Kenya, as well as annual volunteer trips to remember watching an abandoned house
the U.S. Gulf Coast. Family portraits are being rebuilt on their street.
ever-present. Appropriately, a final wall de- As a photographer, Neumann’s job is
tails the many ways people can join Habitat based on capturing those images. After all
and details projects under way in 2011. he has witnessed in his 20 years of Habitat
The exhibition’s variety is intentional: service, he doesn’t hesitate when asked
The goal is to create a lot of entry points for what image first comes to his mind when
people interested in getting involved. “It’s he thinks of Habitat.
indicative of Habitat in many ways — people “It’s always a family,” Neumann says. “I
get attached to it from so many different mean, we’ve done every type of house you
perspectives,” Neumann explains. “As a fam- can imagine, different types of methods
ily, as a volunteer, as a neighbor.” and construction. But it’s really the families
“For us, this show allowed us to think that mean the most. That’s always the im-
back and assess the impact we’ve had and age that pops out. When you see someone
recognize all the people that got us here work on their house, or hold their keys
today,” Dunn says. “It’s an imaginative, for the first time, that’s the best. It’s always
tangible way to show what we’ve accom- about the families.” SHOP ONLINE
OR CALL OUR STORE
habitat.org • 800-422-5914
FieldNotes
Habitat World is also published online at
habitat.org/hw
with additional coverage of Habitat’s work.
Pioneers in Excellence
U.S. affiliates and leaders recognized for innovation in the field
W
hen more than 2,000
U.S. affiliate staff and
volunteers gathered in
Atlanta for the 2011
National Affiliate Con-
ference in March, Habitat announced its
annual Pioneers in Excellence awards.
30 ha b i tat wo r l d ha b i tat. o r g
cominghome
g
The camera captures a moment in time
looking forward
A z E A z K H L E A FAT is willing to show visitors through his old home in Ghor al Safi, Jordan — the home that has
cracks in the walls, a crumbling foundation and holes in the ceiling. But he would much rather invite guests to see the
new house that he is building next door — the one that will soon be home for him, his wife Asma and their four children.
“I want to move into our new house as soon as possible,” he says. “I want us to move into a safe, healthy place.” Khleafat
began working on a new house two years ago, but progress was slow. Last winter, he turned to Habitat Jordan. A Global
Village volunteer team recently helped him build his walls. Now, the roof is finished, too. He’s proud of the work he’s
done and happy it’s happening quickly. Once his family moves, Khleafat has plans for the old house: He wants to knock
it down and plant some trees and a small garden there instead.
P h o t o b y E z r a M i l l s t e i n
If you like keeping up-to-date on Habitat news and events from around the world …
If you want to start a conversation or leave a comment …
If you have photos, videos or personal Habitat experiences that you would like to share …
www.facebook.com/habitat
Social media is a great way to connect with Habitat and to help us spread the word.
Join our growing Facebook community and also look for Habitat on Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, and LinkedIn.
INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
121 Habitat Street
Americus, GA 31709-3498