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Habitat for Humanity International is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. Habitat seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat has built more than 150,000 houses around the world, providing more than 750,000 people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter. |
Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit, financed with affordable, no-interest loans. The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat houses. Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to a down payment and the monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor -- sweat equity -- into building their Habitat house and the houses of others.
Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need, through the Global Village programme. The Global Village Programme offers volunteers the unique and exciting opportunity to be involved in the 'hands-on' building of a house in another country. Usually at least one week is spent living and working with the local community, building together in partnership. The second week is spent in 'R&R', a chance to relax and do some regular sightseeing within the country. |
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The SIGs purpose is to assist you in finding a project to join or if you wish, advise you on how to lead your own team. Habitat SIG is a coordinating body for JET involvement in Global Village projects, and an information resource for anyone interested in Habitat. The SIG produces 6 bi-monthly newsletters with information about forthcoming projects, Habitat world news, JET Habitat experiences, travel and health advice and so on. |
We also run an email discussion list, which has over 400 members who use the list for Habitat discussion, a forum for advertising future projects.
Cheryl Sula, Niigata-ken, Habitat for Humanity Papua New Guinea Trip
Being a part of this project was exceptional because not only did I feel like my work was benefiting the family who would be receiving the house, I also felt as though I were making heart-to-heart connections with the people of Waria Valley. They appreciated our individual selves as much as they appreciated the work that we did. I can only say that I may have received more in return for my experience there... the opportunity to live in a land of brilliant colors among a beautiful people. |
Getting Involved
Any JET can get involved with Habitat, by joining the SIG, partaking in a Global Village project, or actually leading a team. As JETs we have a large amount of time free, and we teach about "internationalisation" in our schools. Getting involved in Habitat is a wonderful experience, that no only benefits the homeowners and countries we work with, but also increases our understanding of other cultures, and awareness about the need for volunteer work and organisations such as Habitat.
Download and use our lesson plan to raise awareness of our cause in your class. this lesson plan is provided in Adobe PDF format.
Kaleb Asplund, Philippines Project
"Different situations, different reactions, different thoughts. If you are looking for a vacation and an experience where you are not just another number on the elephant seat, or a bum at the bar, then you should definitely take part in a Habitat For Humanity work project."
Andrew Glazier, Fiji Project
"I had a conversation with one of the villagers which really snapped things into perspective. He explained that he had never seen the village come together as they had during our visit, staying up all night, singing together, dancing together, eating together. He said that what we were building was more then a house. It was a legend - one that would be told and retold by those present, by their children and by their children's children." |
Contact
Please contact the National Coordinator for more information on how to join the JET SIG and become involved in a Global Village project. You can also join the email discussion list, by sending an email to
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National Coordinator for the Habitat SIG
E-mail:
JET Habitat Website: www.geocities.com/habitatjapan
For more non-JET information on Habitat for Humanity please visit their main website:
International Habitat Website: www.habitat.org
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