Habitat for Humanity: Nepali Multiplier Effect!

"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832), German dramatist, poet & novelist

Ms. Bibi Khantung, 45 yrs, of Morang, Nepal expressed “I am considered ‘untouchable caste’ and excluded from the community. But when the Habitat volunteers came to my house and worked for more than a week, now people in the community know me. Now I become popular in the community and they visit my house and ask me several questions about volunteers. I feel very proud the Global Village International volunteers worked so hard on my house. Also now my house is named as International House.”

Habitat for Humanity likes to say we build more than houses, “we build communities!” But really, what happens is even more than that: it’s the Habitat multiplier effect! Global Village team members contribute more than just their time; they leave behind a lasting legacy and take away more than just memories.

Bold Geniuses at Work
Teams have an important long-term impact on the home partners and also on wider community. This past fall, SOS Children’s Village, a Habitat partner NGO in Nepal, hosted a Global Village team from the Shanghai American School. After getting back to their own community, one of the student volunteers reported, “The Global Village effort showed us that we can all help in our community. We have now formed a local volunteer group among our own students and have already helped other home partners build their homes and will continue to help others. Thank you to Habitat for bringing the volunteers and showing us how to work together in our own community.”

Over the past 14 months we have reported on Global Village team’s experiences in Nepal. Based on the emails we receive from people after they return home and the number of team’s re-booking for another visit we can conclude the program is a big success. But what about the impact on the home owners once the volunteers leave? Do 5, 6 or 10 days of a volunteer team’s effort have a greater effect than just the Stone, bricks, mortar and bamboo they leave behind?

It Takes a Village
Having people from different cultural and religious backgrounds invest their time and effort in homes owners provides families with a deep sense of acceptance and a greater position in their community. Habitat for Humanity International Global Village trips to Nepal give participants a unique opportunity to become active partners with people of another culture. Team members work alongside members of the host community, raising awareness of the burden of poverty housing and building decent, affordable housing worldwide. As partners, teams members help build a true global village of love, homes, communities and hope!

Sometimes when a Global Village Team starts a project in a village, the villagers are confused. “What could just a few volunteers do in such a short time?” However after staying for a week or more the locals have a different perspective. “I planned to finish my house in two months but when the volunteers came we all worked and finished the house in one week. I realized I also saved lots of money in labor costs and now I can buy furniture and household things to make my family more comfortable,” said by 40 yrs old Ms. Gita Danuwar, Kavre.

After staying for a week or more there is a bond between volunteers and communities. Volunteers and home partners exchange their love, feelings and even gifts. The people from the whole cluster gather and give a grand farewell with lots of garlands which tied a deep relationship between them. Communities where Global Village teams have worked now eagerly await the arrival of new teams and are excited about extending the Habitat for Humanity International program in their village.

Global Village team projects have received excellent media coverage in national and local media. This publicity has brought lots of requests from other communities to build their houses with Habitat’s help, and they are also enthusiastic to work with international people. Now, the news spreading from the Habitat work sites to other areas of Nepal bringing lots of demand from the community not only to get support to build houses but also to build local schools, public libraries etc. Especially community young people have started to express their interest and commitment to work with Habitat. Presently, Habitat is working in Terai southern regions of Nepal. But with the Habitat “Multiplier Effect” in full operation, we expect to be working in the hill and mountain regions soon!

Read More

Successes of 2007-08!

Looking Back
HFHI-Nepal has had an extremely successful year having served 1733 families last year. In total Habitat has served 3332 families in Nepal so far. They have grown significantly during the past year by continuing to partner with local organisations, with hosting their first Global Village teams and by continued work on improving the technologies they use.

Habitat House built on Dec 2007

Habitat set up the Bamboo Enterprise for Habitat with funding from CIDA and HFH Canada. This will enable them to promote eco friendly technology by producing bamboo corrugated roofing sheets. Habitat also received support from Singapore and Korea (KOICA) for 120 and 450 families respectively. Habitat received tithes from US Affiliates and Malaysia.

Bamboo Factory Jhapa

In partnership with Caritas International and ADRA International, HFHI-Nepal has been able to provide training to over 1000 families to provide shelter. During the past year an advisory board was set up to provide counseling and advice to HFHI-Nepal.

Habitat has successfully hosted 4 International Global Village teams and 2 local teams, these teams were involved in the construction of houses as well as learning about Habitat and the work they do here in Nepal. Habitat had 8 international and 5 local volunteers working for them during the past year. Habitat developed a database of all the families that have helped thus far.

GV Teams

HFHI-Nepal has greatly benefited from the expertise of Barry Mackey, who assisted in leading the program for six months. Habitat was blessed by the visits of Wayne from HFH Canada, Patrick from HFH Singapore and Kyle from HFH-APO. Habitat assisted families that were tragically affected by the fire disaster in the Bhutan refugee camps, they partnered with UNHCR and LWF with funding assistance from HFH-Britain.

But above all of these achievements HFHI-Nepal has been blessed by God for providing volunteers both teams and individuals who have given their time, sweat, expertise and friendship in a bid to improve peoples lives here in Nepal. Habitat has also been blessed with good will and compassion from their donors as well as creative and innovative staff.

Habitat Homepartner & her family

Looking Forwards
Based on the success of last year and using the evolving fund to a greater extend habitat aim to serve over 2000 families in the coming year. Habitat will produce bamboo corrugated roofing sheets to house more families and facilitate user-friendly, cost-effective, eco-friendly, income generating technology. Habitat will introduce pre-fabricated bamboo housing that assembles quickly, especially as a proactive step towards disaster response. They will also assist families in producing sun dried bricks and straw bale and other cost effective, eco and user friendly technologies that would make housing affordable to needy families. HFHI-Nepal promotes the cultural heritage of Nepal by protecting and uplifting traditional yet architecturally advanced technologies.

Let’s join hands to assist many families bring smiles to their faces especially to the women and children- house/home means a lot to them.

We are motivated by the belief that when a family moves to a new house that night that family praise God no matter what their religion or belief is.
“Kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righteousness, joy and peace”

Read More

HFHI Nepal hosts GV three Korean Teams successively in Jhapa

"Martin Luther King Jr. said,” Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love."

The Global Village Team of Habitat for Humanity International is an excellent way to serve the less fortunate community and connect with people across the world. Teams from the Republic of Korea have joined the people in Jhapa to work towards building better houses. Three consecutively Korean teams have helped build 5 houses in various parts of Jhapa.

The teams worked from July 10-24, July 24-31 and August 7-14, 2008. The first and the third teams worked under partnership with Samuhik Hatemalo Sewa Samuha and the second team worked with Samjhauta Nepal.

Team Members cutting, splitting bamboo and weaving bamboo wall

Everyone worked well despite the hot and humid weather to fulfill their endeavor to build homes for the community. Teams, alongside community members, home partners, Habitat staff and partner staff worked hard, cutting bamboo, splitting bamboos and weaving bamboo walls. As well as there time and effort, two teams donated money towards community service programs

The daughter of the home partner of the first team Monika Tamang 15 Yrs old shared, “Earlier, all my books would get wet and I would not be able to do my homework in the rainy days. I used to get punishments at school for not completing my task. It was all because of the leaky roof. These people have come all the way here and built a new house for my family. I will be able to concentrate on my studies finally. I am very thankful in this respect.”

The teams spent time with the community members and visited local schools, developing a lasting bond. The Nepalese and Koreans both leaned lots about each others cultures through the cultural exchange program.

The teams gave a lot to the community and were justly rewarded with a once in a lifetime experience. The teams helped Habitat continue its efforts to eliminate housing poverty worldwide.

The third team member Mr. Brian Oh expressed his experience, “The first thing that I saw in Nepal was cows walking in the middle of the road. It made me think about the worst condition of the country. But knowing the reality of the country and its poverty and adversity has made me compare it with my country. I am more determined to serve the people in need."

The month of June, July & August maybe the rainy season, but we were kept busy by the wonderful people of Korea, helping the people of Nepal. We hope that future GV teams can to serve the community so well and develop a lasting bond between countries.

Team 1

Team 2

Team 3

Read More

HFHI Nepal hosts Australian GV team in Morang

HFHI-Nepal recently completed the hosting of a Global Village team from Australia on a 10 day build in Morang district, eastern Nepal. The 11 member adult team was based in Itahari district and worked in Salakpur, Morang on the construction of two houses.

Home partner and volunteers working together

Despite the hot and humid conditions the team worked very hard, undertaking a variety of work including bamboo collecting, cutting and weaving, mud plastering, cementing and foundation filling. The program was greatly supported by partner organisation, Nari Bikash, who helped manage the program and cultural activities and provided a delicious lunch each day. It was great to also have six local volunteers work together with the team each day.

“I loved interacting with the home partners and the rest of the community. I had a great experience learning the language and getting my hands dirty and seeing the product of our hard work.” Brianna, GV Team Member

Home partners, Sabita Nepali and Bibi Khantung and their families welcomed the team into their communities and their hearts and despite the language barriers, worked together with the team to help realise their dream of a new house. It was rewarding for the team to help finish Sabita’s new home and to hear how much this meant to her to have a decent place for her family to live. Bibi expressed: I was so happy when the team came, I did not expect so many people to help work on my house. It was so hot but they worked so hard. I will always remember them and how their sweat helped to build my dream home.

mixing mortar and passing

The team were also warmly welcomed by the social welfare and preservation society who shared their culture including some local dancing with the team, and also the local school whose visit was a highlight for the team. The team also took the opportunity to visit the view point at Bhedetar and visit the local bazaar. The women also had Nepali outfits made and looked great at the house dedication in all their colours.

The final day was full of emotions as the team were thanked by the community and home partners and Sabita’s home was officially opened. Following one final dance the team sadly departed, taking with them many new experiences and memories. The team returned to Kathmandu and completed their trip with some well deserved rest and recreation in Chitwan National Park, Pokhara and Kathmandu.

“Engaging with the locals was a profoundly moving experience. I learnt so much about communication with others and the experience has altered my perceptions and approaches towards people of other cultures.” Joel, GV Team Member

The Team

Read More

HFHI Nepal hosts American School of Dubai GV Team in Jhapa

A Habitat worked by the team

Another group of enthusiastic youth volunteers from Dubai joined the HFHI Nepal Global Village Team from April 3- April 9 2008 in Satasidham VDC, Jhapa. The program was held in partnership with Sahara Nepal. There were twelve students were from American School of Dubai along with two chaperons.

The houses were made of bamboo wall, cement pillar, mud/cement plaster and CGI tin roofs .The volunteers worked on cutting and splitting bamboos and weaving bamboo walls. They also helped in mud and cement plastering for the wall. All in all, the team had a fruitful time working with the local volunteers, home partners, Sahara staffs and the HFHI Staffs.

Volunteers splitting bamboo, weaving bamboo wall and enjoying filtering sand for plastering

The teams learnt a lot apart from just building houses. Sightseeing and shopping in Kathmandu, local school visit in Jhapa and playing soccer game gave them a new experience about Nepal. The team also spent some days of rest and recreation in Chitwan and experienced the natural heritage of the country.

The entire team associated with Habitat had a truly rewarding experience. Sam Steinke, a team member, said "Today ,these home partners are entering in new house, being in a new house means starting a new life, new house may definitely bring the changes in their life ,we are so thankful to habitat providing us this opportunity to be a part of this life changing experience”

One of the home partners, Bishnu Chaudhary expressed his gratitude. he said, “I am so lucky because I got support from the volunteers coming from many countries of the world, If they had not helped me it would take more than twenty days as well as I might to pay more than four thousand rupees to complete this house, I am grateful to the Team because they finished all the work with in five days.”

The Team

Last of all, it was yet another wonderful experience. HFHI Nepal is waiting and working for more programs like this in the coming days.

Read More

HFHI Nepal hosts Shanghai American School GV Team in Itahari

HFHI Nepal organized a Global Village Program for Shanghai American School from March 22-March 29 2008. 17 students and 2 teachers participated in the program which was held in Itahari Municipality, Sunsari. The program was held in partnership with SOS Children’s Village.

Volunteers enjoying weaving bamboo wall
The team helped to build 3 houses in total. Local volunteers from SOS, the HFHI staffs and home partners worked together with the team and created a splendid team based environment to work in. These houses are made of bamboo wall, cement pillar, mud plaster and CGI tin roofs. The last day of house dedication was an emotional moment where the home partners and the volunteers shared their gratitude and experiences.

Team Leader, Jacqueline Meijar shared, “It was an incredible time for us to get knowledge on cutting and splitting bamboo as well as weaving wall with bamboo. We got the opportunity to learn about the culture, community and the life of the people. We are taking not only these learning but also the love and care of the people to whom we met.”

One of the home partners, Tek Narayan Chaudhary also expressed his happiness on the occasion. He said, “One day my daughter (she is 15 yrs old) told me, her friends used to take her in their houses but she couldn’t bring them in her house because she did not have a good house”, This was great challenge for me. SOS, Habitat and the global village team took part on carrying my burden of building a good house, now my daughter can bring her friends in her house without any hesitation”

Home Partners and team working together

Apart from the daily work, the team also got a chance of cultural exposure and sightseeing in some remarkable places in Kathmandu. The team also enjoyed interacting with the local students of SOS. It helped them learn about the Nepali community which was a complete new environment for them. It taught them a lot more than just building houses.

GV Team member Jonathan Kao reflected “It was a great trip, and I really became more aware of the issues in the world around me. Seeing the conditions others lived in helped me be thankful for the privileges I have that I normally take for granted.”

The program’s success was due to the efforts of many people, with special thanks to SOS Children’s Village for their organization and excellent support before and during the program.

The Team

This Global Village program has opened new doors to HFHI Nepal. With the help of such programs, HFHI Nepal gets new opportunities to build houses and improve lives. The organization is looking forward to more participation from teams from around the world.

Read More

KOREAN GLOBAL VILLAGE TEAM VISITS NEPAL

Habitat for Humanity International – Nepal was very pleased to welcome the Korean Global Village student team of 16 students and 1 teacher to Nepal in December 2007.They worked from 28 December 07 to 07 January 08. The team got an opportunity of magnificent exposure and experience by traveling and serving. They also left the organization with fond memories to cherish.

Volunteers enjoying the fruit of their labor
- A family assisted -

After a welcome introduction by HFHI-Nepal staff and a half day sightseeing tour where the team saw some of the stunning architectural and religious significant areas of the valley, the team boarded a plane to Bhadrapur in Jhapa district of Eastern Nepal. At the site, which was near Birtamode, the team was introduced to the home partners and met with staff from Hatemalo, HFHI-Nepal’s partner organization. After the site orientation and presentation on safety when working with the tools and bamboo construction materials the team started their work. The team had not worked with bamboo before but quickly learnt the skills required to prepare the material. Every day the team members, together with the home-partners, Habitat and Hatemalo staff and local volunteers worked hard to prepare the materials, weave the bamboo walls, and finish the concrete flooring. The work was not simple but the team hid the difficulties and worked with optimum effort. They started and ended their work with a prayer marking them all closer to the Lord.

Refining Spitted Bamboo Weaving Bamboo wall

On the final day a special house dedication ceremony was held where the participants shared their experience and thanked each other for their work. The home partners presented the team with Tokens of Love and the ribbons were cut to the two houses. The team was sad to leave the village as where the home owners sad to see them leave.

Home owner Kul Bahadur Thakuri, 75 years old male shared his feelings at the end of the program:

“Initially I had thought that only one person would come and assist only for a few days but unexpectedly a huge crowd came and helped to build my house. I have learnt from my 25 years of experience that bamboo housing is not an easy task. I was not sure if the volunteers could do the construction. But now, their work seems very professional and they are working very hard as if it is their own house.”

75 yrs old home Partner actively involved

His wife was also very sad to see the students leave:

“When you all come in the morning I feel light everywhere but when you leave I find darkness. Why don’t you purchase a piece of land and build a house here so that we can live together and I can see you forever.”

Apart from learning the construction techniques, the team accomplished in other fields as well. Despite many team members only meeting for the first time, strong friendship soon formed and the team worked very well together to complete the daily tasks. The team also visited the Swabodh Bal Bikash Kendra School where the students performed traditional songs and dance and the Korean team presented some of their own songs and Korean martial arts performance. All of the students greatly enjoyed the interaction. We were very pleased to receive a visit from the Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Narendra Bikram Nembang who was impressed by the volunteer’s work and thanked them for their contribution.

The Team

The volunteers’ effort was duly recognized and covered by the medial as well. Articles about their efforts were published in the local and national dailies like Kantipur national Daily, Mechi Times, Purbanchal, Bivechana, Jana Samshad and Samacharpatra. They were interviewed about their reasons behind coming to Nepal. The media persons themselves were impressed by the work the Koreans had put up. Moreover, the coverage by Nepal Television was also extensive and informative. All these published items were an appreciable gesture and further motivated everyone involved in the housing program. This is great testament to the students’ hard work and also the effort from the home partners and local volunteers.

It was an honor to have the Korean Global Village Team visit Nepal and work together on achieving Habitat’s goal of ensuring people to have a decent home to live.

Read More