Luke builds more than homes in Cambodia

“Of course I could’ve stayed at home this year and looked on from the sidelines but then I would’ve missed out on helping a young family living in deplorable conditions, build their own home and begin a new life with and new hope for the future,” said Luke.

Opportunities

Luke was speaking ahead of a volunteer information evening when Habitat NI will launch their international volunteering opportunities for 2013.

As well as teams it is open to any individual or small group, Habitat introduced several special builds for 2013 including a Women’s Build in Poland and a Youth Build in Romania for young people aged 16-18.

Over the last 12 years more than 4,000 people from across Northern Ireland have travelled as Global Village volunteers to some of the world’s poorest communities to help families in desperate need of safe, decent shelter build their way out of poverty.

With 1.6 billion people living in substandard housing worldwide, Habitat are under no illusion that the fight against poverty housing is over and are appealing to people to volunteer internationally in 2013.

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.

Every Habitat home is built by the family who will live there and the goal is to serve 100,000 families every year.

Having a simple home allows families to build the foundation for a secure future; a place where children can learn and grow.

Luke continued: “Being part of a team, seeing where poverty trapped families are coming from and seeing how you will help shape where their future is going, is life changing. It reaffirms the unique impact Habitat’s work has for vulnerable people.

“Having seen the need first hand I know the question of helping to eliminate poverty housing is no longer one off, will I get involved, but when. And the answer to that is now.

“I just can’t encourage people enough to find out more and volunteer in 2013.”

Encourage

As well as teams organised by Habitat open to anyone, every year groups from schools, churches, businesses or family and friends form their own team and embark on the volunteer journey together.

Habitat is hosting information sessions for individuals or groups interested in finding out more.

The next session will take place on November 22 at 7.30pm at Habitat’s new ReStore, Riverside Centre, Young Street, Lisburn.

Other dates and full details of the 2013 opportunities are available at www.habitatni.co.uk or by emailing [email protected].