Autumn newsletter 2013
Building a better world
In this issue: The impact of our work
Don’t just see the world, change the world
See how you’ve helped build a new community
The enormous impact of our work
Our family album We always love to hear stories about how our supporters are building a better world. Email your submissions to celebrate@habitat.org.au
“It has always been one of my passions to help people create better lives for themselves and their children.” – Jon
“The house dedication on the final day was such a highlight – just to see the relief and elation on the faces of the entire family as they entered their new home.” – Sophie Levins, Global Village team leader
“The project in Dhaka is a totally new approach to helping people improve their living conditions because it is about empowering them to make changes - it’s my job, but it’s their life, and it’s great to be a part of that.” Becoming CEO of this incredible organisation means the world to me, and I am both humbled and excited at the prospect of leading such a dedicated and enthusiastic group of people.
play on its dry and even surface – these moments always bring home to me the enormous impact of the work we are doing, and how the simplest things can completely turn someone’s life around.
Having been a part of a number of home-building trips to Asia in the past – just like the ones you will read about in this newsletter – I have had the very great privilege of meeting many of the families for whom we strive to provide safe and decent housing. And I can tell you firsthand that their courage and determination to literally build a better future for their families, brick by brick, is quite something to behold.
It has always been one of my passions to help people create better lives for themselves and their children. And as you will read on pages 8 and 9, that work includes building homes for families right here in Australia. In fact, the Bidwill Estate project has built an entire neighbourhood! I think we can all be very proud of this achievement.
Watching families step into their new home for the first time, the parents and grandparents quietly taking in the solid concrete floor and waterproof walls that will save them so much work in repairs, the children settling quickly down to
I love the fact that there are so many ways that you show your support for Habitat: from our annual high teas and gala dinners, to sending regular donations – and of course volunteering to build houses alongside families in the field.
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In these pages you will find many examples of the fantastic work being done by Habitat for Humanity Australia, thanks to people like you.
– Scott, Habitat for Humanity Australia, working in Bangladesh
I hope you will enjoy the read, and join me in congratulating each and every family who was able to move into a new or repaired home in 2012. Not only do they represent what can be accomplished with hard work and determination, they are living proof that it really is possible for us to build a better future!
“The locals are so friendly and we built some great friendships in two days, especially with the family we were building for and the children of the village. The experience of changing someone’s life for the better is something that is irreplaceable and priceless.” – Clementine, Global Village volunteer, Indonesia
Of course, none of our work would be possible without the passion and commitment of our loyal supporters. Jon Blackwell, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Australia
“Sakuntala’s spirit truly and deeply touched our hearts, and our lives are richer for this experience.” – Louise Cutler, Hand in Hand volunteer, Nepal
Building a better world
Building a better world
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Solid foundations build a brighter future Families celebrate the New Year with renewed hope - in their new homes
Thanks to you, the Long An project is building healthier homes – and better futures – for families in Long An, a disaster-prone province in Vietnam. In Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region, extreme weather conditions are part of daily life. Families live in constant fear of losing their homes and livelihoods due to flooding and other natural disasters. In coastal areas like Long An, living each day at the mercy of the elements has created an urgent need for stronger homes. “We cannot get dry for many weeks” When we first met Hung, his wife and their five year old grandson, they were living in a thatched house with palm fronds for walls. It was impossible for them to stay dry and healthy during the monsoon season, and Hung would need to stop work for long periods after each flood to rebuild his home. “The floodwaters come into my house. Sometimes it gets so deep that all our tables, chairs and drawers float in the water. We have to run out and sit on our roof, sometimes staying up there all night.” You helped change their future With the help of our supporters a team was sent to Long An, who worked with Hung to build a house with solid foundations that will protect him and his family for many generations to come. “Our house was always getting destroyed and degraded,” Hung 04
told us. “But now we have a home that doesn’t have to be rebuilt every season from palm fronds. I cannot believe that this is happening in my lifetime – that we are actually going to have a real home!” Sophie Levins, Habitat for Humanity Australia’s Global Village team leader, travelled to Long An with the team that helped Hung and seven other families build new homes. “One of the great things about this project was watching families play an active role in building their own futures. We weren’t giving them handouts – they were involved every step of the way, helping choose the materials and adapt the design. Even Hung’s grandson helped us paint the roof tiles! It was wonderful to see something so simple totally change people’s lives.” Your support has been crucial • The Long An project has now built or repaired homes and toilets for more than 169 families, and trained over 452 people in basic hygiene and sanitation to improve community health. And still needed • But there are still many more families that urgently need a weather-proof home.
Vietnamese New Year, also known as ‘Tet’, is one of the most important holidays in Vietnam. It is also known as the Spring Festival, as it is considered to be the first day of Spring. Families clean their houses, cook special foods, and pay visits to people’s homes. They also make pilgrimages to temples and worship their ancestors. This year Tet was held on 10 February, and is a time to forget the troubles of the previous year and look forward with hope for the year to come. For seven families in Long An, this New Year was a special one, as they were able to celebrate in their new homes - homes that you helped to build. In fact, more than 500 families will have a safer and healthier 2013 thanks to your support. So thank you again - and Happy New Year!
Empowering communities from the inside With the help of our supporters, we are working to improve the lives of thousands of families living in deplorable conditions in the slums of Dhaka in Bangladesh In the slum 3,500 people are struggling to survive under impossible conditions. Families are literally living on top of each other, without proper sanitation, ventilation or basic security. The flimsy structures are not built to withstand natural disasters, so whenever a fire or flood sweeps through the camp many families lose their homes, belongings and livelihoods. Families have said that it is safer for them to go to the toilet in the drain outside their home than the distant toilet blocks, especially at night. To help with this Habitat for Humanity
To make a donation to Habitat for Humanity Australia’s work building safe and decent homes, visit our website: www.habitat.org.au Building a better world
Building a better world
is upgrading the existing toilet blocks to make them safer, and building more toilet blocks so they are more accessible. It’s thanks to you Because of the generosity of our supporters, we have established an Urban Improvement Project. The project will bring increased safety, security, and hope to the lives of slum dwellers like four-year-old Priya and her family. This includes teaching families ways to make their homes more secure and better equipped to survive the elements, as well as installing extra water collection points and covering open sewers. Creating a better future Priya lives in Dhaka with her parents, Afsana and Kamal, in a one-room house her mother inherited.
“We live in very bad conditions,” Asfana told us. “Our house is damp, dark, and highly congested – there is no room for fresh air and I have to cook inside on an open fire. My daughter and I often suffer from colds. Our home has no bathroom so we have to queue at the public toilet and share the showers with everyone else – men and women together. It isn’t very safe.” It’s the only life they have ever known, but thanks to people like you we will be able to give Priya a healthy life with a smoke free home and access to clean water and the future she deserves. It’s not too late to make a donation to help the people of Dhaka – visit www. habitat.org.au/donate/bangladesh to make a gift today
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Nepal: the Hand in Hand project
The Grand Finale Local builders, families and Global Village volunteers continued to build the rest of the homes. In March 2013, 60 volunteers travelled to Nepal to help to build the final five homes. Lianne was one of them.
The project
“I jumped at the chance to be part of the Hand In Hand Finale. I hoping to see Tara and Sakuntala again, and on our first night they surprised us at the welcome dinner amidst many hugs and tears. These two women, who were shy when we last met, were full of energy and confidence.
Our Nepal project, Hand in Hand, was launched in 2011 to help give 250 female households safe homes, improved health and better incomes.
A few days later, Sakuntala met us jangling a set of keys. She walked over (giggling with happiness) to a roller door and ever so confidently opened HER shop! We were speechless! Here was a woman with nothing to call her own two years ago, now with her own business. Tara had added an extension on her house so the children have extra space to do their homework, and has a wonderful vege garden. Her children were fit and healthy, and her dream of having her children educated was a reality - her eldest girl will finish school this year then continue studying to become a nurse. This is a major achievement for anyone in Nepal where less than 15% of children finish school.”
The first build Timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, our first build sent 100 Australian women to Nepal to build 10 homes.
“Your donations have done amazing things for the people of Itahari, Nepal, and I have been honoured to have met these amazing women. They have shown how giving so little can change not only one person’s life, but a whole family – change that will continue for generations to come.” – Lianne, Hand in Hand 2011 & 2013 volunteer
The women did a fantastic job of fundraising – in fact, due to their hard work and the incredible generosity of our supporters, they raised enough to help build homes for another 50 women. “I was to work on building a house for a woman called Sakuntala and her 5 five year old son, Prajwal. Sakuntala had been deserted by her husband whilst she was pregnant and was getting by selling snacks to the local school children. Her house was literally a tin and mud shed. Parts regularly fell off and during the monsoons it flooded, turning the dirt floors to mud. By the end of the week, we had built these women a safe home with sanitation and a well for water. As part of the micro finance project, the team from Habitat Nepal would be helping to ensure the children were educated and checking on their welfare. We left feeling proud of what we accomplished and could see how their confidence grew each day of the build and how VERY proud they were of their new homes.” – Lianne, Hand in Hand 2011 volunteer
One of our volunteers, Jenne Rhynehart, was assigned to Tara’s house. A tiny, frail woman who looked so much older than her years, her husband had died of tuberculosis. This left Tara to raise four children on her own. She had a roof over their head - a tin one - but it had no walls and a mud floor. Her dream was a safe home where her children could do their homework. Thanks to the Hand in Hand project, Tara and her family now have a safe home and a brighter future.
“I spent five and half decades of my life in an insecure place. I used to pray to God to provide a house with a secure door that I can lock when I leave for work and when I sleep at night. My prayer has been answered and I am very lucky to be a beneficiary under the Hand in Hand Event.” – Phuleshori, Hand in Hand home recipient
Take a bow - you deserve it! Thanks to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved, the Hand in Hand project built 306 homes - an outstanding success! Also, over: • 246 people completed construction training • 106 tube wells were installed • 179 women completed micro-enterprise training • 117 women completed financial management training • 181 women accessed small business loans • 231 latrines were installed • 217 community members completed health, hygiene and sanitation training
What’s next? We are currently in phase one of a water and sanitation project in Nepal, working with ex-Kamaiya or freed bonded labourers and their families, to build safe homes and new communities.
To see more, visit our photo journal online at www.habitat.org.au /nepalnews 06
Building a better world
Building a better world
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You’ve helped build a whole new community in Australia Did you know…? It’s not just projects overseas that your donations help make possible. Since 2007, the Bidwill Estate project has been helping Australians build homes – and better futures – for themselves and their families, right here in our own backyard.
“Habitat for Humanity threw us a lifeline and we grabbed it with both hands.” – Tamara-Rae
The Bidwill Estate project is part of Habitat for Humanity NSW’s plan to provide more than 50 safe and affordable homes for families who lack the financial or physical capacity to buy or build a home for themselves.
Westpac, Hometrack and BNY Mellon come together over two weeks to help build Tamara-Rae and John’s new family home. The days were spent in the heat lifting trusses, building walls, digging and painting. On the final day a dedication ceremony was held and the family were handed the keys for their new home. Tamara-Rae, John and their children enjoyed cutting the ribbon, and the children spent the afternoon playing with their new neighbours. They joined eight families and 22 other kids in the same complex with safe and decent homes.
Lucky last Tamara-Rae and John, partners for “We have had a tough life but we stay 21 years, are the final family to build positive,” Tamara-Rae says. “Having a house in the Bidwill complex. With to move house was a constant fear, seven children to support, they as the question was always, ‘where turned to Habitat for Humanity NSW to and what will the house be like?’. for a loan after losing their home and all their savings when an interstate job We had to move out of a white-ant infested house only to drive by to see offer failed to materialise. it demolished. In November 2012, the Capital Markets Build saw volunteers from a A big thank you to all our supporters number of organisations including who have helped build this new QBE LMI, Habitat for Humanity community over the past six years Australia’s Foundation partner, we couldn’t have done it without you.
“We have had a tough life but we stay positive,” says Tamara-Rae. “Moving houses is a constant fear as the question is ‘where to and what will the house be like?’” Your support has ensured that Tamara and her family have the priceless security of a home to call their own.
MEET THE NEIGHBOURS Meet some of the other families we’ve housed on Tamara and John’s street. Each family took part in building their new homes alongside Habitat for Humanity volunteers, and are very grateful for the generosity of our supporters who made this new community possible. 08
The Abednego-Daus After fleeing war torn Sudan, Chol and Matha now have a safe home and hope for their family’s future.
Building a better world
The Stuarts We built a solid, secure home for ‘overjoyed’ Terese and her four children.
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The Browns A new home has given this young couple space to raise their family in a place of their own.
The Harts For Rhiannon Hart, her new home represents a place to focus on raising a stable, healthy family.
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Hearts go out to lend a hand “Both of my sons are the apple of my eyes. I can sacrifice this long journey of my life because of them. I have put all of my energy and spirit for these two boys, with the firm hope that they can live their lives in a bright future after me.” – Kem Chhunheng
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High Tea early bird registrations are now open!
Your help meant we were able to change the lives of men and women like Kem, whose love for her family and determination to build them a better future inspired everyone who took part in our recent Hands and Hearts project in Cambodia. In November 2012, a team of Habitat for Humanity Global Village volunteers went to Cambodia to help the locals build new homes for 140 families affected by HIV/AIDS. One of the people our team helped build a house for was a brave and inspiring woman named Kem. Helping a mother’s wish come true Kem’s husband passed away just two months after finding out he was HIV positive. Soon after being widowed, Kem was told that she and her children were HIV positive as well. Despite these incredible setbacks, she continued to work as hard as she could.
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Kem earns just enough money to support her children, and says she reminds herself every day of the responsibility she has to give them the support they need to live as healthy and as long as they can, and to be given the opportunity to experience better lives. “I have put all of my energy and spirit for these two boys, with the firm hope that they can live their lives in a bright future after me.” We did it – thanks to you In November Kem met Global Village volunteer Safiah Moore. Together, they worked side by side to build Kem the home - and the future - she had dreamt of for her sons. For Safiah, it was an incredible chance to work with local people to create something tangible and life-changing. “The highlight of my experience was spending time with Kem and her boys throughout the week,” Safiah says. “Kem is such a strong lady and it was beautiful to see her work so hard alongside us and be so proud and happy about her new home.”
Be amazed by what you’ve helped us to achieve So far the Hands and Hearts project has built 16 homes, provided taps and wells to 32 families, and electricity to eight. Ten homes have also been repaired or renovated and 16 toilets have been constructed. And there is still more to come, as we upgrade and repair more homes.
The hugely successful High Tea for Habitat is back again this September, and we are looking for supporters to host their very own High Tea. You can host a high tea any time during September – at home, in a park, at a café, at work, or anywhere that’s easy for you. Just invite friends, family and work colleagues to share some special treats and donate the money raised to Habitat for Humanity Australia. It’s simple and fun to do. Whether you prefer a glass of champagne and petit fours with friends, a cup of Earl Grey and a scone with your family, or even a bloke’s breakfast with a mug of English Breakfast – you can make High Tea for Habitat work for you.
“The Hands and Hearts project in Cambodia was an invaluable experience,” Safiah says. “Together with the family, the local workers and translators, brick by brick we built a home and friendships that I hope will last a lifetime.” Hands and Hearts is an ongoing project, and there are more than 100 homes still to be built . If you’re interested in volunteering to help build a home for a family, call 1800 88 55 99, email: global.village@habitat.org.au or register your interest online at habitat.org.au today. If you would like to make a donation, please visit our website to find out more. Building a better world
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You can raise money at your high tea in lots of ways:
* Ask for a donation or a ‘ticket price’ to attend * Hold a raffle or auction at your event your local café or restaurant and ask them to host a * Contact high tea with a percentage of the proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity Australia
* Have a high tea trolley travelling around at work and sell the delicious treats your colleagues have made! “A cuppa with friends, well there’s really nothing finer. To raise money at the same time, I couldn’t think of anything kinder!” - Debra, High Tea for Habitat host 2012 Building a better world
Early bird registrations are open now – all you have to do is go to www.habitat.org.au/hightea to register online, or call 1800 88 55 99.
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Thanks to our supporters and volunteers, 2012 was quite a year!
309
8,102
new homes were built for people across Asia & Australia
401
Global Village volunteers travelled overseas to build homes.
people were trained in essential life skills.
402
285
people accessed micro-finance loans.
155
toilets were installed to improve hygeine.
homes were repaired to make them safer.
For the full annual report please visit www.habitat.org.au
Together we can build a better world
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