P O Box 829
Whangarei
Tel: +64 9 437 2909
Our Builds
Three Builds complete in Dargaville
It is a humbling experience to play a part in helping a family move into their own home, especially when a year earlier it seemed an impossible dream. The 11 March dedication of Lee and Cossalina’s four bedroom home in Dargaville also marked the homecoming of their baby girl. As Lee shared from his heart, the emotions bubbled over.
“Poverty aches. It causes a hurt deep inside when I know I can’t give to my children what they need. It leaves an invisible mark, a stigma,” Lee said. “We’ve just been living day-by-day. It’s so easy to give up hope that things may get better. But I know being poor has changed me. I now feel the pain of others who are broke and hurting. Where there was a heart of stone, there is one of flesh.” “Thanks to Habitat we have a second chance through this new house. It’s a foundation from which we can start again. It feels like the gift of a new life, a gift we can share with others.”
Helping with the main part of the build last November was a Global Village team of 12 volunteers from the USA, led by Gary Voirol from Phoenix, Arizona. He sang the praises of his team and they loved the friendliness of the local volunteers.
‘We lived, ate, and worked together like we were all old friends. The entire experience from the welcome reception to the farewell dinner was remarkable. Staying at the outstanding Greenhouse Backpackers added to our enjoyment as it enabled us to experience the local flavours. I would lead a team to Dargaville again at any time!
This is the third house that we have completed in Dargaville. In mid-February 2010 Villiami and Robyn Aloua moved into their brand new house and on 12 June 2010 we dedicated a house for Melanie and Eric Russell.