Northlanders to Bring Hope to Cambodians
Housing Minister’s father one of the many generous Northland volunteers
Whangarei, New Zealand – July 7, 2011– Habitat for Humanity Northland announced today that it is forming a team of volunteers to help build 20 houses in Cambodia over the course of five days this spring. Volunteers from Northland will be part of the 150-member New Zealand team heading to Oudong, Kandal province in Cambodia for November 15th. There, they will join 200 international volunteers and local Cambodians as they work to build 20 much-needed houses, a multi-purpose community hall and farm infrastructure.
“Habitat’s project in Cambodia will be like our work here in the Northland, just on a much larger scale,” explains Habitat Northland Executive Officer, Adrian Whale. “We are going to work alongside families who are living in substandard housing to create a new, healthy environment for them. Having access, to affordable, decent housing revolutionizes a family’s life. This is particularly true for the Cambodian families we’ll be working with: families who are currently living on a rubbish dump.”
Habitat Northland is looking for 12 volunteers to join the team, which will be led by Glenn Kehoe from Mangawhai. No prior building experience is required: participants simply need to be at least 18 years of age, in good health and able to raise $4,200 to pay for their expenses. The trip schedule includes three days of building, one day of making bricks, and one day working at the neighbouring, sustainable farm co-operative. Volunteers also have the option of joining a five-day, organized tour of Cambodia following the build.
Roger has been involved in local Habitat house builds in Whangarei and Dargaville as well as Habitat’s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project in Cambodia in 2009. The latter, in particular, left an indelible impression on him.
“After the last Habitat build in Cambodia we joined hands and embraced the joyful owners,” says Roger. “Then, with unashamed tears, we handed over the key; not only to the door of a new home, but to a new family life: one with clean and sanitary conditions, access to schooling for the children, medical care and the promise of work nearby.”
Having found this experience so positive, Roger encouraged his wife, Ann, to accompany him to Cambodia this time. Ann says that what she is most looking forward to is meeting the Habitat partner families and doing something worthwhile to advance their situation.
About the Cambodia, “Khmer Harvest Build”
The Habitat, Khmer Harvest build will be held from November 15-19th in Oudong, Kandal province, Cambodia. Northlanders who would like to join the team, or support this project can do so by contacting the Habitat for Humanity Northland office at (09) 437 2909. For more information about this project: www.habitat.org.nz