Kids build houses and gain understanding of housing issues

PRESS RELEASE

Tuesday 01 October

Kids build houses and gain understanding of housing issues

During the school holidays, children throughout New Zealand will get the chance to build houses out of LEGO® while learning about what communities can do to tackle New Zealand’s substandard housing issues.

Habitat for Humanity’s Build Challenge saw an incredible 1,060 children around the country build amazing LEGO® houses in the 2012 Build Challenge. The national charity is aiming for even more children and their families to become involved this year.

The Habitat for Humanity Build Challenge runs from 28 September until 27 October and is fronted by Habitat for Humanity characters ‘Harry and Holly.’

Children can enter the challenge by joining one of the fun local events held in 14 locations across the North and South Island during the second week of the school holidays. Children can also build a LEGO® house on their own at home and enter the contest online.

Habitat for Humanity’s Build Challenge purpose is to raise awareness of housing problems in New Zealand and around the world. Through the fun campaign, children and their families learn about real-life housing needs and the importance of a safe, warm and healthy home where families can thrive.

“Habitat regularly engages with children, through this annual Build Challenge and through our ongoing high school programme. Our aim is to educate young people and their families, in a fun way, about New Zealand housing issues while hopefully fuelling a passion for helping others that grows as they grow,” explained Resource Development Manager of Habitat for Humanity Central North Island, Karlijn Nelissen.

Cold, damp and overcrowded homes as well as housing affordability are major challenges our communities face in New Zealand. One third of New Zealand homes show visible mould and many houses are considerably colder than the minimum 18 degrees recommended by the World Health Organization.

“Through our home building scheme and our essential repair programme Habitat for Humanity is working hard to tackle these challenges,” Karlijn Nelissen said.

The Habitat for Humanity Build Challenge is a great way for children to have fun while doing something for a good cause.

All the LEGO® houses built during the campaign will feature on the Build Challenge website. Children can encourage friends and family to vote for their house and be in to win a range of LEGO® prizes.

To join the Build Challenge, children can register on www.buildchallenge.org. To check out local event locations, go to www.buildchallenge.org/events.

-END-

© Scoop Media