Kiwis wanted to help build homes in Nepal, this November

7 July 2015

Kiwis wanted to help build homes in Nepal, this November

Habitat for Humanity New Zealand is offering the “opportunity of a lifetime” for every-day New Zealanders to travel to Nepal and help build 100 homes, this November.

Habitat New Zealand chief executive Claire Szabó said the invitation was open to any adults who would like to make a difference for people who “desperately need a decent place to live.”

The building will take place 2-6 November 2015 in Pokhara, Nepal's third largest city and home to three of the 10 highest mountains in the world.

Ms Szabó said Habitat was seeking 200 New Zealanders of all ages and levels of experience to build alongside Nepali families and other international volunteers, aiming to complete 100 houses in one week.

“People who've travelled to previous Habitat builds in Nepal overwhelmingly tell us it was a life-changing experience,” she said.

No construction experience was needed, as full training and supervision would be given by Kiwi team leaders. The $6200 cost covers flights, insurance, accommodation and meals during the building period, as well as a contribution to building costs in Nepal.

The families who will be selected to move in to the new homes may be living in insufficient housing - often squatters' conditions - and often with poor access to water and sanitation. Habitat will be building permanent homes using treated bamboo framing and other simple materials.

Pokhara is located 200 kilometres north-west of Nepal's capital, Kathmandu.

All information, including how to join a team is available at www.habitat.org.nz.

The experience will be led by former USA President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn. Carter Work Projects have been held in 15 countries including the United States, Mexico, Canada, Hungary, South Africa, South Korea, India, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, China, Laos, Vietnam and Haiti. In 2014, the Carter Work Project was held in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas.

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