Ministry and Mission of Habitat for Humanity

The ministry of Habitat is both to those receiving houses and to the volunteers who, as they work side by side with partner families, gain insight about poverty, justice, living simply, service, and their faith. Habitat for Humanity is a Christian-based organization that ecumenically serves all people regardless of their religion or lack thereof.

Reflection is an important part of our mission trip, so we build in time to discuss, journal, share, and worship. Traditionally we begin our GV days with devotions. In the evening the team gathers to review the day's activities, and each person has the opportunity to share feelings and discuss issues and concerns.

The ecumenical spirit of Habitat is inclusive of all faiths, beliefs and religions. This trip is not a mission of evangelization or conversion. Rather, we put cultural sensitivity above our own  personal needs. 

Trip Reports

Reports are available from all of the Columbus Global Village Team mission trips including:

• Ghana, Africa in January 2005
• Amecameca, Mexico in January 2006
• Livingston, Guatemala in July 2006
• Na Toey, Thailand in January 2007
• San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic in July 2007
• Tarija, Bolivia in February 2008
• Guayaquil, Ecuador in June 2008

Working on Site

All Global Village Team members are volunteers. Our tasks will depend on the phase of construction in progress during our team’s stay at our host community. Scheduled work may be delayed due to material deliveries, tropical rainstorms or other unusual emergencies. However, what is equally important is the partnership with local Habitat families that will grow as we build together.

HFHI affiliates in developing nations often have little in the way of machinery, and renting such equipment would only drive up the cost of a home. Affiliates may not even have enough wheelbarrows or other basic tools. Expect to perform more manual labor than skilled building tasks on this trip.

In much of the world, Habitat homes are made of cement blocks, steel reinforcement bars, and tin roofs. Global Village teams might find themselves:

• Hauling (often by hand) dirt, sand, gravel, water, cement blocks, bags of cement, etc
• Clearing and leveling a site
• Digging footers, trenches, wells, latrine pits, etc.
• Tamping the foundation
• Forming the rebar structure, including cutting, bending and tying the bars
• Mixing cement or mortar
• Laying cement blocks or bricks; filling and finishing masonry joints
• Installing doors and windows
• Finishing slab floors
• Daily site management and cleaning, including assisting with a physical inventory of construction materials

Please be patient with the process because the local construction supervisor(s) can train only a limited number of volunteers at a time. Be aware of different work styles and methods. Habitat welcomes all suggestions, but we also strive to empower communities so they can make their own choices.

Teamwork

For two to three weeks our Global Village team will be very close -- initially close in physical proximity, and growing closer throughout the trip as friends and co-workers. We will come to rely upon each other for support, ideas, assistance and confidence. Some characteristics that will help members to fit well on the team include:

• At least 18 year of age
• Physically fit enough to enjoy eight to twelve full days of hard work, often in hot or humid conditions
• Willing to employ an appropriate exercise plan to prepare for this work
• Sensitive to the needs and issues of other team members, Habitat families, and unfamiliar communities
• Open minded and communicative
• Aware and accepting of widely divergent cultures, races and religions
• Abstinence from alcohol during the trip other than for ceremonial purposes

Photo courtesy of Mike Schwebag

Cultural Activities

Our trip will include Sundays off and will conclude with a day of cultural experiences, sightseeing and/or other activities based on the particular region to which we are assigned. These activities will focus on increased cultural awareness, such as trips to schools, clinics and cultural and historical memorials.

Join us and you will find that your next vacation can be a very different kind of adventure travel!

Tax Deductions

Habitat for Humanity International will send a tax acknowledgement letter to everyone who makes a payment or donation via check, money order or credit card with additional details about tax deductibility. Generally, a participant can deduct a portion of her/his payments if she/he itemizes their year-end tax return, to the extent that "there was no significant element of pleasure in the trip". Other supporters may often claim a full deduction because their support is considered to be given to Habitat on an unfettered basis (as opposed to supporting only an individual.) Please consult with a tax specialist concerning your specific situation.

Cancellation Policy

Please read the Habitat for Humanity Global Village Payment Policies and Procedures document. Among other things, you will learn that if you cancel more than 45 days prior to departure, HFHI will credit your payments toward another GV trip within one year. Cancellations within 45 days of departure will result in all of your funds going to HFHI to meet current obligations.

If HFHI must cancel, they will attempt to place you on another trip or you may receive a full refund. HFHI cannot compensate you for any other expenses such as unusable airfare.

Neither HFHI nor Global Village can be responsible for accidents, missed or rescheduled airlines, missed or rescheduled ground transportation, and/or any situations that prevent a participant from joining his/her team. Each participant is responsible for additional expenses incurred. If you are en route to your destination and find yourself in a bind, please call HFHI who will do everything they can to accommodate you.