Today is International Volunteer Day, a wonderful opportunity to thank the hundreds of volunteers who have partnered with Habitat for Humanity, helping families in need build their way out of poverty.
Volunteers play such an important role in our vision of a world where everyone has a safe, decent place to live. Volunteers bring their labour and fundraising and the powerful message that the poor are not forgotten.
Habitat NI Chief Executive, had this message for volunteers:
“Many of Habitat building programs could not survive without the hundreds of volunteers that mix cement, lay bricks, and hammer nails alongside homeowner families every year. It’s wonderful to mark this day internationally and giving recognition to and thanks for all the great work volunteers do.”
Every year more than 25 teams travel from Northern Ireland to communities in need worldwide, with Habitat serving a family every 8 minutes, through new house construction, rehabilitation and house repairs.
One such team is the Global Village team from the parishes of Gilnahirk Presbyterian and St. Colmcilles are committed to the Habitat vision, embarking on a journey of building homes alongside families in need.
The inspirational partnership between these two Churches began with the team’s first trip to Botswana in 2000 to mark the Millennium. 11 years on and six Global Village trips later it is evident this cross-community, cross faith, team have grown to be much more than volunteers or token friends. The teams have become an icon of building community at home through their global service.
To read more about the team click here