Mahalapye, Botswana
April 3–16, 2010
Have you ever dreamed of Africa—of experiencing the food, cultural festivities, breathtaking scenery and safaris? This is an opportunity to not only explore Africa’s wild landscapes and diverse culture, but it will also be a life-changing experience. We will lend a helping hand to a family in need, constructing a few houses in Mahalapye. Help Botswana Habitat for Humanity combat substandard housing by partnering and building a new home with a family in need. Partake in this adventure of a lifetime to Botswana!
About Botswana
The Republic of Botswana is situated in southern Africa, nestled between South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia. The climate is semiarid, with warm winters and hot summers. Botswana is three-quarters desert and one-quarter near-desert, with salt lakes in the north and hills in the east, where the majority of the nation's population lives.
Botswana is the largest exporter of gemstone diamonds in the world and is a large beef exporter to the European Union. In recent years, economic development has resulted in the addition of public schools and health clinics. Still, the nation's unemployment rates reach as high as 40 percent, and many of its citizens live in poor conditions, unable to afford decent housing.
Often described as Africa's fastest-growing city, Botswana's capital, Gaborone, is a vibrant and colorful place in the flat valley between Kgale and Oodi hills, on the Notwane River in the southeastern corner of Botswana.
About Habitat for Humanity Botswana
Habitat for Humanity Botswana began in 1991 at the invitation of former president, Sir Ketumile J. Masire. The first affiliate offices were in Ghanzi, Francistown, Kanye and Kasane. HFH Botswana is now working in 17 communities.
As of June 2008, HFH Botswana built approximately 1,717 houses, which means 1,717 families, or roughly 6,868 people, have experienced the love of God by living in decent, affordable shelter.
Types of construction for volunteers
There are three sizes of houses constructed by HFH Botswana. The average house size is 34 square meters, and the houses are made of cement-stabilized blocks, cement floors and iron sheet roofing. All the houses have external pit latrines, which considerably improve health.
Apart from constructing a house, HFH Botswana also helps families with home improvement by renovating or extending existing houses, depending on the partner family’s need.
Innovative new projects in Botswana include flood relief housing in Kumakwane village; a partnership with the Botswana Council for Refugees and UNHCR for the Dukwi Refugee Project; and the establishment of the HFHB-Debswana (Jwaneng mine) Housing Project Partnership, among others.
Standard Itinerary
(14-day itinerary)
Day 1 , Saturday, April 3: Depart for Botswana.
Day 2, Sunday, April 4: Travel day.
Day 3, Monday, April 5: Arrive in Gaborone; greeted at airport by HFH Botswana staff; transport to lodge; dinner with HFH Botswana national office staff; overnight in Gaborone.
Day 4, Tuesday, April 6: Breakfast at hotel; welcome and orientation at national office; travel to host project site with HFH Botswana staff; dinner and brief orientation with project staff.
Days 5–7, Wednesday–Friday, April 7–9 (typical workdays): Breakfast served before traveling to work site; work from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. with lunch on site; free time after work to clean up; dinner; time for team activities.
Day 8, Saturday, April 10: Breakfast served before traveling to work site; half-day workday on build site; cultural experience in the community.
Day 9, Sunday, April 11: Visit local church; other cultural activities (vary based on host project location).
Days 10–12, Monday–Wednesday, April 12–14: Breakfast served before traveling to work site; work from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. with lunch on site; possible visit to local school for half-day, if appropriate; free time after work to clean up; dinner; time for team activities.
Day 13, Thursday, April 15: Farewell celebration; travel to Gaborone; free time; dinner and overnight in Gaborone.
Day 14, Friday, April 16: Depart for home.
Accommodations
The team stays in a lodge or guesthouse, typically in double-occupancy rooms with shared bathrooms and toilets.
Trip cost
$1,750
Trip cost includes: donation to the Habitat host program and HFHI; meals; accommodations; transport (excluding trip participant air fare); medical emergency evacuation and trip cancellation insurance; some local cultural activities; team coordination and orientation materials. The team leader’s trip cost and estimated air fare may be included in the trip budget. The trip cost does not include trip participant air fare, R&R activities or visa and exit fees (not applicable for all destinations).
Team leaders
Kris Wangsadiputra and Bill Greiter are very excited to be a part of this trip. They have lead several global village trips together. Kris worked for Habitat for Humanity for 10 years, and has led many trips for Global Village. Bill is a manager with a New York-based Insurance group.
If you are interested in learning more about this trip to Botswana, please contact Kris at kwangsadiputra@gmail.com.