Pondicherry, India
May 23–June 6, 2010
Are you curious about the world around you, and do you want to see it from somewhere besides the couch? Do you yearn to get to know others in meaningful and surprising ways? Does your soul sing (or at least hum in tune) with the chance to make a difference? Do you want to see the world from a new perspective?
This Global Village trip in India will enrich and challenge you as you build, live, stretch and are changed. Participate in a build to give to others and you will find that you learn and gain much in the process. Team members need big hearts, a willingness to get dirty and a desire to laugh and be changed.
About India
The Republic of India is home to one of the oldest civilizations in the world and is a land as diverse as it is vast. Its population (more than 1.2 billion as of 2008) is expected to exceed China's by 2010, making it the world's most populous country.
India is located in southern Asia, with 7,000 kilometers of coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. It shares political borders with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, China, Nepal and Pakistan.
India gained its independence from Great Britain in 1947 and is the world's largest democracy. Since independence, India's history has been turbulent. Now in a period of liberalization, India faces the challenge of modernizing while trying to preserve its ancient culture. With an annual per capita income of US$300, most Indian families are unable to afford a decent home.
About Habitat for Humanity India
HFH India was formed in 1983 and has built more than 17,000 houses that are approximately 350 square feet, with at least two rooms and a latrine. House designs vary, depending on materials available in the area and the specific needs of the local community.
Habitat’s IndiaBUILDS campaign aims to house 250,000 people over five years, mobilizing one million volunteers in the process and raising capital toward that goal. Currently, HFH India operates through resource centers in Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi, as well as satellite centers in the south, east and west. New partnerships with corporate supporters and nongovernmental organizations extend Habitat’s presence to north India.
For more information, please visit http://www.habitatindia.in/.
Types of construction for volunteers
Volunteer may work on new construction of complete homes and with disaster response programs. Habitat house designs and materials vary with climate and locale. Typically, house designs range in size from 240 to 360 square feet and are composed of a living room, veranda, kitchen and toilet.
Standard itinerary
Day 1 (Typically Saturday): Depart for India.
Day 2 (Sunday): Arrive at airport in-country; free time; dinner; overnight in arrival city unless close to project location.
Day 3 (Monday): Travel to Pondicherry; welcome and orientation with local staff member; visit project sites and families; welcome dinner.
Days 4–7 (Work days, Tuesday–Friday): Breakfast served before traveling to work site; work from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. with lunch on site; free time after work to clean up; dinner and time for team activities.
Days 8–9 (Saturday–Sunday): Free days: activity in local community.
Days 10–13 (Monday–Thursday): Breakfast served before traveling to work site; work from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. with lunch on site; free time after work to clean up; dinner at house; time for team activities; farewell lunch with families.
Day 14 (Friday): Travel to departure city; free time for local activities; dinner. (For host projects located close to the departure city, this can be a work day.)
Day 15 (Saturday): Departure day.
Accommodations
Team members should expect to stay at a hotel or a retreat center, depending on location. Rooms will be at least double-occupancy in a hotel and will usually have a private bath. Some teams may stay in a shared space with a shared bath.
Breakfast is usually provided at the hotel or retreat center, and lunch is usually provided by the affiliate and taken on the work site. Dinner is taken at various restaurants or provided by the hotel or retreat center.
Trip cost
$1,800, plus air fare.
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 and team coordination and orientation materials. 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
Gary Smith loves to travel and build. He also believes the best thing you can do is give someone a chance to grow and contribute to mankind. He has been on numerous build trips since his university days and feels each has shaped and blessed him in different ways and wants to share this opportunity with others.
Having had her life changed and enriched by building with Habitat, Joan MacPherson seeks to help others experience the kind of giving and living that is unique to Habitat. A deep love for the families of Habitat keeps Joan plugging along at her building specialty: experienced pack mule. (If houses can be built with her lack of construction finesse, you probably have something to offer to a team as well!)
For more information about this Global Village trip to India, contact Joan via e-mail at joanmacpherson@verizon.net or by phone at 978-388-1419 (EST).