Mahalapye, Botswana

July 24–August 7, 2010
(With optional R&R extensions)

This Global Village trip is open to anyone with a passion for adventure, a love for the global community and the ability to be flexible and open to learn from others. We will travel to Botswana to work side-by-side with Mahalapye Habitat affiliate members and our partner family members to build two homes together. These homes are built out of cinder block with few or no power tools. The work is labor intensive, but it is really a remarkable experience.

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, July 24: Depart for Botswana. (Possible departure on Friday, July 23, depending on flight schedule. All members must arrive in Gaborone by Sunday, July 25.)

Day 2: Sunday, July 25: Arrive in Gaborone; greeted at airport by HFH Botswana staff; transport to lodge; dinner with HFH Botswana national office staff; overnight in Gaborone.
Day 3: Monday, July 26: 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.
Day 4-7: Tuesday, July 27–Friday, July 30 (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, July 31: Breakfast served before traveling to work site; half-day workday on build site; cultural experience in the community.
Day 9: Sunday, August 1: Visit local church; other cultural activities (vary based on host project location).
Days 10–11: Monday, August 2–Tuesday, August 3: 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 12: Wednesday, August 4: Farewell celebration; travel to Gaborone; free time; dinner and overnight in Gaborone.
Day 13: Thursday, August 5: Depart for home.
Day 14: Friday, August 6: Arrival home.

(See below for optional R&R.)

Accommodations
The team stays in a lodge or guesthouse, typically in double-occupancy rooms with shared bathrooms and toilet.

Trip cost
$1,810
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).

Optional R&R: Since getting to Botswana is rare for most of us, there will be two different optional R&R experiences; the first with options of relaxing by Victoria Falls or challenged by its rapids below. The second, extended R&R experience is for those who have waited a lifetime to stand in awe of Africa’s wildlife and beauty. Let the team leader know which option is best for you.

Team leader
Rolf Bell was the former West Region Habitat for Humanity International Director, overseeing the work of 72 Habitat affiliates in four western states. He has led a Global Village Team to New Zealand, served as a house leader on two Jimmy Carter Work Projects in the Philippines and Harlem, New York. He has led three teams for the ELCA to build a chapel in Poland. He is trained as a minister and contractor. Rolf lives in Berkeley, California with his spouse, Laura, and daughter Olivia. This will be his second journey to Africa.

For more information, contact Rolf via e-mail at bellcohen94@yahoo.com.