Pondicherry, India
July 9–24, 2010
If you are the kind of person who believes that experiencing other cultures will bring richness to life and you have a heart for serving, this is the trip you are looking for. The team destination is on the southeastern coast of India on the Bay of Bengal, in Pondicherry. Because Pondicherry used to be part of a French colony on the Indian territory, Indian and French cultures merge in the city.
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 non-governmental organizations extend Habitat’s presence to north India.
For more information, please visit the Habitat for Humanity India’s Web site.
Types of construction for volunteers
Volunteers 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
Friday, July 9: Depart for India
Saturday, July 10: Travel (One day is lost when crossing the international date line.)
Sunday, July 11: Arrive in Chennai (Madras) airport; free time; dinner.
Monday, July 12: Travel to Pondicherry; welcome and orientation with local staff members; visit project sites and families; welcome dinner.
Tuesday–Friday, July 13–16: Work days. Breakfast served before traveling to work site; work from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. with lunch on site.
Saturday–Sunday, July 17–18: Free days; activity in local community.
Monday–Thursday, July 19–22: Work days; breakfast served before traveling to work site; work from 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. with lunch on site. On Thursday: farewell lunch with families; clean up after work; dinner at house.
Friday, July 23: Travel back to Chennai (Madras); free time for local activities; dinner.
Saturday, July 24: Depart for home.
Accommodations
Team members should expect to stay at a hotel or a retreat center, depending on the 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 the 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
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 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
Enzo Repola will lead this Global Village trip. A retired New York City banker who lives in Rye, New York, Enzo has been volunteering with Habitat since 2001. This will be the sixteenth GV team that he will have led. Previous overseas destinations include countries in Africa, Asia, the South Pacific and the U.S. Enzo is looking forward to putting together a dynamic team of individuals of different backgrounds who have the same desire for helping other people to achieve the goal of owning a simple, decent home.
If interested in this GV trip to India or for more information, contact Enzo at
erepola@verizon.net.