Comanesti, Romania

September 26-October 7, 2008

Are you looking for a life-changing experience? Do you wonder what to do with your free time? If the answer to either of those questions is yes, then this is for you – an extraordinary two-week cross-cultural adventure. Join the Global Village trip and help build simple, decent and affordable houses in Comanesti, Romania! (No building skills are necessary.)

About Romania
Romania has long faced an acute lack of housing – a legacy of the socialist industrialization that forced many people from the countryside into the new towns and infamous Soviet-style apartment blocks. It is not uncommon for three generations of a family to live cramped in one or two rooms as young families cannot afford a place of their own. The rents are high and for families with two average salaries bank credits are out of reach. According to the official statistics, 35 percent of total housing stock in Romania is in the state of complete neglect and needing urgent repairs.

Comanesti is located in an area originally settled by religious and political refugees. This medium-size town is in a wine-growing region of the Carpathian Mountains and offers magnificent scenery and abundant outdoor activities, such as hiking, fishing, swimming, and mountain biking. The largest underground sanatorium (health spa) in Europe is here. A hilltop monastery overlooks the main road into town, and a summer palace, now dedicated to the display of fine and applied art, is near the center.

Founded in 2004, Habitat for Humanity Comanesti focuses on new construction of single wood-frame and new TermEcon block houses, apartment and home renovations, and repairs. Depending on the stage of construction, our team will work on a variety of tasks. No construction experience is required for GV participants.

Itinerary
September 26, Friday – Depart from home
September 27, Saturday – Arrive in Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP); overnight in Bucharest
September 28, Sunday – Half-day in Bucharest (free time). Travel to affiliate after lunch (6 hrs drive approximately). Affiliate orientation
September 29-October 1, Monday-Thursday– Build
October 3, Friday – Half-day build and Comanesti sightseeing
October 4, Saturday – Build
October 5, Sunday – Travel to Bucharest after breakfast. R&R in Bucharest, and overnight in Bucharest
October 6, Monday – Sightseeing in Bucharest
October 7, Tuesday – Depart for home

Accommodations
Teams traveling to Comanesti, Romania, should expect to stay in a modest hotel with double- or triple-occupancy rooms and shared bath. Meals are usually taken at the hotel and some local restaurants.

Cost
The trip cost is $1,925, plus round-trip airfare. This price includes lodging, food, ground transportation, cultural tours, traveler's medical insurance, orientation materials and a donation to the local Habitat affiliate. Participants will need to arrange and pay for transportation from their point of departure to Bucharest, Romania. It is very important that you consult with your team leader before booking flights.

Team leader
Linda Bauer
Linda lives in southeast Washington State with her husband Jim. Most of their five children live nearby, along with their three grandkids. She is a retired senior executive from the federal government. Linda has volunteered with her local affiliate for the last seven years, and is currently the board president. She has led Global Village teams to New Zealand, Chile, and Mississippi. She also leads mission teams from her church to the Gulf Coast to assist in home reconstruction from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, golfing, quilting and other hand crafts, and spoiling those grandkids. For more information about this trip, please contact her via e-mail at golfnbauers@aol.com.