Indians believe in sharing happiness and sorrow. A festival or a celebration is never confined to a family or a home. The whole community or neighborhood is involved in bringing liveliness to an occasion. You can become a part of this culture for a short time, and make a difference in the lives of local families.  

We are looking for enthusiastic, fun-loving, dependable, hardworking and open-minded people to help. If that description fits you, please read on!

On this 16-day adventure, you will be helping one or more families build a home in a community, near Delhi. By helping to build a home, you will be helping them and their community achieve their dream of living in decent and safe housing. You will be working alongside a team of local builders, community members and the families that will eventually live in the houses you will have helped construct. It is not all hard work, however, as the trip will include some extra activities, such as visiting a temple, Old Delhi markets and other places of interest. This will be a fun filled adventure, not only on the build site but in the activities we undertake as a team.

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$1000, 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 1 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.

HFH India also has an active disaster response program. Reconstruction efforts after the December 2004 tsunami built on earlier initiatives in Gujarat, where Habitat provided homes following an earthquake in 2001 and in Cuttack, Orissa, where communities were rebuilt in the aftermath of a super cyclone. For more information, please visit the Habitat for Humanity India’s Web site.

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 comprised of a living room, veranda, kitchen and toilet.

Itinerary
Day 1-2 (Typically travel days ): Depart your home country.
Day 3 (Sunday): Arrive in Delhi; welcome and orientation with local staff member; free time; dinner.
Days 4-8 (Monday-Friday): Work days; 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 and time for team activities.
Days 9-10 (Saturday-Sunday): Free days: activity in local community; local site seeing (On the Saturday we will be visiting the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. This is extra and arranged by the team leader and is outside the HfH Project)
Days 11-15 (Monday- Friday): 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 and time for team activities. Friday: Farewell lunch with families; team farewell dinner in the evening.
Day 16 (Saturday): Departure day.

Accommodations
Team members will stay at a hotel in Delhi. Rooms will be at least double-occupancy and will usually have a private bath.

Breakfast is provided at the hotel, and lunch is provided by the affiliate and taken on the work site. Dinner is taken at various restaurants or provided by the hotel.

Program cost
US$2130
(For more details about what is included in this cost, visit Global Village program cost.)

Increase your impact: Take the GV Challenge
Habitat for Humanity is accelerating its work to end poverty housing, and we need Global Village teams to help. Set a goal and fundraise to make your impact last longer than the days you’re in the field. Your support builds more homes, creates resource centers, educates families, and advances our projects to build sustainable communities. We’ll even provide tools to make fundraising easy. Take the GV Challenge – join us in sharing our story and building a better world.

Team leader - Ray Fowell
Read Ray's team leader profile.

He has worked on and lead a number of HFH projects in Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia. This will be his 17th trip and 12th as a team leader. This will be his sixth time leading a project in Delhi. If you are interested in joining this team of fun loving individuals or just want more information, contact Ray by: 

Email:  ray@sovereign-estates.com
Phone: +44 7983575271 (remember the time difference, he is on GMT)
Skype: raymundo1952