Are you looking for a meaningful and rewarding experience to get away? Join this Global Village team traveling to Guangdong Province, China. This province features more than 2,000 miles of winding coastline situated in the southern most part of China's mainland. Become a part of Habitat for Humanity's goal of providing affordable housing for partner families trying to improve their quality of life. We will work alongside local families and experience the culture, food and landscape of Guangdong Province.  

Despite their country’s impressive growth, more than 150 million Chinese still live on less than US$1 a day.

About China
The rise of China as a new economic powerhouse continues to dazzle. China is a land where its historic past mingles with its optimistic, modern present. Over the past three decades, living standards have dramatically improved for many of the more than 1.4 billion people. However, rising prosperity has also sharply increased inequality, especially between those living in the countryside and those who live legally in major cities.

The World Bank estimates that about 150 million Chinese still live on less than US$1 a day, many in rural areas. Many of the chronically poor lack access to affordable housing, shut out by soaring land and house prices and insufficient supply of low-cost accommodations.

About Habitat for Humanity China
Habitat for Humanity China was established in 2000. It began in Kunming, capital of Yunnan, one of China’s poorest provinces. Through the first eight years of Habitat’s work in China more than 650 houses have been built, multiple partnerships developed and additional offices opened in the country.

Guangdong Province- Yangwei Community Profile
Yangwei is a small rural farming community in Conghua, about two hours by bus from Guangzhou City of Guangdong province, one of the most rapidly developing provinces in China. Guangdong is also an area that has the most visible polarization of the rich and poor. Most of the 39 families, about 200 villagers that make up this community work as tangerine farmers, their annual income comes from the sale of these tangerines during the harvest season (December-February) and fluctuates with the market. They can earn on average RMB 5,000 (US$790) per person per harvest, which must last them the whole year. Some families also plants rice, sweet potatoes and peanuts to help feed the families.

The families in Yangwei were living in primitive and dangerous row houses made of mud walls and tiled roofs. The mud walls had eroded over the years and had large cracks that leaked when it rained. The wooden beams holding up the ceramic tile roof was teaming with termites. The house required constant repairs and upkeep, and the villagers often spent time away from their orchards to replace damaged tiles on the roof or plaster over cracks in the wall. The houses did not have proper sanitation or a ventilation system. Not only was the house uncomfortable and unhygienic, it was also vulnerable to the floods and typhoons that regularly affect this area. 

In later 2012, the villagers tore down those unsafe, mud brick houses, to take part in the local government’s program called “Eliminating Mud Houses for Low-Income Rural Families”, which aims to transform mud houses into safe homes. Families who qualify for this program will receive a subsidy of RMB 45,000 or US $7,100 from the government to build a new house. However, the average cost of a brick house with a reinforced concrete roof in the Conghuais RMB 80,000 or US $12,700. To help the families of Yangwei reach their dream of safe, decent homes, Habitat for Humanity China is planning to provide the families with a no-profit loan that will give them the funding needed to complete the construction of their houses and help to transform their entire community. 

Types of construction for volunteers
Habitat works in China primarily in rural areas where homes are often made of unsafe structures. A typical Habitat home measures 70 square meters in size and the most common type of materials used are red bricks, stone, compressed earth blocks or wood supplemented with a tiled roof.

Global Village volunteers will typically either be assisting in creating new housing for families in need or rebuilding housing damaged or destroyed by the 2008 earthquake.

Standard itinerary
(10-day itinerary)
Day 1 (typically Friday): Depart for China.
Day 2 Saturday: Travel day.
Day 3 Sunday: Travel day; arrive in Guangzhou; Travel to site accommodation; welcome and orientation with local staff. free time and overnight in hotel.
Days 4-8, Monday-Friday (typical work days): Breakfast at a local restaurant; work from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; lunch on-site; free time after work to clean up; dinner; team activities.
Day 9, Saturday: Free day; cultural activities and some sightseeing Travel to Guangzhou; free time; final team dinner.
Day 10, Sunday: Depart for home.

Accommodations
Lodging will be provided in a local hotel with participants sharing double-occupancy rooms and shared bath. The team will spend its first and last nights at a hotel in Guangzhou City. All daily meals, including lunch, snacks and bottled water on site, are included in the trip cost.

Program cost
US$1,580
(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
Steve Acton is the team leader for this Global Village trip. This will be his 15th GV build, having led or co-led teams on six international trips and six domestic trips as well as participating in three Habitat builds as a team member. 

He is seeking enthusiastic, hardworking individuals to join him on this adventure. No prior construction is required for this build, just a positive attitude and the desire to make a difference for a family in need of affordable housing. For more information about this trip, contact Steve at sacton44@yahoo.com.