It Takes A Global Village
By Stephen Jesson
Habitat for Humanity's Global Village program offers volunteers the opportunity to combine a short-term holiday (two to four weeks) with a humanitarian mission, working with Habitat families to help them build simple decent homes of their own.

There are currently openings, not only for team members, but also for Global Village team leaders to guide groups of volunteers on these short-term missions, traveling both within the United States and overseas.

"I had so much fun on my first trip, I just couldn't stay away," says Bill Harris, an experienced team leader who has led trips to Botswana, Honduras and Mexico. "One of the things that interest me most about Global Village mission teams is the sheer diversity of people amongst the groups. It's great to meet and talk to people working from different cultures and backgrounds, working together toward a common goal. We can have a group of 15 people who range in age from 18 to 80.  I love it."

The Global Village department currently seeks responsible people who possess leadership skills, a knowledge of Habitat and its ministry, previous experience working with volunteers, a familiarity with the destination country and, above all, passion and commitment to the trip and to the other members of the team. To apply for a team leacer position, contact the Global Village department to arange an interview, and, if accepted, you will be given the proper training to effectively lead a team of volunteers.

When asked his advice to prospective team leaders, Harris replies: "Tell them that if they don't do it then they'll be missiong out on the experience of a lifetime."

For more information, contact the Global Village department at (800) HABITAT, ext. 2549, or email GV@habitat.org.

Reprinted from Habitat World Magazine, October/November 1999.
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©1999 Habitat for Humanity International