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Denver, Colo., USA/Jordan and Northern Ireland
Volunteers build walls of houses to break down walls of strife

In an effort to play a more meaningful, long-term role in supporting overseas affiliates, Metro Denver Habitat's board chose four countries--Guatemala, Nepal, Northern Ireland and Jordan--and committed to sending a consistent tithe from Denver for at least three years, during which time Denver would strive to create a deeper connection with each country that would involve sending volunteers as well as funds.

"We were attracted to Jordan and Northern Ireland because of the way they're reconciling age-old divisions through the process of building houses," executive director Lori Vaclavik says. "We were astonished at Habitat bringing together Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland and just as amazed at Jordan bringing together Christians and Muslims."

Denver volunteers who have traveled to Jordan to see their tithe in action have contributed not only construction labor but also "intellectual capital"--including advice on nonprofit budgeting and staff performance appraisals, says Had Beatty, Denver board member and Jordan team leader. In return, the Jordan team provides opportunities for the Denver volunteers to grow together.

"We are able to bond together as individuals in support of our local affiliate in a better way, because we know each other and have developed that trust," Beatty says.

Denver's relationship with Northern Ireland gained momentum in 2001, when the Colorado affiliate hosted a team of Catholic and Protestant women. The trip laid the groundwork for a cross-community build in Belfast and brought the two groups together in a neutral space, where they could learn to work together in a less religiously charged atmosphere.

"Most of them had never been out of Belfast, let alone out of the country or in the U.S.," Vaclavik says. "It rained and rained, and there was mud everywhere. But by the end of the week, unanimously they said it had been life-changing for them.

"A few years ago, I had the opportunity to travel to Belfast with a Global Village team from our affiliate and reconnected with the volunteers there. We laughed again. It's amazing that we can, through Habitat, form relationships with people in other parts of the world, people you don't really have much in common with. Habitat is all you need to build a bridge with each other."

Peter Anderson, fund-raising manager for Habitat Northern Ireland, points out that in addition to receiving teams and funding, Northern Ireland also sends teams and money elsewhere. As of 2006, 130 teams totaling about 1,800 people had traveled from Northern Ireland to build, raising nearly $2 million in funding.

After volunteers travel to build elsewhere, they almost always return home more inspired and motivated to serve, he says. As a case in point, he points to the country's recent partnership with Habitat Ethiopia. A group of university students raised more than 100,000 pounds in 2005 to work with leprosy-affected people in Dessie and returned from their trip passionately committed to going back. In 2006, an official partnership was struck in which Northern Ireland would send 15 teams in three years; all five teams for 2007 were filled in two weeks.

"We've sent seven teams to Guatemala," Anderson adds. "In 2006, we hosted a team of staff and board members from Habitat Guatemala. They are a post-conflict nation, as we are, and we shared experiences of what it means to be working in a post-conflict environment.

"What I've seen in my eight years at Habitat as a fundraiser is that as you give, you receive. We invest in every relationship you have, because it returns to you. When you invest in relationships, what returns back is incredible."

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