July 2nd, 2010

Twenty-Nine Houses Constructed During Five-Day Blitz Build In Ulaanbaatar

ULAANBAATAR, 2nd July 2010:
It might be the final day of Habitat for Humanity Mongolia’s Blue Sky Build but the hustle and bustle continued at the build site in Bayanzurkh district, about 15 km. from the capital Ulaanbaatar.

Volunteers took their places at the houses they were working on, helping skilled construction workers with roof rafters, putting up galvanized iron roofing sheets or mixing mortar and laying brick walls to give a hand to families needing more help.

For some houses which were already completed, volunteers and Habitat home partners were clearing up the compound.

House leader Carol Carsperson said home partner Rentsenkhand Damdinjav was already planning ahead for her house. “The home partner is preparing to build an entry area at the door of the house and is preparing the ground for some plants,” said Carsperson.

Shortly after lunch, photo opportunities were aplenty as Habitat’s photographer went from house to house to capture the moment. Faces beamed and arms were linked in camaraderie as volunteers and Habitat home partners marked their week of building homes together.

To international volunteers who came from the U.S.A., Hong Kong and China, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore and Nepal, the five days of the build passed by quickly.

“Looking at pictures of the first day of the build, I couldn’t believe how far we have come,” said Janice Chow, a high school student who is on summer vacation. The Hong Konger studies in the U.S.A.

Her team-mate and house leader, Justin Tam, a maintenance engineer from Hong Kong, was similarly satisfied. “We built friendship even though we are from different backgrounds.” Tam’s team comprised first-time volunteers, including his wife Melody Lau.

In addition to the international volunteers, local volunteers from Habitat’s partners including corporations and non-governmental organizations also contributed time and labor. Among them were volunteers from international NGO, World Vision, community development bank and microfinance institution XacBank, mining company South Gobi Sands and JCS (Joint Christian Services).

Another group of volunteers also played an important role. They were students from the Technical and Technological College in Ulaanbaatar. The college sent several volunteers each day and many were highly in demand because of their brick-laying expertise and other skills.

Batzaya Nasanjargal, a 21-year-old civil engineering student, was among the TTC volunteers. He was present all five days of the build, laying brick walls, working on plastering windows and roof truss.

“It was my first time working on plastering windows. I learned from other TTC students who are good brick-layers. We share our experiences,” he said.

When it came to interacting with other international volunteers, Nasanjargal saw it as a good opportunity to improve his English language skills and also make new friends. He learned some construction terminology in English from the international volunteers while he in turn taught them simple phrases in Mongolian.

For Lye Sin Wong, a financial printing coordinator from Hong Kong, the Blue Sky Build proved to be a humbling experience. “In the workplace, we have other people in different departments to turn to for help. Here we have to do the work ourselves and everyone in the team is on the same footing, that is, we are all novices.”

Wong said her team learned from the local skilled workers who demonstrated what was to be done and checked the volunteers’ work later.

The Blue Sky Build also marked the 10th anniversary of Habitat for Humanity in Mongolia. Of the 30 houses planned, one house was built in a test build by a Global Village volunteer team from the U.S.A.

Work on the remaining 29 houses began on 28th June and simple house dedications were held on 2nd July. Representatives from World Vision, South Gobi Sands and the government were on hand for the ceremony.

In the evening, volunteers traveled about an hour by coach from Ulaanbaatar to attend the a mini Naadam in a ger (traditional Mongolian tent) camp. An annual Mongolian festival held in July, the Naadam features horse racing, Mongolian wrestling, traditional song and dances and contortionists.

As volunteers bid farewell to one another, some may well meet again – on another Habitat build. Hong Kong volunteer Lye Sin Wong preferred to go on Habitat builds rather than other volunteer stints such as teaching English to children in rural areas. “It is very meaningful and there are more immediate benefits. When we build a house, a family is able to live in that house after a few weeks. It is also humbling to meet people who have very little and yet can be happy.”

Wong’s comments bode well for HFH Mongolia which has served over 1,500 families with secure and affordable housing in 10 years. It aims to serve another 1,500 families in the next five years.