Making an Impact: Special Events

Across the Asia-Pacific region, Habitat for Humanity hosts events – large and small – to raise awareness, engage volunteers and garner funds.

“Blitz builds” bring large numbers of volunteers together for an adrenaline rush of building and completing houses very quickly: normally five or six days. Habitat’s most celebrated blitz builds, the annual Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project [1] – has been held four times in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Advocacy specials” mobilize volunteers to highlight the need to tackle the scourge of substandard housing in their communities and all over the world.

WATCH OUT FOR THESE COMING SPECIAL EVENTS

		2013: Mekong Big Builds – Vietnam and Cambodia With the success of the trio of Big Builds in South Asia last year, this year’s Big Builds move to the Mekong Delta. The Mekong Big Builds – Vietnam will take place from 4 to 10 August. Some 250 Habitat volunteers and 25 families will come together to build new homes in Cho Gao district, Tien Giang, in southern Vietnam. Read more [2]. From 3 to 9 November, 350 Mekong Big Build volunteers will work in Smile Village, or Phum Kdey Nhor Nhem, helping to build 50 affordable rental homes for families affected by the closure of Phnom Penh’s latest dumpsite. More details [3]. For general information, please download the Mekong Big Builds flyer [4].

		2013: Habitat-Barclays Bare Your Sole, Singapore Find out how Habitat for Humanity Singapore encourages thousands of volunteers to get a feel for what it’s like to be poor – by taking part in an annual mass barefoot charity walk. This year's event takes place on 1 June. More information. [5]


		Bula Build Fiji 2013 In Fiji, "bula" may mean anything from "hello" to "welcome". When Bula Build Fiji 2013 is held from 21 April to 11 May, the word "life" will have a special meaning. Each week, teams of international volunteers will help to build homes, providing affordable rental housing for low-income Fijian families. Check out HFH Fiji’s Facebook [6] page for updates.


		2013: Habitat Youth BUILD in Asia-Pacific Habitat for Humanity's Youth BUILD campaign aims to be bigger and better. Last year's event garnered more than one million online supporters and saw 5,000 volunteers building simultaneously in five countries on one day. Over US$1 million was raised, which helped more than 700 low-income families. This year, nine Asian countries will be engaging younger Habitat supporters in our movement to raise awareness and funds to fight poverty housing in the Asia-Pacific region. Habitat Youth BUILD 2013 calls for action – concerned young people to build homes and communities, on Habitat build sites and online through their social networks. Mark the date – 27 April 2013 – and join 10,000 young people in simultaneous builds and even more online friends. 'Like' the Habitat Youth BUILD page [7]. Follow twitter updates with #HabitatYouthBuild. Donate and fundraise on www.HabitatYouthBuild.org [8]

PAST SPECIAL EVENTS

		2012: Transform a Life in South Asia: Big Builds In 2012, Habitat for Humanity’s Big Builds series took place in South Asia to shine a spotlight on the need for safe, adequate, affordable housing. Three communities in three countries – Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh – showcased what was possible with the support of volunteers, partners and families.

		2012: Blue Sky Build II, Mongolia After a well-received Blue Sky Build in 2010, Habitat for Humanity Mongolia once again brought together corporations, individuals and partner organizations to build homes with local families in need. Volunteers helped build 20 environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient homes for one week in July 2012.

		2011: Khmer Harvest Build, Oudong, Cambodia In November 2011, hundreds of international and local volunteers experienced a week of blitz build in Oudong, Cambodia. They worked on 22 homes which were equipped with solar panels for electricity and rainwater catchment systems for a ready water supply.

		Get the Word Out Social media is a great way to stay in touch with friends and family on the Web and it’s a cinch to connect with Habitat for Humanity. Stay up-to-date and make a difference [9] in our fight against substandard housing.