Learn and Build Experience
Learn and Build Experience
The 2012 Learn and Build Experience will offer three domestic trips, two international trips and one alumni trip. All applications are due Feb. 29, 2012. Contact us at learnandbuild@habitat.org for more information.
2012 Locations
Almost Heaven HFH, Franklin, West Virginia; June 17-26
Almost Heaven HFH is located three hours southwest of Washington, D.C. and serves residents of Pendleton County, West Virginia in the heart of Appalachia.
The community boasts nature’s playground with mountains, caves, swimming holes and shallow trout fishing beds, but the area is still greatly affected by extreme poverty. In 2009, 14.8 percent of the county’s 7,695 residents lived below the poverty line and the county’s median household income hovered just above $35,000.
Since 1989, Almost Heaven HFH has completed 110 new homes and performed more than 300 rehabilitations and repairs. In 2012, the affiliate plans to build 12 new houses and perform three to five repair jobs per month, including wheelchair ramps, exterior cosmetic repairs and weatherization.
HFH of Georgetown County, Georgetown, South Carolina; July 1-10
Habitat for Humanity Georgetown County is located on the stunning coast of South Carolina and encompasses the fishing village of Murrells Inlet, the beaches of Pawleys Island, the historic seaport of Georgetown, and the rural town of Andrews. This unique community boasts a rich culture and a diverse economic makeup. While the median home value is almost $173,000, the median household income is about $40,500, leaving almost 21 percent of the county’s 60,100 residents living below the poverty line. HFH of Georgetown County began in 1991 after the destruction of Hurricane Hugo ripped through the coast of South Carolina in 1989. Since its founding, HFH of Georgetown County has completed 87 homes.
Battle Creek Area HFH, Battle Creek, Michigan; Aug. 5-14
Known as the cereal capital of the world, Battle Creek is located in Calhoun County in southwest Michigan between Chicago, Illinois and Detroit, Michigan. Battle Creek boasts the largest city in Calhoun County, with more than 52,000 residents.
More than 20 percent of Battle Creek’s residents live in poverty and fall below the median household income of $32,800. Much of the housing in the city core is older housing stock; as a result, Battle Creek Area HFH has strategically planned to primarily "gut" rehabs.
Since 1989, Battle Creek Area HFH has built or rehabilitated more than 110 homes in Calhoun County, including the cities of Albion and Marshall, Michigan.
International locations
Baltesti, Romania; Aug. 5-18
Beius, Romania; July 14-28
In 1996, a group of committed people from Beius, Romania came together to start Habitat for Humanity Romania, marking Romania as Habitat for Humanity’s 50th country worldwide. Over the years, seven affiliates have been started throughout Romania, and several other short-term projects have been undertaken to serve the needs of specific communities throughout Romania.
Romania is a country where poverty persists in spite of the European Union membership that was gained in 2007. Of the country’s 22 million population, more than 25 percent live below the poverty line and 7.8 percent are unemployed. HFH Romania has served more than 3,900 families and played host to more than 4,000 Global Village volunteers.
Learn and Build Experience alumni trip
New Horizons HFH, Americus, Georgia, July 22-28
This year we have an exciting opportunity for our alumni to visit the birthplace of Habitat for Humanity.
New Horizons Habitat for Humanity is located in Sumter County, Georgia, home of Habitat for Humanity International. From Koinonia to the Global Village & Discovery Center, you will get the chance to experience both the past and present of Habitat’s work. Since 1992, New Horizon has completed 480 homes.
Apply now for the 2012 alumni trip.
Costs
Participant costs are $550, plus travel expenses. Fees include meals, lodging and a donation to the affiliate. (Please note that lodging can be modest. Some participants will need to check and see if a sleeping bag is necessary.)
Payments are nonrefundable and will be donated to the participating affiliate.
Alumni trip costs differ from regular participant costs. More information is available in the alumni trip application.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to participants who demonstrate a need. The participant application includes details about applying for scholarships.
No scholarships are guaranteed; recipients will be notified with their acceptance to a trip. Half-program scholarships are available ($275 trip cost) as well as full-program scholarships ($550). Full airfare and program fee scholarships are also available which cover all fees in addition to the flight.