Africa and the Middle East

There is growing concern for conditions in Africa and the Middle East. Decent housing has become unaffordable and the majority of the population is forced into slums. In order to buy a home, most people need to earn 12.5 times more than their income. The Arab states are especially known to have the highest rents in the world. In an attempt to escape rural poverty, people have migrated to the cities. In fact, 300 million new people will live in African cities in the next 25 years. Over half of the continent’s population will live in the city at this time, but cities’ infrastructures cannot sustain this influx. Slum environments will persist with inaccessibility to water, unsafe and overcrowded conditions, the spread of disease and unemployment.

Unfortunately, domestic and foreign governments have shown little concern for this region. Habitat for Humanity, therefore, works to bring housing issues and policy to the forefront. Better housing would ensure social development, secure governance, a stable economy and a decrease in disease. Housing construction itself creates jobs. The standard of living of a people greatly affects their efficiency as workers. If housing policies are not addressed and people remain in slums, this region will become more marginalized in the world. It is not only a right, but a necessity, that every person affords and owns a decent home in this world.

Uganda

What is your name? My name is Hope

Where are you from? I am from Masindi in Uganda, East Africa

What language do you speak? I speak Luganda and a little English

Are you a boy or girl? I am a girl

How old are you? I am 8 years old

What year are you in school? When I go to school I am in P1

What do you study at school? I study English, Math, Science and History

What religion are you? I am Anglican

What is your favorite… What do you like to do? I like to help my aunt take care of my sister and my nieces and nephews.

What does your house look like? I live in a mud hut with a dirt floor.

Who lives with you? I live with my aunt, her husband, their four children and my younger sister because my parents died of AIDS

What do you do on an average day? I go for water at the well 4 km away, I help my aunt with cooking, digging in the garden, taking care of the children, sweep the hut and compound, washing clothes and I go for water in the evening. If I am lucky and my aunt can spare me, I go to school from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturday mornings, but I don’t get to go to school very much.