Learn and Build Experience
Learn and Build Experience
The 2013 Learn and Build Experience will offer three domestic trips, two international trips and one trip for previous Learn and Build Experience participants.
The 2013 application period has closed. Contact us at learnandbuild@habitat.org for more information.
Learn and Build Experience domestic trips
Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
June 23-July 2
Milwaukee, the largest Wisconsin city, is located in the southeast region of the state on the shores of Lake Michigan. Known as “the good land” by Native Americans, Milwaukee has a beautiful lakefront, diverse neighborhoods, friendly Midwestern residents and lots of festivals, including the “world’s largest music festival” featuring more than 700 bands—Summerfest.
Despite being a thriving Midwest city, Milwaukee is one of the most racially segregated cities in the United States. Many central city neighborhoods are in need of revitalization, and roughly one of four Milwaukee renters spends half of their income on housing. To help revitalize these neighborhoods and increase homeownership, Milwaukee Habitat has built or repaired more than 500 houses, including several with the minor rehab and repair program, A Brush with Kindness. The Milwaukee affiliate has also played host to National Service AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon teams for the past two springs.
Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
July 18-27
Located in the foothills of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Forsyth County offers big city charm in a small city setting. The area includes rolling hills and farmland, and is home to the popular Hollywood filming spot, Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem is a city of rich history and old industry. With a unique make up of arts districts, college campuses and a medical park, the area attracts a diverse community. Habitat Forsyth has completed 325 homes as of spring of 2012, serving more than 1,000 individual family members. The industrial economy has slowly left the area, leaving behind substandard housing in many of the county’s urban and rural communities. Habitat Forsyth works to revive communities, focusing attention on inner city housing options that were once home to factory workers.
Habitat for Humanity of Washington, D.C., Washington D.C.
Aug. 8-17
Home of our nation’s capital, Washington D.C. truly represents the United States’ global community. Just as museums and memorials belong to the D.C. community, so does the sub-standard housing of the city’s less fortunate. Habitat for Humanity of Washington, D.C., was founded in 1988, and the affiliate has completed decent, affordable homes in all four quadrants of the district, helping to shelter more than 300 D.C. residents. Despite a recent decline in housing prices, housing in the district continues to be some of the most expensive in the United States. In an effort to not only work with homeowners on housing costs, the affiliate also leads the way on green initiatives to keep utility costs as a minimum for partner families. The affiliate also played host to the 27th annual Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project in 2010, where volunteers built mixed-used units, aligning with the city’s urban housing needs.
Learn and Build Experience international trips
Mozambique
June 16-29
Mozambique is a country of great potential and many contrasts. Located in southern Africa, it has borders with six other countries and more than 2,500 km of Indian Ocean coastline. Pristine beaches and a promising coastal tourist economy give way to inland communities struggling with poverty. Its population is strikingly young, with 10 million children accounting for half of the total population of 20 million. Since the end of the civil war in 1992, Mozambique’s economy has grown but still ranks among the world’s poorest 20 countries. Mozambique also ranks 175 out of 179 countries on the 2008 Human Development index. The income per capita is US$370 and more than 58 percent of children live below the poverty line. Habitat has been active in Mozambique since 2000. They have built more than 2,000 homes and housed more than 7,500 people, most of them children. In 2004, Habitat committed to work only with the Orphans and Vulnerable Project to build simple, decent homes for children left behind in the wake of the AIDS crisis.
Trinidad and Tobago
July 21-Aug. 3
Trinidad and Tobago is a two-island republic in the Caribbean Sea, just 7 miles off the coast of Venezuela. Trinidad is the larger island at 1,864 square miles, while Tobago is just 116 square miles. Trinidad has some hills and low mountains but is mostly covered by plains. Tobago is a volcanic island of mainly hills and low mountains, with a narrow strip of plains running along the coast. The country holds a hodgepodge of cultures with descendants from Africa, India, China and Portugal. This is reflected in the unique food and music. The country is well known for its beautiful beaches and affinity for steel drum music, attracting thousands of tourists each year. Although the islands have large petroleum reserves, the massive revenue generated has not spread across the country. Poverty levels remain high in both rural and urban areas. Habitat for Humanity Trinidad and Tobago (HFHTT) has constructed more than 178 houses and served 314 families and 1,570 individuals to date.
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 will be available on the alumni trip information page.
Scholarships
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for participant and travel scholarships. Scholarships are available to participants who demonstrate a need.
No scholarships are guaranteed; recipients will be notified of scholarship offers along with their acceptance to a trip. Half-program scholarships are available ($275 trip cost) as well as full-program scholarships ($550). Travel scholarships covering full airfare are also available.