World Habitat

Netherlands -- Habitat for Humanity Int'l 1

Netherlands

Two men work side by side building a house.


Habitat for Humanity Netherlands was founded in April 1993. Unlike other national affiliates, its primary goals are to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity’s projects in other countries and to recruit volunteers to build houses for people in need of decent housing worldwide.

Among its successes are sending hosts of teams around the globe and raising funds for tsunami rebuilding. HFH Netherlands has excellent relations with local government: The Dutch provincial authorities have funded the start-up of HFH Surinam through a social house-building project.

HFH Netherlands also has excellent corporate relations, with an important part of the success being a number of so-called "CEO builds." Cisco Systems in the Netherlands sent a team of 45 employees, clients and suppliers to Guatemala in November 2002 to commemorate the opening of their offices in Amsterdam. The volunteers built eight of the 100 houses that were sponsored through the Cisco donation.

HFH Netherlands is a recipient of CBF-brand, a Dutch hallmark. CBF is an independent foundation that grants its brand to organizations actively fund raising for good deeds.

The HFH Netherlands national office is located in Haarlem, an ancient city close to Amsterdam. Its board consists of members from businesses, churches and the construction industry. .

Habitat for Humanity Netherlands currently sends volunteers to build homes in South Africa, Ghana, Guatemala, Bolivia, The Philippines, India, Romania, Surinam and Sri Lanka.


Habitat Highlights

  • A social house-building project in Surinam was approved by the Dutch provincial authorities. The building of six houses started in January 2005.
  • In 2005, Airport Schiphol chose HFH Netherlands as the receiver of the proceeds from the collection pillars, in which travelers can donate money. This money will be used for various house-building projects. So far, the proceeds are over € 42.000.
  • To support the tsunami victims, HFH Netherlands has founded a so-called Reconstruction Fund Asia, to which people can make donations.
  • Cisco Systems in the Netherlands sent a team of 45 employees, clients and suppliers to Guatemala in November 2002 to commemorate the opening of their offices in Amsterdam. The volunteers made a start by building eight of the 100 houses that were sponsored through the Cisco donation.