HFH India Hosts Second Irish Volunteer Team In Delhi
June 24th, 2011
Despite The Heat, 12 Volunteers From Republic Of Ireland Enjoy The Build In Bawana Resettlement Colony
Tough working conditions did not deter the Irish volunteers from having a memorable build in Bawana.
(From left) The volunteers included Louise O’Riordan, Joe O’Riordan, Marian Haughney, Morgan O’Brien and Gareth Halpin.
DELHI, 24th June 2011: Habitat for Humanity India hosted its second volunteer team from the Republic of Ireland in a slum resettlement community in the north of the country.
The 12 volunteers worked over five days at the Bawana community, located about 45 km northwest of the capital New Delhi.
Irish volunteers first built with Habitat in Delhi when a 12-member team from University College Dublin arrived in July 2010.
In the scorching summer heat, the latest Irish team worked with two Habitat home partners to dismantle their old houses made of bamboo and tin sheets.
The volunteers also helped to dig the foundation for the families’ new houses which are being built on the same site as their old homes.
In addition, the volunteers laid bricks and plastered the walls.
Despite the tough working conditions, the volunteers thoroughly enjoyed their build.
“The whole trip was a fantastic experience, I was very proud of how the team performed in such tough, hot conditions,” said Louise O’Riordan from Cork
At the end of the build, a simple ceremony was held in which Habitat home partners thanked the volunteers for their hard work and commitment.
“Working hard on the site and seeing the progress we made and meeting the families was such a great experience,” said Alisa Cotter from Cork
Habitat for Humanity India has been working in Bawana since 2006 when it partnered with a local non-government organization Chetanalaya in a 150-house project.
To date, HFH India has built or repaired 500 houses in Bawana and with its partners supporting programs related to strengthening of self-help groups, literacy, health, livelihood and capacity building. Habitat’s partners included Academy of Development Science, Apeksha Homeo Society, SAMARASA, Foundation for Educational Innovations in Asia.
In addition to the Irish team, nearly 560 international and local volunteers have contributed to Habitat’s project in Bawana. To date, HFH India has hosted over 250 volunteers from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Australia, US, Korea, Japan, Singapore, China, Dubai and Ireland in the resettlement colony.