Weaving a better future

Senghouch’s relationship with her husband has improved after they moved into a spacious home where she can continue her weaving livelihood. What is more, her children are healthier.

Cambodian homeowner Senghouch with her child in front of her weaving loom

The weaving loom that is Senghouch’s means of livelihood fits nicely into a sheltered space outside her home on stilts. It was not always like this.

With her weaving skills, she could earn some money to supplement the US$150 month wages of her husband Cheat, 32, a steel factory worker. But the lack of a decent, spacious home made it almost impossible for her to weave traditional fabric for making dresses.

“The house was messy and cramped. Because of that, my husband and I would feel stressed, which led to bitter arguments,” says Senghouch, 27, whose family of four lives in Kandal province, Cambodia. That was back in early 2019.

In addition, her two children, then 5 years old and 6 months respectively, could hardly move around the house safely. Heavy rains and strong winds would rock their house, causing them sleepless nights and leaving holes in the walls and roof that had to be repaired regularly. Besides using the toilet in her mother’s house which was 30 meters away, they could also get water to bring back to their place.

In March 2019, Senghouch and Cheat took the step of becoming Habitat homeowners, leaving their inadequate living conditions behind. They were among 36 families who have built new homes with Habitat for Humanity Cambodia in a Dutch-funded project. Another 46 families gained access to safe sanitation through latrines built while over 8,400 primary students were trained in hygienic and sanitation practices.

With the help of Habitat skilled workers, the couple were able to build a durable home with their own toilet with sufficient space for the weaving loom. The family moved into their new house in Puk Russey commune, Khsach Kandal district, in May 2019. Having a place that they could proudly call their own has improved their family life.

Senghouch's weaving loom is kept outside the home (top) that she shares with her husband (not pictured) and daughters (bottom).

Senghouch’s weaving loom is kept outside the home (top) that she shares with her husband (not pictured) and daughters (bottom). All photos: Habitat for Humanity Cambodia/Soung Bunna.

“My husband and I can now have a proper conversation. We both felt secure having our own home. This lessened the stress,” says Senghouch. Now that she can work comfortably at home, she can earn up to US$40 for each swathe of fabric woven.

In the first six months after moving into their new home, she noted that her two children did not have diarrhea as often as before. It helps that her family, along with others in the project, attended training in water, sanitation and hygiene conducted by Habitat Cambodia.

Seeing Senghouch weaving at home has led her daughter Mengchou to take an interest in weaving. “I am happy to see my children thrive in our new home. I hope they can grow up well and have proper education.”

She is looking forward to saving money to set up a small business with her husband. “It could be a steel workshop or a tailor shop,” she shares.

Since 2003, Habitat Cambodia has served more than 90,000 families including Senghouch’s by the end of the financial year on June 30, 2019. Visit habitatcambodia.org or follow facebook.com/HabitatCambodia1/ to find out more.

Cambodian homeowner Senghouch with her daughter Socheata in front of her weaving loom
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Weaving a better future

Inner peace

Free from the fear of eviction, Bunthoeun and his wife feel  secure in their own home.

Cambodian homeowner Bunthoeun looking out at his vegetable garden in Kandal province

For more than 30 years, former soldier Bunthoeun — who lost both his arms in a landmine accident in 1986 — had to live with the fear of eviction while struggling to provide for his family. He relied on his monthly military pension of US$125 to bring up his eight children in Kandal province, Cambodia.

His family used to live in a small shack made up of rusty tin sheets and wood debris. “Aside from heavy rain that would seep through holes in the roof, what worried me the most was that our family could be evicted anytime since we don’t own the place we were staying in.”

When it wasn’t raining, the heat would be too unbearable. “I could barely move around inside, but we had no place to go.” Having to move several times, his children had never experienced living in a permanent home.

After his six sons and two daughters have grown up and found jobs in other provinces, Bunthoeun, 56, and his wife Samuth, 63, were able to have their own home.

In late 2018, staff of Habitat for Humanity Cambodia contributed their labor during a weeklong build in Veal Thmey village, Ponher Leu district. Buntheoun and his wife help to prepare the areas for washing up, meals and breaks and clean up the worksite each day. Buntheoun constantly checked with Habitat Cambodia’s staff and skilled workers to see if he could help in other ways.

After the five-day build, Bunthoeun and his wife were able to move into their own home in September 2018. The house, which comes with a proper toilet, features the use of zinc in its roofing, walls and timber framing.

Samuth and her husband Bunthoeun in front of their house in cambodia's Kandal province

Bunthoeun (right) is now at ease to entertain visitors while his wife Samuth can also weave baskets at home for a living. All photos: Habitat for Humanity Cambodia/Soung Bunna.

“It’s easy for me to move around,” says Bunthoeun as doors are easy to open in the spacious house. Now he could sit comfortably in front of his house, telling his visitors stories of his family and his days in the military. With more space to work at home, Samuth hopes to weave more baskets for a living and save some money.

After years of instability and hardship, Bunthoeun and Samuth have greater peace of mind and freedom. Settling down nicely, they have started growing ornamental plants to make their home more welcoming. They have also planted vegetables and fruit trees for food.

Since 2003, Buntheoun and Samuth are among more than 90,000 families who have joined hands with Habitat Cambodia and their partners to build better lives through decent homes and microfinance services. Visit habitatcambodia.org or follow facebook.com/HabitatCambodia1/ to find out more.

Cambodian homeowner Bunthoeun looking out at his home garden
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Inner peace

World Humanitarian Day

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 A tree fell on my house. I was supposed to die,” Lawrence said. Living in the worst disaster-hit region in the world, he was thankful to survive Cyclone Pam when it hit Fiji in 2015.  
 

 

Others like Judith and Paul (right) lost nearly everything in the end-2019 bushfire in New South Wales, Australia. “We have been self-sufficient on this property and we have lived that life for 50 years. Our whole lifestyle has been destroyed, not just the house, but all the sheds, all the tools, all the animals died in the fire. It’s been a real tragedy,” says Judith.

Some of those affected by disasters want to lend a hand. “I just move slower now, but I can still help,” says Romeo (second from left) who rebuilt his home after Philippines was hit by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, one of the strongest trropical cyclones on record.

Ganga took it a step further after the 2015 Nepal earthquake. “Through Habitat’s PASSA program, I learned that the house I tried to build did not meet the national building standard. I underwent skilled masonry training with Habitat. With new skills and knowledge on hand, I started building my new house,” he says.

Whether it’s a natural disaster or a pandemic, you are there.

And we are right beside you.

Our staff
“Immediately after the earthquake, my first instinct was to serve the people who have lost everything and were badly affected,” says Sujata. A staff member of Habitat Nepal, she was attending a function with her family when the devastating earthquake struck in 2015.

“There are many vulnerable people with varied needs, especially women and children living in remote, disaster-prone areas. Being part of Habitat Vietnam’s disaster response projects means having the opportunity to help these vulnerable people overcome difficulties and rebuild their lives post-disaster,” says Yen Nguyen who has been involved with disaster responses since 2009.

“When we respond to a disaster, we deal with the community, the people, the survivors. Our work is all about people. We listen to them and try our best to address their needs,” says Andreas Hapsoro (in Habitat t-shirt), Habitat for Humanity’s Asia-Pacific disaster response specialist.

“I looked back upon my life and realized that it had been so good...The direction moving forward was clear — just give back. Give back to society, give back to the community,” says Chunhui Sim, Habitat Singapore’s Project HomeWorks program manager. She helped cleaned homes when volunteers were not allowed due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Our volunteers
“Thank you, Habitat, for giving us this opportunity to be part of a life-changing project, bringing relief to families affected by disasters,” says Niroshan who volunteered with Habitat Sri Lanka for its response to 2017’s Cyclone Mora.

“The loss of lives and infrastructure in Kerala has been so massive that the entire country needs to come together to Rebuild Kerala,” actress Jacqueline Fernandez (wearing helmet) and Habitat India’s brand ambassador.

“I get a huge amount out of volunteering. I really feel like I can give back to the community,” says Carly, a volunteer for the 2019 New South Wales bushfire response in Australia.

Our homeowners
“My family was involved in rebuilding this house and helped with everything from the foundation to the roof,” says
Niru who built a new home with Habitat after 2015 Nepal earthquake.

“I’m very grateful for this place and for the people who have helped me stand on my feet after the disaster,” says Sarlina. She rebuilt her home and life after the 2018 Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia.

All thanks to our #RealLifeHeroes.

We can build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter.

 A tree fell on my house. I was supposed to die,” Lawrence said. Living in the worst disaster-hit region in the world, he was thankful to survive Cyclone Pam when it hit Fiji in 2015.  
 

 

Others like Judith and Paul (right) lost nearly everything in the end-2019 bushfire in New South Wales, Australia. “We have been self-sufficient on this property and we have lived that life for 50 years. Our whole lifestyle has been destroyed, not just the house, but all the sheds, all the tools, all the animals died in the fire. It’s been a real tragedy,” says Judith.

Some of those affected by disasters want to lend a hand. “I just move slower now, but I can still help,” says Romeo (second from left) who rebuilt his home after Philippines was hit by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, one of the strongest trropical cyclones on record.

Ganga took it a step further after the 2015 Nepal earthquake. “Through Habitat’s PASSA program, I learned that the house I tried to build did not meet the national building standard. I underwent skilled masonry training with Habitat. With new skills and knowledge on hand, I started building my new house,” he says.

Whether it’s a natural disaster or a pandemic, you are there.

And we are right beside you.

Our staff
“Immediately after the earthquake, my first instinct was to serve the people who have lost everything and were badly affected,” says Sujata. A staff member of Habitat Nepal, she was attending a function with her family when the devastating earthquake struck in 2015.

“There are many vulnerable people with varied needs, especially women and children living in remote, disaster-prone areas. Being part of Habitat Vietnam’s disaster response projects means having the opportunity to help these vulnerable people overcome difficulties and rebuild their lives post-disaster,” says Yen Nguyen who has been involved with disaster responses since 2009.

“When we respond to a disaster, we deal with the community, the people, the survivors. Our work is all about people. We listen to them and try our best to address their needs,” says Andreas Hapsoro (in Habitat t-shirt), Habitat for Humanity’s Asia-Pacific disaster response specialist.

“I looked back upon my life and realized that it had been so good...The direction moving forward was clear — just give back. Give back to society, give back to the community,” says Chunhui Sim, Habitat Singapore’s Project HomeWorks program manager. She helped cleaned homes when volunteers were not allowed due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Our volunteers
“Thank you, Habitat, for giving us this opportunity to be part of a life-changing project, bringing relief to families affected by disasters,” says Niroshan who volunteered with Habitat Sri Lanka for its response to 2017’s Cyclone Mora.

“The loss of lives and infrastructure in Kerala has been so massive that the entire country needs to come together to Rebuild Kerala,” actress Jacqueline Fernandez (wearing helmet) and Habitat India’s brand ambassador.

“I get a huge amount out of volunteering. I really feel like I can give back to the community,” says Carly, a volunteer for the 2019 New South Wales bushfire response in Australia.

Our homeowners
“My family was involved in rebuilding this house and helped with everything from the foundation to the roof,” says
Niru who built a new home with Habitat after 2015 Nepal earthquake.

“I’m very grateful for this place and for the people who have helped me stand on my feet after the disaster,” says Sarlina. She rebuilt her home and life after the 2018 Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia.

All thanks to our #RealLifeHeroes.

We can build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter.

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Small wins

Despite COVID-19 challenges, more than 2 million supporters backed the 2020 Habitat Young Leaders Build.

Students from a Habitat school club in Vietnam at a charity sale booth

MANILA (Aug. 14, 2020) ― Habitat for Humanity’s Young Leaders Build triumphed in its most challenging season ever to mobilize over 2 million supporters to raise awareness and funds for decent housing in Asia-Pacific. In the most recent campaign that ended on April 25, volunteers and supporters worked on 233 houses and served 3,170 families in 16 countries and one special administrative region.

As with the previous eight campaigns, families worked hand-in-hand with the young leaders. In February 2020, Than Than Aye built a new bamboo house in Bago, north of Yangon, with Japanese youth volunteers. As she has to bring up three children — one of whom has special needs — on her own, she is unable to take on more work. “Our house was totally damaged years ago and we couldn’t rebuild it because of my low income, which was enough only for daily food for my kids,” she says.

Than Than Aye continues about her new home. “I have never dreamt of having this kind of house. This is the happiest I’ve been in my life. Now, my family is safe and comfortable.” With a secure home, Than Than Aye is determined to advance her children‘s education.

Atun, with raised hands, bonding with the volunteers working on her new home.

Atun, with raised hands, bonding with the volunteers working on her new home.

In January 2020, Atun, 97, moved into a new home in Mauk village, Tangerang, west of Indonesia’s capital Jakarta. She had spent a third of her life living in a termite-infested house. Her old house was also damp from leaks through the roof when it rained. Rats and other animals would get into the house and contaminate the food.

During the build with volunteers mobilized by Habitat Indonesia, Atun could not stop smiling and often expressed her gratitude. Currently living with two of her children and two grandchildren, Atun enjoys the sunshine and likes to catch up with neighbors during her walk around the village.

Volunteers and supporters have always been the prime movers of the campaign. This year, however, Habitat Young Leaders Build’s culmination activities took a different course. To prevent the accidental transmission of COVID-19 among volunteers, staff and the communities Habitat works in, in-person activities were suspended from February 2020.

Screenshot (left) of video showing Habitat Cambodia's Youth Ambassador Vy Yaro encouraging online support instead of building onsite.

In a video (left), Habitat Cambodia’s Youth Ambassador Vy Yaro urged supporters to stay safe and show online support instead of building onsite. 

COVID-19 response
Instead of building houses, many Habitat volunteers turned to online activism to help their communities cope with COVID-19. Vy Yaro, Habitat Cambodia’s Youth Ambassador, was slated to build a home in Cambodia on the campaign’s culmination day. Instead he recorded a video to check in with fans and remind them to follow safety protocols and public health recommendations.

Cambodian volunteer Prum Chanvattanak channeled his fundraising efforts in support of Habitat into producing a video to remind his peers to stay at home and observe social distancing as well as provide tips to reduce stress. “I hope the video will be helpful for our community during COVID-19. I believe that this is the power of youth,” he says.

In Thailand, members of Habitat school clubs raised more than 43,000 baht (about US$1,380) in a week through a virtual fundraising challenge. They appealed to their peers to support families in need of decent housing, particularly those whose house construction had to be postponed because of the pandemic. Through homemade videos, volunteers shared their experiences building alongside families and supporting Habitat’s mission.

Students from Don Bosco Technical Institute were among the youth who supported Habitat India’s initial response to COVID-19 by raising US$44,851. The funds enabled local partner organizations to distribute health kits and family essential kits to 2,903 families in various communities where Habitat India has implemented projects.

(From left) Habitat Thailand's thank-you to supporters; Jose Daniel from India shared a video of his volunteer journey #MyBuilDiary and Habitat Korea's fundraising initiative via childhood photos.

(From left) Habitat Thailand’s thank-you to supporters; Jose Daniel from India shared a video of his volunteer journey #MyBuilDiary; and Habitat Korea’s fundraising initiative via childhood photos.

Toward the close of the 2020 Young Leaders Build campaign, the #SafeHomeChallenge drew youth support on social media. By posting a series of photos, the youth raised awareness of a safe home as the first line of defense against the coronavirus. By the end of June, there were more than 1,000 unique posts shared by individuals in over a dozen countries in Asia-Pacific as well as in Hong Kong, the Netherlands, the U.S. and Zambia. At least 1.46 million users have been reached on social media. The challenge is also part of Habitat’s global fundraising initiative Homes, Communities, Hope + You

#myBuilDiary
Adapting to the new normal, some supporters highlighted their own volunteer experiences and journeys with Habitat to raise awareness of the need for adequate housing and engage more young people.

Using the hashtag #myBuilDiary, students used various media to share their insights. “Even if you don’t have any idea about construction, that’s not a problem at all,” Jose Daniel says in a video he uploaded for the campaign. He first built with Habitat India in 2016 in JJ Colony, New Delhi, and has volunteered multiple times over the last five years.

Another volunteer, Ishita Agarwal, a student of King George V School in Hong Kong wrote, “Knowing that I was able to make a physical difference in someone’s life helped me realize just how real the housing crisis really is. Because I am fortunate to not have to worry about living in a place that is unsafe, that doesn’t mean I can ignore. I still have a duty to do my part and make sure that other people are able to experience living in a safe and clean house.” In July, she recorded a video to encourage other young people to volunteer.

Another repeat volunteer, Nepali business student Miraj Pokhrel, says: “Back in May 2011, I got the chance to volunteer with a Global Village team from Habitat Ireland. I helped build two houses in Budhabare.” He spent the next three years as a volunteer for Habitat Young Leaders Build, mobilizing local youth for a sanitation campaign led by him in Bhadrapur. He explains his commitment to the HYLB campaign is due to his enthusiasm for helping and building up other young people.

In Korea, supporters uploaded their childhood photos taken at home to highlight the importance of having a safe place in which to grow up. Every uploaded photo featuring the campaign’s official hashtag brought in a donation of US$1 by a local café that partnered with Habitat Korea. The funds enabled Habitat Korea to support children in need of a decent home

Before COVID-19

Habitat volunteers in Shanghai, China.

Habitat China did its first live stream of youth volunteers working with low-income families and communities.

Soon after Habitat Young Leaders Build was launched in December 2019, some in-person volunteer activities took place in several locations:

  • Bangladesh: MetLife volunteers joined four families at a house dedication ceremony in Kaliganj, Gazipur district, in December 2019. MetLife supported home construction with funding and volunteers.
  • China: Habitat China launched its first live stream on Weibo, a Chinese Twitter-like online networking tool, and Instagram during the campaign culmination. The video featured Habitat China’s urban projects and youth volunteers who worked with low-income families and communities, and called for more youth participation.
  • Fiji: local volunteers participated in clean-up activities and various training sessions on gender sensitivity and disaster risk reduction and resilience.
  • Indonesia: Habitat partnered with university students to raise funds and to help build homes alongside families in need.
  • Japan: 36 students from Habitat campus chapters across the country took part in the first-ever training on the Sustainable Development Goals. During the two-day session supported by DENTSU Scholarship Foundation, they planned individual and group projects to make their communities more sustainable.
  • India: the slew of activities organized with young leaders included The Umbrella campaign that sought to raise awareness in communities on preparing for floods. Habitat India also trained participants through the HYLB Leadership Academy.
  • Myanmar: a team of 14 volunteers from Japan helped build two homes with local families during the third Asia Build.
  • Philippines: Habitat worked with youth including those who have been trained in the Habitat Young Leaders Build’s Leadership Academy, the US Peace Corps volunteers in the Philippines, and members of campus chapters as well as other local youth organizations in community clean-ups and awareness-raising events.
  • Vietnam: students of Canadian International School, The American School, International School in Ho Chi Minh City — American Academy and the Rainbow Youth Club raised awareness and funds for Habitat through charity sales and booths.
Students from a Habitat school club in Vietnam man a charity booth to raise money for Habitat Vietnam for its Habitat Young Leaders Build campaign
Despite COVID-19 challenges, over 2 million supporters backed the 2020 Habitat Young Leaders Build.
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Small wins

Homes, Communities, Hope + You

Habitat’s global fundraising initiative addresses dual health and economic crises caused by the pandemic.

Ganga Devi (center) with her twin grandchildren Aayush (left) and Sadhan in her home in Kavre rebuilt after 2015 Nepal earthquake

MANILA (July 27, 2020) — Amid the pandemic’s unfolding dual crises, life has become even more challenging for many low-income families. Housing is the first line of defense against the coronavirus. Yet one in two people in the Asia-Pacific region lives in overcrowded slums, lacking access to water and sanitation. This region is also home to half the world’s poor — living on US$1.90 or less a day — who risk falling over the edge into chronic poverty.

Habitat’s response to the pandemic addresses both the health and economic fronts. Through its first global fundraising initiative, Homes, Communities, Hope + You, Habitat welcomes all supporters to help families weather the crises and communities to emerge stronger.

The campaign is anchored by four areas: healthy homes; access to secure shelter; housing market and economic recovery; and, advocacy for adequate, affordable housing.

“Housing conditions can literally mean the difference between life and death,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “In any disaster, it is those with the least who are impacted the most. These are the families with whom Habitat partners. Now, more than ever, we need to make sure we are ready and able to answer the call.”

In the Asia-Pacific region, Habitat has launched various initiatives to raise awareness, increase support, and establish partnerships with organizations and corporations. A brief round-up is as follows:

A Cambodian construction worker having his temperature taken at the worksite.

Temperature-taking is among the safety measures adopted by Habitat Cambodia for construction workers and families. Photo: Habitat Cambodia’s Facebook page.

Healthy homes
Safety protocols for workers and future homeowners were implemented with the gradual resumption of construction activity in Cambodia from late May. Habitat Cambodia worked together with the local skilled workers to develop locally available personal protective equipment such as face shields fitted into construction helmets and reusable face masks when working onsite. Handwashing stations and disinfectants are also readily available on worksites.

In addition, future homeowners attend awareness-raising lessons on COVID-19 prevention, have their temperature taken regularly, assist Habitat in ensuring the new safety protocols are consistently practised by the skilled workers, and prevent unauthorized or non-essential visits to the worksite.

(Clockwise from top left) Distribution of hygiene and family essentials kits and the provision of mobile housing support services in India; a portable medical facility developed by startup Modulus Housing.

(Clockwise from top left) Distribution of hygiene and family essentials kits, and the provision of mobile housing support services in India; a portable micro hospital unit developed by startup Modulus Housing. Photos courtesy of Habitat India and Modulus.

To reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in vulnerable communities, Habitat India has distributed over 192,500 hygiene as well as family essential kits, assisting more than 774,800 people as of July 20. It has also launched a mobile unit in Kerala state that offers more than 50 types of housing support services that aim to improve the housing conditions of about 300,000 people. Direct financial assistance such as cash transfers have been provided to over 24,200 families in India to enable them to stay in their homes.

With funding from Habitat’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter, Indian startup Modulus Housing has developed a mobile unit that serves as a temporary medical facility in Kerala. Modulus was among the startups that joined the Terwilliger Center’s ShelterTech Accelerator program in 2019. Known as mediCAB, the 10-bed facility can be set up in two hours and is portable. The 10-bed micro hospital will be launched in partnership with Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology in Wayanad district, Kerala. After it is set up, the local government will assume operations of the facility.

Indonesian frontline worker Rustiana

Rustiana is among 1,600 frontline workers who are provided with temporary accommodation under Habitat Indonesia’s campaign. Photo courtesy of Habitat Indonesia.

After Indonesia declared COVID-19 to be a national disaster on April 13, Habitat Indonesia launched a campaign to provide temporary accommodation for medical workers in the capital Jakarta and Surabaya. Although doctors, nurses, cleaning staff, among others, work hard to battle the pandemic, many could not have adequate rest as they avoided going home to keep their loved ones safe. To date, more than 1,600 medical workers have benefited from this initiative.

Advocacy
In May, an opinion piece published in Devex highlighted the challenges of preventing the spread of COVID-19 in resource-poor areas. The government, the private sector, financial institutions, and civil society need to collaborate to ensure everyone has a decent place to fight the pandemic, Enid Madarcos, Habitat’s urban policy manager for Asia-Pacific, argued.

Meanwhile, Habitat India’s managing director Rajan Samuel penned an article calling for decent shelter to be a bridge between lives and livelihoods during COVID-19.

Jessan Catre, country lead, Philippine Shelter Venture Lab, Habitat for Humanity’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter, highlighted an important segment in the housing market. In his piece for Thomson Reuters, he asserted informal housing markets can make or break a recovery from the pandemic and recommended key actions to keep low-income households at the center of governments’ responses.

Between May and July, Habitat also organized a three-part “Our Homes, Our Health” webinar series in collaboration with Purdue University and Penn State University. Coming from different sectors, panelists tackled issues on the implementation of stay-at-home measures in the Global South; media advocacy; systemic and emerging risks on global health and housing; interdisciplinary frameworks for technical solutions; and mitigation strategies drawing on vulnerable groups’ experiences.

A post from Vietnam in response to #StayHomeChallenge.

A post from Vietnam in response to #StayHomeChallenge.

In June, the #SafeHomeChallenge campaign was launched to engage youth supporters in raising awareness of a safe home as the first line of defense against the coronavirus. By the end of June, there were more than 1,000 unique posts shared by individuals in 18 countries as well as Hong Kong. At least 1.46 million users have been reached on social media.

In addition, short video testimonials on Habitat’s COVID-19 response around the world have been released. Among those featured were Habitat Nepal’s architect Tripti Mahaseth as well as Habitat’s Asia-Pacific operations director Anna Konotchick and senior manager for housing and land policy Rebecca Ochong.

For over 35 years, Habitat has been working to build homes, communities and hope. The need for safe, adequate housing that we work so hard to meet every day will only grow during the COVID-19 crisis. Now more than ever, we need you. Together, we can find our way forward.

We are grateful for all your support. To contribute financially, please visit habitat.org/donate. To find out more about Habitat’s work in the Asia-Pacific region, please subscribe to our newsletter or visit habitat.org/asiapacific. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Ganga Devi (center) with her twin grandchildren Aayush (left) and Sadhan in her home in Kavre rebuilt after 2015 Nepal earthquake
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Homes, Communities, Hope + You

Sakina the breadwinner

Sakina could start building a better life for her family after becoming a Habitat homeowner in Bangladesh.

Habitat homeowner Sakina catching up on work at home in Bangladesh

Sakina has come a long way since she was a young bride of 17. She took on the responsibility of providing for her family after her husband had a stroke in 2011. Now she earns about 3,500 Bangladeshi taka (US$40) a month as a community health worker in pregnancy and newborn care with a national development organization.

In the early days of her marriage, home was her parents-in-law’s house in Bhandarikathi, a village in Barisal district, south-central Bangladesh. When her two brothers-in-laws started their own families after marriage, the house became more crowded.

Sakina and her husband Alomgir were able to have their own living quarters before their first child was born. The traditional house was given by her husband’s family. It had bamboo pillars and walls made of elephant grass and corrugated galvanized iron sheets for its roof.

Sakina and her daughter Sadia in front of their old house in Bangladesh

When her family was living in their old house, Sakina had to send her son and daughter Sadia (right) to their neighbor’s house whenever it rained heavily.

The family’s income used to come from a tea stall that Alomgir ran in the local market. His business was doing well until he had a stroke and became partially paralyzed. Sakina struggled to pay for her husband’s medical bills while caring for their son Rakib, then aged 10, and their one-year-old daughter Sadia.

After a relatively long period of treatment, Alomgir, 48, has recovered to a certain extent but he can neither exert strength nor work for too long. By making or repairing fishing nets, he can make about 400 to 500 taka (US$5-$6) a month.

Sakina recalls: “We had quite a nice home for several years. However, as time went by, our home became worn out, rusty and broken in several places. We needed to repair the old home very often, especially during the monsoon, to stay dry.” During heavy rains, the couple had to cover all their belongings with polythene sheets and send their children to a neighbor’s house for safety.

Alomgir would also get colds and coughs and he was not the only one. “With a damp floor, poor air and inadequate light, the house was unhealthy and our kids would get sick,” says Sakina.

(Left) Alomgir repairing a fishing net; (right) Alomgir with his wife Sakina outside their house.

Alomgir makes and repairs fishing nets at the house that he shares with Sakina (right) and their two children. Photos (main and above): Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh/Pablo Amos Halder.

It was only after she became a Habitat homeowner in May 2019 that she could focus on the future. About three months after moving in, Sakina constructed a room at the back of the house for her son Rakib, now 19, who is studying sociology in a local college. Her daughter Sadia, 9, is a student in the third grade.

“This new home has improved our health and significantly reduced medical costs. My dream is for my kids to complete their education and be established in life,” Sakina shares. “This house has given me the foundation to build a better life for my family,” she says, adding that she is happy and confident about the future.

Sakina’s family is among five families in Bakerganj upazila, Barishal district, who built homes under the partnership between Habitat Bangladesh and the Ahmad Family Fund. That project also supported a total of 40 home renovations and installation of three deep tube-wells. Since October 2017, the partnership has enabled more than 380 families in five districts to improve their lives through decent housing and adequate water and electricity access.

In two decades of working in Bangladesh, Habitat for Humanity has partnered with over 1,200 families to build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. Visit habitatbangladesh.org for more information or follow facebook.com/HabitatBD

Habitat homeowner Sakina catching up on work at home in Bangladesh
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The breadwinner
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