Habitat for Humanity Romania holds Big Build 2013
Bratislava/Bucharest (7 October 2013) – Big Build is an annual event through which Habitat for Humanity Romania marks World Habitat Day, celebrated every year on the first Monday of October. Big Build 2013 takes place in Vizuresti, Dambovita County, between October 7-11 and is the fifth edition of this accelerated construction event. “This year, Habitat for Humanity Romania is reaching out to support families in this community, and we want to send a strong message of support for the value of local communities. There are 1,400 people living in the community of Vizuresti, 65 percent of who are ethnic Roma. Like previous years, this Big Build event is possible thanks to the collaboration of many local, national and international partners”, says Mario DeMezzo, National Director of Habitat for Humanity Romania.
For the fifth consecutive year, Habitat for Humanity Northern Ireland has brought a group of Northern Irish volunteers who, this year, will stay in Vizuresti for a week. The volunteers will work alongside members of the Vizuresti community and other national volunteers in the shared spirit of helping one another to create a better future.
Big Build 2013 volunteers will renovate a local medical center in Vizuresti, upgrade a local school of Vizuresti for 204 students and insulate a kindergarten for 41 children. They will also create space for after-school activities and non-formal education for students and adults from the community by building a community center of 70 square meters.
Big Builds are more than merely construction. The event aims to show that the Habitat mission can grow only with the support of communities, local authorities and those who want to make a positive change in their communities. Cooperation and mutual support are values which guide Habitat for Humanity Romania in every project.
From 2009, when the first Big Build was held in Bihor County, the event has received recognition from some of the leading authorities in the nonprofit field including two first-place awards in the categories “projects and volunteer campaigns” and “social inclusion” from the Civil Society Gala and also in the category of “best volunteer program of the year” from the National Volunteer Gala.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that safe and affordable housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, Habitat has helped more than 3 million people construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes since 1976. Habitat also advocates for fair and just housing policies and provides training and access to resources to help more families improve their shelter conditions. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To get more information, to donate or to volunteer, please visit www.habitateurope.org.