A DOWNPATRICK woman who went on a life changing trip to Ethiopia with Habitat for Humanity is encouraging others to volunteer.
Lauren Hamilton travelled to Ethiopia with the housing charity in July to help build homes alongside future home owner families as part of a Habitat Global Village volunteer team.
Speaking about her experience, Lauren said it soon became clear they weren’t just building homes.
“We were giving them the hand up they needed to build their own way out of poverty,” she said. “It reaffirmed the unique impact of Habitat’s work on vulnerable people.
“It was a privilege to work alongside truly inspiring women in the local community who were determined to build a better future for their families. It gave me a true sense of how something so simple as a decent home can have a huge impact on a family.”
Describing the trip as one of the best experiences of her life, Lauren said: “It was so rewarding to be part of a team and work alongside the future homeowner families.
“I would like to thank those who donated money and wished me well on my trip. I would thoroughly encourage everyone in the local community to get involved in this life changing experience and volunteer with Habitat NI in 2014.”
In 2014 the charity has similar volunteer opportunities open to any individual or small group to destinations including Ethiopia, Cambodia, South Africa and Romania. Special builds including a Women Build in India. This unique event will bring together women from all over the world to work beside local women and learn about the impact of poverty housing first hand.
Over the last 12 years more than 4,000 people from across Northern Ireland have travelled as Global Village volunteers to some of the world’s poorest communities to help families in desperate need of safe, decent shelter build their way out of poverty.
Joanne Briggs, Habitat’s local volunteer manager, said: “Every day in almost 80 countries around the world Habitat for Humanity is helping families build their own way out of poverty.
“Habitat works beside people; building or renovating homes, helping change the policies which keep people trapped in poverty or ensuring families get access to clean water which can make a world of difference to a whole community.
“More than 90 per cent of our work goes on every day in local communities, yet volunteers remain at the heart of our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live because we believe that the transformational impacts, the building of relationships and hope can change how the world works.”
Habitat for Humanity is hosting information sessions for individuals or groups interested in finding out more. The next session will take place on Thursday, November 21 at 7.30pm at Habitat ReStore, Riverside Centre, Lisburn. Other dates and full details of the 2014 opportunities are available at www.habitatni.co.uk or by emailing gv@habitatni.co.uk