Global Village Program Fact Sheet

How is a Global Village trip different than a normal holiday?
A Global Village trip is a holiday with a purpose. You will help to build a simple, decent and affordable home for a family in need. The homeowners and other volunteers will be working alongside you sharing your joys and frustrations. You will see another country and culture in a way that no tour group can provide. You will see it through the eyes of those who live there and sometimes struggle to survive there.

Global Village is an adventure. The adventure is found not only in discovering a different culture or learning a new skill, but also in learning more about yourself and what you can contribute to the world.

Do I need to have any special construction skills?
Anyone can join who has the enthusiasm and motivation to participate in a Global Village trip. No other skills are required. There will be supervisors on hand to show you how to build.

What kind of construction work would I do?
You could be mixing concrete or mortar, laying blocks, making window frames, digging foundations, plastering, painting, or gardening. The work will depend on the local construction techniques and the stage the building programme has reached at the time of your trip.

What about sightseeing and time to relax?
Unlike tour groups, our itineraries are not highly structured. Itineraries are balanced with plenty of work, rest and free time. Your HFH hosts offer teams a "backdoor" welcome to their community and encourage teams to visit local cultural "treasures".

Where will I stay? What will I eat?
You will need to have a sense of adventure and be flexible. Depending on the particular trip, accommodation may be in the form of a shared room, a guesthouse, or even a tent! You will also have the opportunity to sample local cuisine. In fact, the evening meal on the last day of construction work is always a memorable celebration. There will also always be a plentiful supply of clean drinking water and we try to cater for specific dietary requirements.

How long is a Global Village trip?
It is approximately 2-3 weeks including travel, construction work and recreational activities.

How much does it cost and what is included?
GV trip costs depend on the country visited, the HFH host affiliate and the length of the trip. All trip costs include room and board, in-country transportation, travel insurance and a donation toward the host community’s building program. Airfare, cancellation protection and baggage insurance are not included in the cost. Some participants cover all of their costs, while many others engage in fund-raising campaigns. The GV department has fund-raising resources available. Cost estimates (US$) for a 9- to 14-day trip (not including airfare) are:

How can I raise the money?
Fundraising for a Habitat for Humanity trip can be half the fun of the whole experience!  Habitat volunteers have let their creativity flow in their fundraising adventures, including events like ‘bid on a date’ evening, arts & craft sales, car washes, entering a ‘bike-a-thon’ and getting pledges from friends, throwing a ‘theme party’, holding an ‘auction’ of services (such as a dinner cooked by someone; dog walking services, etc.); holding a music/drama evening.

“Just try it once; you get back so much more than you give, no matter how hard you work,” said Andy Nelson from Troy NY, who participated in a Global Village trip to Gdansk, Poland.

What is the maximum age to participate?
There is no maximum age. However, you may be required to provide a physician’s statement of suitability.

What about health requirements?
Global Village trip can be physically demanding. Physical disability or a medical condition should not prevent you from taking part. If there is likely to be a problem we will let you know and suggest an alternative (e.g. another trip where medical facilities are more easily accessible).

What about safety on the build site?
Team safety is of paramount importance. We always try to minimize risk but should there be an accident, there will be access to qualified medical consultation and services regardless of your team’s location. Holiday medical insurance is also provided.

What kind of travel documents do I need?
You must hold a valid passport, which has at least 6 months left after you return home. Although you are responsible for obtaining your visas, you will be notified if one is required.