Citibank Germany takes part in first-ever build with Habitat

CAIRO – Citibank Germany embarked on its first Global Village trip ever in April with a two-day build in Egypt to construct houses for homeless people.

Eight Citibank employees traveled 150 miles south of Cairo to build in a community called Beni Mohammad Shar’awy, which is located near El Minya city. Habitat for Humanity Egypt (HFH Egypt) worked with Citibank Germany employees for two days to finish several walls and provide houses with simple roofs.

“It was a nice feeling to be able to help people in need,” said Abdul Akpinar, Mobile Sales Force, Citibank Germany. “The perspective changes as you see with your own eyes how people in other countries have to manage their everyday life. Little things in every day life have more significance.”

Poverty housing is particularly common in rural areas like El Minya province where many people live in sub-standard housing conditions with no means of improving their situation. Homes are often made of mud and do not have windows or doors. The homes have poor insulation and, as a result, are cold in the winter and hot in the summer. Many people live in over-crowded conditions and, in some cases, with cattle. These circumstances result in a lack of hygiene, making it easier for disease to spread.

On top of the deplorable standard of living, unemployment and poverty are high in El Minya. But HFH Egypt, which was established in 1989 and works in 15 communities in El Minya and Cairo, is helping to boost the local economy by purchasing construction supplies such as white limestone from the quarry and employing local builders. This has allowed many people living in the community to stay there rather than migrate elsewhere to look for work.

HFH Egypt also works with members in these communities by offering non-profit loans to replace inadequate roofs with wooden ones. A change this small can help create a secure home, protect families from the elements and allows families to build a second floor in the future.

Citibank Germany began working with HFH Germany in October 2006 by assisting in board development and foundational support to strengthen resource development capability of HFH Germany; promoting Habitat and its cause by means of collaborative approach in public, press and marketing activities; and getting staff involved by organizing Global Village trips.

HFH Germany began operations in 1998 and is now based in Cologne. The main focus is on corporate relations, Global Village and lobby work to find supporters, sponsors and volunteers for all of Habitat’s worldwide programs.

Citigroup is a “Cornerstone Partner” of HFH globally and has contributed significant donations and days with employee volunteer involvement in the UK, Ireland, Poland and Hungary.