International
Milestone Year for
HFH Thailand
At its first annual meeting in June, Habitat for Humanity Thailand celebrated achievements and planned for the future. About 80 national and affiliate board members, staff members, homeowners, volunteers, students and prospective affiliate groups discussed Habitat’s work throughout the country. Among the accomplishments: More than 100 students signed up for a Habitat Club at Payap University in Chiang Mai; Bike and Build plans are under way for early 2002; and Udon Thani HFH dedicated Thailand’s 50th Habitat house.
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United States
A Busy Summer for
Santa Fe HFH
Summer is the busiest time for most U.S. affiliates. Consider Santa Fe (N.M.) Habitat for Humanity.
In May, 14 RV Care-A-Vanners—Habitat volunteers who travel to builds in their recreational vehicles—spent two weeks installing insulation, hanging drywall and preparing the exterior of a house for a stucco finish.
By June, 20 volunteers arrived from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to help further construction. The group, which included Catholics and Protestants, was organized by the Conservation Volunteers of Northern Ireland and funded through the International Fund for Ireland. IFI’s mission is to foster cross-cultural harmony between the two countries. Santa Fe HFH offered volunteers an opportunity to develop building skills and architectural experience in a city with a history of diverse cultures.
Construction began in July on Santa Fe HFH’s second Women Build house and will continue until November. About 2,000 women participated in building the affiliate’s first Women Build house last year.
In August, a new Habitat house was featured in Santa Fe’s Parade of Homes. “I hope to have a housewarming party with family, friends and every single person who helped,” says homeowner Keri Durfee, who looks forward to the privacy a three-bedroom house will offer her and her two children.
Finally, the affiliate celebrated Habitat’s Building on Faith week from Sept. 9-16 by encouraging 25 of Santa Fe’s faith communities to get involved in building during that time.
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—Rebekah Graydon
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