Desmond Tutu Building on Faith Week 2009

Saturday 12th to Sunday 20th September 2009, Cape Town, South Africa

Habitat for Humanity is looking for 120 volunteers to come and help another 20 families escape housing poverty? Will you join us on the Desmond Tutu Building on Faith Week for the experience of a lifetime?

Each volunteer team will work with the chosen homepartner family, who are currently living in a shack, to build their new home in just 7 days. All you need is the desire to make a difference and plenty of enthusiasm! No building skills are required. Working under the supervision of local trades people you could find yourself block laying, mixing mortar, roofing, or painting. You won't be asked to do anything you feel uncomfortable doing and you will receive training each step of the way.

By sweating, laughing and working together with the new homeowners, their friends and neighbours, and other volunteers, you will accomplish this seemingly impossible task.

As the cement walls go up, other walls come crashing down – walls between language and gender, colour and culture. Most of all, you will have helped ensure that 20 families can face the Cape winter with the certainty that leaking roofs and cold winds driving through rickety shacks are a thing of the past.

Nearly half of the 47 million population live below the poverty line. And almost 10 million South Africans live in poverty housing – nearly 1 in 5 of the population. The housing backlog alone is estimated at 2.5 million houses. In addition to the enormous need for housing and services, rapid urbanisation and the effects of Apartheid have resulted in a fracturing of traditional structures, families and community.

Hailed as ‘the miracle nation’, South Africa made the peaceful transition from Apartheid to democratic government in the spirit of ‘unity in diversity’. Now, a new challenge is facing South Africa: the challenge to build a brighter future and end poverty housing.

The Desmond Tutu Building on Faith Week 2009 is a great opportunity to put your faith into practical action that will make a real difference. As you demonstrate God's love to a community in need, you will experience township life, and most of all you will help a family build their new home – changing their lives forever. But there is a warning: it may change your life as well!

Total Cost including donation - £1195 per person*
This includes Airport transfers to the hotel (for those arriving on 13th September on flights SA221 and BA059) and airport transfers to the airport (on 19th September for flights SA220 and BA058),3 star accommodation (based on two twin rooms/double rooms sharing one bathroom), insurance, local transport, meals as per itinerary, water and donation.

Accomodation

You will be staying in the Breakwater Lodge, ideally positioned in the heart of Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront development. Once a 19th Century prison, the Breakwater Lodge today provides comfortable and affordable hotel accommodation in a spectacular setting that looks over the bay and up onto Table Mountain.

Not Included

Flights (we can help you arrange these), airport transfers to the hotel (apart from those listed above), additional drinks, meals as per the itinerary, tips, personal protection equipment, UK travel, visa, vaccinations, extensions at Breakwater Lodge, optional excursions (including add-on safaris). For safaris and other excursions which extend your stay, you may like to contact Spirit of Africa, the ground handler for the Desmond Tutu Building on Faith week or email enquiries@spiritofafrica.co.za

*Donation - Our trips are both a building and fundraising challenge. Built into the Challenge Cost is a donation of Rand 7,333 (approximately £495) which will go to Habitat for Humanity South Africa to pay for the costs associated with the house and build. On signing up, we ask you to take up the challenge of raising an even larger donation if you can, as this money will ensure that many more homes can be built. We will provide you with a fundraising toolbox to help you fundraise for this trip.

Insurance / Health and Safety

Included in the cost of your trip is a comprehensive insurance package that will serve all of your needs and support you in an accident or emergency situation. All teams will receive a daily briefing about Health and Safety in their site orientations. For your own protection you are required to bring the following mandatory safety items: steel toe-capped boots, work gloves, protective goggles and a dust mask. You will be provided with a hard hat.

Register your interest in the Desmond Tutu Building on Faith Week 2009.

See photos from the Desmond Tutu Building on Faith Week 2008.

Individual volunteering
Dates and destinations of individual volunteer trips
Group volunteering