As safe as houses – Habitat for Humanity's work in Papua New Guinea

For more than two decades, Habitat for Humanity has been building safe, decent and affordable homes in Papua New Guinea, and the benefits are increasingly clear to Habitat home partners and communities.

Possibly the most significant benefit is peace. Tribal fighting in the Western Highlands province of the country has been a frequent occurrence in the past 27 years and police intervention has not been effective.

However, the hope is that homes can help to quell clan conflicts. According to Samuel Ruminates, chairman of the executive board of the Habitat for Humanity's Western Highlands affiliate, the building "kills two birds with one stone: it provides affordable houses and prevents tribal fighting". Ruminates believes the people with permanent Habitat for Humanity houses will not risk losing their new homes by joining in clan conflicts. "Habitat will give them a baby to look after," he said.

"When people have a good house, they don't want to fight. This housing program will change the thinking of the people," added Nathan Wantape, Chairman of Finance in the Western Highlands' provincial government.

Among the more conventional benefits are the time and money Habitat for Humanity home partner families save from not having to rebuild or repair traditional houses. Traditional Papua New Guinea homes, made of increasingly scarce bush materials, have to be replaced every three to four years due to damage from tropical storms, and the constant maintenance needed for leaking grass roofs is also a drain on families' limited resources.

"I feel comfortable and secure in my new house. It doesn't leak like my old one. I can now concentrate on generating income rather than on shelter," said Sana, a 51-year-old widow who grows the cash crop, betel nut and who shares her three-bedroom Habitat for Humanity home with her three sons and three young grandchildren in the western Morobe province. Security is provided by way of solid doors with locks that not only keep strangers out, but also give families like Sana's their first taste of privacy.

Solid Habitat for Humanity homes made of brick or timber also mean marked improvements in personal safety and health. Cooking in a traditional home made of easily flammable materials poses a fire hazard. The build up of smoke indoors also leads to respiratory problems. In contrast, Habitat for Humanity homes incorporate features to improve health - for example, sealing windows with protective mosquito gauze to help prevent the spread of malaria.

Children also enjoy a more conducive environment to study in. Habitat home partner Mike who lives in Morobe province said: "My daughters now have a proper place to study where they can be comfortable and secure."

Dedication day is the day when keys to the new homes are handed over to homeowners and it is also the time when the bulk of payments for the houses are collected. A Save and Build micro-finance scheme is used in Papua New Guinea where savings groups comprising ten members each are formed. When a group has saved 50 per cent of the cost of a house, which can range from £540 to £990, Habitat matches the remaining cost and building begins. The savings cycle continues until each member has received his or her house.

As well as making the chance of owning a home more affordable the Save & Build scheme also helps to strengthen communities and mobilise villagers, as they first save up for a Habitat for Humanity house and later live up to their new status as permanent home owners.

Admiring their new kitchen and living room, proud home partner Paul explained: "Here we can look forward to a bright and stable future. This is the beginning of our new life."

Find out more about Habitat for Humanity's work in Papua New Guinea