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Home construction

24 nov.. 2024 — 30 nov.. 2024

Bolivia - Santa Cruz

Is this build opportunity for me?

  • Hammer Home Construction
  • Weather Warm
  • Calendar Oct 24 - Nov 01
  • Language Spanish
  • Currency ~$2,000 CAD + air transportation + ~$300* CAD

Our team will work alongside local masons and community members in Santa Cruz, Bolivia to help construct bathrooms and water tanks to improve the water and sanitation conditions in the area. For more than 30 years, Habitat for Humanity Bolivia has helped families living in substandard and unhealthy conditions and has provided housing solutions that improved the lives of more than 12,891 families across the country.

Housing need in Bolivia

Bolivia has a high housing deficit. However, there have been significant reductions in extreme poverty in the country (from 38 percent in 2005 to 25 percent in 2010). In the same period, moderate poverty was reduced from 60 percent to 49 percent.

The housing deficit increases by 30,000 homes per year (63.8 percent of the Bolivian population in urban areas and 36.2 percent in the rural areas do not own a home). Moreover, 31 percent of the population have homes built with inadequate materials (buildings requiring repairs, renovations and/or renewals) and 64.8 percent of the population own homes with insufficient space.

Bathrooms and Water Tanks for each family

Baths and water tanks for all is a water and sanitation project to improve the conditions of families in the backbone of the country, which do not have the minimum sanitary conditions. The urbanization and exponential growth of urban spots without adequate planning capacity, result in areas of the conurbation with a high urbanization rate without access to basic services and with conflicts in secure land tenure. These characteristics show the need to implement projects like this one that provide solutions to problems faced by families in vulnerable situations.

The objective is to benefit families from La Paz, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz, giving priority to families with female heads of household and people with disabilities. The design of these bathrooms, in line with the climate change resilience guideline, will comply with water saving with a collection system that will be useful for the economy of families and the environment.

For more information visit Habitat Bolivia's website, here.

Saturday: Arrive in Kathmandu

Your adventure begins today with your arrival in Nepal’s capital city, Kathmandu. We will arrange your transfer from Tribhuvan International Airport to your hotel, where you will have time to unpack and unwind. You will finally get to meet your fellow volunteers, your Team Leader and the Habitat for Humanity coordinator, who will accompany you at a special welcome dinner for the week.

Sunday: Travel to the project site, welcome & orientation

After breakfast, the team will take a short (35 min) flight to Biratnagar airport (arranged by Habitat), where you will be transferred to your build-week hotel. Habitat Nepal will hold a formal introduction and lead you through a thorough in-country orientation, where you will learn about Nepal’s culture and housing situation, the project site, building techniques, essential announcements about logistics, etc. After another lovely dinner, you will enjoy a good night’s sleep to prepare for your first day on site!

Monday: Begin construction of the house

Arriving on the build site for your first day of construction, you’ll meet the family whose home you will be helping to construct and will have the opportunity to learn about their stories. The construction supervisor and local labourers will show you the ropes, and you can start the house construction. There will be rest breaks for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea, which will all be provided on-site. You can stop for a drink of water and a break as often as you need. At the end of the day, you’ll enjoy the flavours of Nepal at the team dinner and a well-earned rest!

Tuesday to Thursday: Full days building with your teammates

You will see the new house take shape over the next few days and you will be amazed at how much can be achieved in just one week. From preparing bamboo columns and beams, weaving bamboo, applying mud mortar to walls, or painting, there are plenty of ways to contribute. Each night we will take you to some local restaurants, where you can experience mouthwatering cuisine as you unwind with the team and get to know one another better. The evenings are a chance to relax, swim in the hotel pool and recharge your batteries for the following day’s work.

Friday: House dedication ceremony & farewell

The closing day is emotional for everyone involved. You will spend the morning adding the finishing touches to the house and maybe even some celebratory decorations. You will welcome the partner family to their new home and reflect together on the contribution that you have all made. This is the time to celebrate with the community all your hard work and imagine the new life that the partner family will have in the home that you have built.

Saturday: Return to Kathmandu

Today you will check out of the build-week hotel and take the short flight back to Kathmandu. You may catch a return flight home today, or wait until tomorrow. If you stay in Kathmandu, there is so much to see in this ancient city with rabbit-warren-like streets, set in a valley surrounded by the Himalayan mountains and home to several World Heritage Sites: the Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath. You could dodge monkeys and admire the views of Kathmandu at Swayambhu Nath stupa or chill out in Kathmandu’s Garden of Dreams. After more exploring or well-deserved R&R, the team meets for a final dinner to celebrate the team effort and the end of an incredible week with your group.

Sunday: Global Village concludes

Today you will head back home (unless you left the previous evening) or continue your travels. There is so much to offer in Nepal. Have you ever considered Everest Base Camp? Although your build has ended, you will have unforgettable memories and long-lasting friendships that will keep the experience alive for a long time.