Habitat for Humanity International

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project

I was one of the three people Habitat for Humanity of Dane County sponsored for the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project in Haiti.  This trip was without a doubt the hardest thing I have ever done in my life!  It is also the best thing I have ever done. Below are a few pictures of the trip.

The picture to the right was taken as we flew into the airport.  The size of the disaster is staggering.  There are 2.5 million people living in a 75 square mile slum. The pictures below show the conditions they are living in almost 2 years after the earthquake.  They are living in overcrowded conditions, without clean water, electricity or sanitation. 

There is a photo of the homes our team built.  They still need to be painted and steps built in the back.  You can see a drain spout on the house on the left.  Each house will have one on each side and will have 2 rain barrels to collect water.  The houses don’t look like much, but compared to what they are living in now, they are more than they ever could have hoped for.  Each house is 200 square feet.  They are built to withstand earthquakes and hurricanes. 

Haitians spend most of their time outside.  They cook, eat, wash clothes, take baths, everything outside.  The houses are for sleeping and giving shelter in storms.  They also will have doors and windows that lock to protect themselves and their children and the few possessions they may still have.  The 100 houses that our teams built will provide shelter for 750 people. 

There are 660,000 people still living in squalor. We have improved the lives of 750 people.  It’s a good start. 

Thank you so much for the opportunity of a lifetime.  I plan to spread the word that the problems in Haiti are far from over.  

Joey Whitcomb

Dear Friends and Supporters of Habitat for Humanity of Dane County,

I knew going to Haiti would be a transforming experience of a lifetime. It was for me and for all the families of new homeowners of the 100 new homes we built in Leogane during Nov. 6-11 an amazing experience. However, it  goes beyond that in the hearts of so many other Haitians who now see a ray of HOPE in their future. Haiti is an extremely desparate country in the western hemisphere but a people of determination and joy. Thank you for the opportunity to represent Dane County Habitat for Humanity as a volunteer builder in Haiti,

Dee Wylie
 

Habitat for Humanity of Dane County is part of a worldwide network of similar organizations throughout the United States and the world, under the umbrella of Habitat for Humanity International.

Habitat seeks to eliminate poverty housing from the world and make adequate shelter a matter of conscience and action. People of all faiths and socio-economic status work together in building simple, decent homes and a strong sense of community.

HFHI operates in more than 1,500 locations in the United States and in 63 countries worldwide. Habitat has built 500,000 homes around the world, providing more than 2 million people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter.

US Habitat Affiliates have designated funds to help other affiliates build houses. These designations are called a "tithe."

House for a House Program
Your HFHDC donation can be designated for homes in other countries or outside Dane County. Since we began, our Dane County affiliate has contributed $549,000 to build homes throughout the world. This year, an additional $40,000 has been budgeted for building homes internationally and in areas of need in the United States.

Contributions to HFHDC have helped build homes in: Gulf Coast, USA, Southeast Asia, Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico, Honduras, Puerto Rico, Liberia and Vietnam. To learn more about donating internationally, e-mail Habitat's Perry Ecton or call 255-1549.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, are Habitat International’s most visible volunteers. They demonstrate their commitment to Habitat by working at a major international building project each year and serving as active Habitat International Board members.