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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why Should I Go?
Global Village teams offer a fantastic opportunity to make a real, physical contribution to helping provide a better life for a family in need.
The concentration of people, volunteers and others, for a short time, usually five days to two weeks, hugely accelerates a Habitat affiliate’s
building schedule.
The use of volunteers means the host affiliate can provide more families with homes more quickly.
It can move onto the next project more speedily.
Everyone is welcome. Volunteers with building skills are especially welcome.
The emphasis is not on what you can do, but on your availability and desire to work alongside a
future homeowner who has obviously shown his or her need, and demonstrated a desire to partner
with Habitat and our work within the community.
Global Village is a journey that will transform your life.
What Can I Expect?
Living and working with those on need in another country is a life-changing experience. Through your willingness to partner with others you'll learn about a host community's customs, culture and economic circumstances.
As a participant, you'll experience giving of yourself in a new and diverse environment. You’ll experience a unique camaraderie and build lasting friendships with fellow team members, and with Habitat home partner families. Such bonds are often more meaningful and lasting than hammering another nail or laying another brick.
During a visit, you do more than work on a construction site. You learn about what poverty housing really means. You become a part of your host’s community, experiencing daily life and meeting new people. You’ll gain an insight into localities that normal tourists rarely witness.
Itineraries are balanced with plenty of work, and plenty of recreational activities and free time.
Traveling and working in unfamiliar places overseas is challenging as well as rewarding. Plans change and work may progress more slowly than expected. You need to have the right mind-set: a flexible attitude and commitment to Global Village team leader and fellow team members.
Most of all: remember to be a blessing not a burden on the host community
What Types of Global Village Trips Are There?
Every Global Village team has a leader.
Some leaders recruit “open” teams, inviting individuals from many different backgrounds for join.
Some prefer “closed” teams, recruiting people from a company, a church, a college, a school, and other specialized groups.
“Women Builds” are one popular type of “closed” team as many women find enjoy the opportunity to try new physical
experiences away from the gaze of men.
I Don’t Have Any Experience of Construction Sites. Can I Still Help?
Everyone is welcome. Volunteers with building skills are especially welcome.
You only need to know how to hold a hammer or a paintbrush.
You may be asked to move blocks, lay bricks (with some tuition), dig a hole, mix cement,
push a wheel barrow … or organize refreshments.
There are plenty of tasks for everyone. The more volunteers, the less strain!
Is It Safe?
EGlobal Village trips are only scheduled to host countries and locations that are deemed to be safe for overseas visitors.
Each Habitat construction site is supervised by a Habitat person with construction experience.
Volunteers are only allowed to use tools and equipment deemed to be safe:
and they are shown how to use them properly.
Your team receives a safety orientation on arrival and there are safety reminders each day.
What Will It Cost?
The cost of joining a Global Village team varies, of course, on the area visited, the host community and the length of the trip.
We ask every Global Village volunteer to make a donation to the host Habitat community in addition to covering their own travel, living and sightseeing costs. This donation is an important part in building the financial strength of Habitat groups.
Donations help boost local revolving Habitat funds. These “Revolving Fund for Humanity” recycle money from a new homeowner’s house loan repayments, donations and no-interest loans provided by supporters, and money earned by fund-raising activities. Monies are recycled to build more houses.
You may choose to cover all of your own costs: many participants are happy to pay for themselves. Others, such as students, engage in fund-raising campaigns. They contact family, friends, colleges, churches, civic clubs and others, raising awareness about Habitat’s work as well as funds for their trip.
Normally different levels of accommodation, offering different levels of comfort at different prices, are available.
As a rough estimate, a Global Village trip to an Asia-Pacific country costs around US$1,100-1,800 per person. That includes room and board, insurance and a donation, but excludes air fares and other travel-related costs.
Is The Cost of A Global Village Trip Tax-deductible?
Tax authorities in different countries have different rules for deducting charitable donations and related expenses.
US citizens can normally deduct the cost of their travel expenses and donations from their tax returns under the 1986
Tax Act.
Volunteers from Hong Kong, Singapore and elsewhere may also be able to deduct the value of a donation through not travel expenses.
Habitat for Humanity provides letters of acknowledgement to document contributions and/or payments from supporters.
Consult your tax and financial advisor.
Are There Any Age Restrictions?
Yes, Volunteers less than 18 years of age – 20 or 21 in some Asia-Pacific countries – are restricted in what tasks they are allowed to
perform because of health and safety considerations. They must also be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.
Some Habitat affiliates prefer only adult teams.
How Much Building Would I Do On A Global Village Trip?
It depends on the length of the trip. Generally, there is a balance of work and recreation.
Organizers are aware that few Global Village participants are experienced construction workers.
They try and ensure participants get plenty of breaks within a trip itinerary and within daily schedules.
They also assign work tasks in line with participants’ capabilities.
How Can I Find Out More?
The Global Village Program operates in Asia-Pacific and throughout the world. Some countries and territories, such as Japan,
Singapore and Hong Kong send Global Village teams. Some only acts as hosts. Australia, Korea and the Philippines host and send
Global Village teams. For more details, contact your nearest Habitat national office or affiliate, or e-mail
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