Why Should I Go?
What Can I Expect?
What Will It Cost?
Who Is Involved?
Are There Any Age Restrictions?
How Much Building Would I Do On A Global Village Trip?
How Can I Find Out More?


Why Should I Go?

Global Village teams offer a fantastic opportunity for “a holiday with a difference”.
The concentration of people, volunteers and others, for a short time, usually five days to
two weeks, hugely accelerates the host affiliate’s building schedule. The affiliate can provide more families with homes more quickly. It can move onto the next project more speedily.

Volunteers with building skills are most welcome. And so is everyone else. You only
need to know how to hold a hammer, or even a paintbrush. You may be asked to organize refreshments.

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 their need, and demonstrated their desire to partner with Habitat and our work within the community.

What Can I Expect?

Living and working with an affiliate is often a life-changing experience. Through your willingness to partner with people in need, often in other countries, you'll learn about a host community's customs, culture and economic circumstances.

You'll form a once-in-a-lifetime bond with other members of your team as you travel, live, work, eat and worship together, often in simple settings. As a participant, you'll experience giving of yourself in a new and diverse environment.

Global Village trips are different from usual tourist trips. Host Habitat affiliates offer teams an insight into their 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, often overseas, is challenging as well as rewarding. Plans change and work may progress more slowly than expected. Global Village participants need to have the right mind-set: a flexible attitude and commitment to their team leader and fellow team members.

You will find relationships with team members and the host community more meaningful and lasting than another nail hammered or another brick put into place.

What Will It Cost?

The cost of joining a Global Village team varies, of course, on the area visited, the host affiliate and the length of the trip.

Global Village participants each make a donation to the host affiliate in addition to covering their own travel, living and sightseeing costs.

Many participants cover all of their costs themselves, others, such as and students, engage in fund-raising campaigns. As participants contact family, friends, colleges, churches, civic clubs and others, they raise awareness about Habitat’s work as well as funds for their trip.

Different levels of accommodation, offering different levels of comfort at different prices,
are normally available.

Who Is Involved?

Team members raise funds to contribute towards building houses in the community they visit and inspire others to action by sharing their experiences.
Team leaders volunteer to plan all aspects of the work and travel adventure and lead
the team during the trip.
Homeowner families and host affiliates welcome team members into their communities and onto their work sites. Affiliate staff serve as hosts and cultural guides for the team.
A Habitat Global Village Co-ordinator serves from the national office serve as liaisons between Global Village teams and host affiliates.

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 only accept 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 info@hfhap.org