The Habitat for Humanity was founded by Millard and Linda Fuller of the state of Georgia, in 1967. it is a non-governmental, nonprofit organization devoted to building "simple, decent, and affordable" housing, a self-described "Christian housing ministry." The mission statement of Habitat for Humanity is to "seek to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action." Homes are built by volunteers and are sold at no profit. The affiliate's family selection committee chooses homeowners based on their level of need, their willingness to become partners in the program, and their ability to repay the loan.
In 1984, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn, took their first Habitat work trip-the Jimmy Carter Work Project-co New York City, Their personal involvement in Habitat's ministry brought the organization national visibility and sparked interest in Habit's work across America. He had been involved in fund-raising and publicity as well as actual home building, taking part in the annual Jimmy Carter Work Project "blitz build." Today, Habitat for Humanity has built more than 400,000 house, sheltering more than 1.75 million people, in more than 5 continents, in 3,000 communities worldwide.
I was one of the participants in "The Happy Move Global Youth Volunteers" Program; which is part of the Hyundai-Kia Automobile Group's social responsibility. Through this program, university students are sent overseas during summer and winter periods to land a helping hand to people in disadvantaged areas. In late summer 2010, about 120 students visited and finished basic foundation work to build house. Before arriving at the building site, local partners and workers finished the first floor. Consequently, I was not able to experience starting from A to Z on the construction-end.
I spent my week in Fengmulang moving bricks, mixing cement, and laying bricks. I also did some orchard work as well. Piling bricks was my main job. I did gathering three or four pieces of brick, loading them to a cart, driving the cart, and dumping them near buildings. These kinds of work were done by four people. The others moved the bricks to the second floor by passing a brick next to them.
I dill many interesting things by involving in other areas. One was to cover the first floor's roof. Among the 29 houses, only one was not finished on the first floor's roof. Fortunately, I was able to spread huge amounts of concrete with local people. They were real professional workers. During break time, we could communicate with each other in spite of language barriers. I was impressed by their way of living, working hard, but enjoying life.
I was also involved in working with village people's orchard work. When I was there, it was tangerine harvest time. I reached the orchard, a mile away from construction site, by climbing small mountains. I helped people pick tangerines and carry them downhill. Moving the heavy basket with yellow tangerine to the downhill was the hardest work I did there. Nevertheless, I was really happy because, I farmers appreciated me. Through these experiences, I learned that happiness comes from sharing and understanding. I felt much happier local partners when I saw their smiling faces.
Advice from Kwon Hye-young, a Coordinator Of HFH Korea
I got the chance to interview Mrs. Kwon at the HFH Korea headquarters. I asked her to give some advice to university students. Her massage was this : "Spend some time in self-development everyday. Of course, doing many activities and participating in other work can be a valuable asset in your life, but don't do that too much. Concentrate on what you are interested in and extend your concerns to other related things."
By Moon Hyeon-sik CP Reporter
moon0211@cnul.ac.kr