September 2015 – Habitat for Humanity Vietnam

30 years of the World Habitat Day

Posted on September 28, 2015 by habitat

World Habitat Day and Habitat for Humanity

Thirty years ago, the United Nations General Assembly took an important step in promoting the idea that shelter is a crucial foundation in helping low-income families break the cycle of poverty. They declared that the first Monday in October of each year would be World Habitat Day.
On Monday, Oct. 5, 2015, the 30th anniversary of World Habitat Day, Habitat for Humanity joins with our partners around the world to rededicate ourselves to a world where everyone has a decent place to live. World Habitat Day is set aside to recognize the basic right of all humanity to adequate shelter, and to encourage grassroots action toward ending poverty housing. Habitat for Humanity International encourages all U.S. affiliates, national organizations, partners and supporters to join together as one global network communicating the message of the continuing need for affordable housing.

Since 1976, Habitat for Humanity has helped more than 5 million people worldwide with housing solutions leading to decent, affordable shelter. World Habitat Day is an opportunity to bring people together to build homes, communities and hope. Working together, we will continue to solidify Habitat for Humanity as the world’s leading voice on poverty housing.

World Habitat Day and Habitat for Humanity Vietnam

In Vietnam, Habitat for Humanity started operating as a branch office in January 2001 in Danang city in the central coastal region. As of June 2015, HFH Vietnam has enabled more than 12,823 low-income Vietnamese families to improve their living conditions through decent homes, clean water and safe sanitation and post-disaster reconstruction and repairs. In addition, HFH Vietnam has provided training in disaster preparedness, financial education, hygiene practices, and construction skills, among others, to more than 62,749 individuals.

Local authorities, Habitat Vietnam volunteers and the home-partners celebrating the World Habitat Day

It is thanks to our supporters and volunteers all around the world that we have been able to expand our services to more and more vulnerable families. Not only accompanying with us all along, they also help us raise voices to raise awareness for the need of improved housing.

“I have a chances to around the world and see many people living in extremely poor conditions but I believe everybody deserves basics in life like home, food or water and should never take them for granted, especially water. I think we should help spread the words and that’s why we need World Habitat Day”, Mrs. Anne Heyn (right) told Habitat Vietnam. She is one among volunteers of Habitat for Humanity Vietnam who joined us to build home in Long An province in September.

Join us to celebrate the “World Habitat Day”! Spread the word! Help build a world where everyone has decent place to live!

'Thank you, volunteers from Samsung and for supports from Habitat Vietnam!'

Posted on September 21, 2015 by habitat

Family of Mr. Tran Van Tu, 36, and Ms. Nguyen Thi Yen, 28 was among five families with whom Samsung Electronics Corporation (SEC) volunteers helped build houses in August 2015. The build event took place in Pho Yen district, Thai Nguyen province in Northern Vietnam on August 19 and 20. The volunteer engagement was part of the “New home – New hope” project, a joint partnership between Habitat for Humanity and Samsung Electrics Corporation which was kicked start in December 2014.

Five members of Mr. Tu’s family posing with SEC volunteers before the build

As we sat down for an open talk, Tu impressed us with a smile which seemed to always appear on his face. And so do his family. Poverty and difficulties can’t stop them from looking for a brighter future.
Tell me something about your family?
Mr. Tu: For 10 years of marriage, my wife and I now have three children. They are daughter Trieu Vi, 11 years old, son Trong Tan, 6 and daughter Bao Ngoc, 2. We work hard to ensure better lives for them.

Ms. Yen and their daughter, Bao Ngoc 2 year-old

What do you and your wife do to earn a living? And what is your total monthly income?
Mr. Tu: We grow and process green tea. Thai Nguyen is well-known for tea production. Besides, I work as a seasonal construction worker. Our total income is around 5,000,000–6,000,000 VND (US$ 228-273) per month.
We know that you are working very hard but the income just makes ends meet. Why is that?
Mr. Tu: After getting married, we took a loan with a high-rate interest to buy a slot of land for both living and cultivation. We couldn’t ask for support of our parents because they are indigent. My wife and I have strived hard. Our income is actually sufficient for saving, yet it is all spent on paying debts and growing business. I invested a big amount of money to expand the plantation previous years. That’s why we can’t afford new house. We know that the house is too run-down to live but we have no choice.
Tell me more about your old house.
Mr. Tu: The house was already built on the land we bought. It was small and deteriorated. When it rains heavily, the floor is literally as wet as the ground outside. The house has mud floor and walls and tiled roof. The front walls were reinforced with untreated woods which don’t help much. Some pieces of the woods fell out due to strong winds and injured my wife’s leg last month.
Whenever I work away from home, I’m always worried about the safety of my wife and children. When there is a torrential rain, strong wind or a storm, we sometimes hide under the bed as being scared that the house fall down.
We do know that we need a new house. Sadly, we can only start saving for it in the next 3 years as the soonest.
So now your family has a new decent home. Congratulations!
Mr. Tu: Thank you very much. I also want to send my appreciation to the donor, Samsung Electronics Corporation, their volunteers and Habitat Vietnam for helping poor families like us to have a decent home. The new home would relieve me from housing distress and allow me to focus on improving our livelihoods.

SEC volunteers building new home for Mr. Tu’s family

What’s your plan in the near future?
Mr. Tu: We will continue working hard to pay off our loan. This is the best way to say thanks to our donors. Moreover, we hope that more and more disadvantaged families will be supported to have their own decent home.
Also, I’m saving money to buy a computer for my daughter. It costs around 5,000,000 VND (US$ 200) which is a big amount for us but we will try our best. We want our children to have better lives.

Habitat Vietnam participated in Canadian International School NGO Fair 2015

Posted on September 3, 2015 by habitat

On Aug 25, Habitat Vietnam, among 15 local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) – both returning and new ones, participated in the NGO Fair 2015. The event was hosted by Canadian International School (CIS) and this is the 3rd time the event organized as well as the 3rd time Habitat Vietnam joined.

Hundreds of CIS Students were encouraged to stop at each display, get more info about who we NGOs are and what we do, and suggest ways they can support. Many among them expressed their interest in Habitat Vietnam and would like to get involved.
At CIS, there are The Global Issue Network clubs which are important parts of CIS school life. They are led by CIS students who are interested in raising awareness and funds for a serious, current global issue, like homelessness, poverty, pollution, child labour, equal rights and animal welfare. And the NGO Fair is organized every August to help with students’ decisions.

Habitat Vietnam has a partnership with The Global Issue Network clubs for several years as we would like to invite more and more students to our activities like the Youth Build. At Habitat for Humanity, we believe together we can build homes, communities and hope!

Photos: Credits to Canadian International School