Pikes Peak Habitat Faith in Action Monthly Interfaith e-News
October 2023
Program Spotlight: 25th Anniversary Global Village Trip to Habitat Paraguay
Did you know you can put your faith and beliefs into action not only to help those in need of affordable, permanent housing in our local community, but also for our neighbors around the globe through Global Village trips? Global Village is a Habitat for Humanity International initiative that brings people to another country to help build affordable homes, work alongside people from other cultures, and learn about housing needs from a specific community's perspective. These short-term service projects give attendees the chance to experience another culture and live like a local while helping communities that need safe, affordable housing. The Global Village program offers an opportunity to understand our differences and discover our commonalities when it comes to housing-related matters. Though the international program has been paused since the global pandemic, Habitat for Humanity International is working toward worldwide resumption in 2024.
As a part of the initial steps toward resuming the international program, Chloe Henry, Pikes Peak Habitat's Faith in Action program manager, recently participated in a Global Village trip to Paraguay. She and other participants helped finish a home for Norma's family and attended the dedication where the whole community celebrated with the new homeowners! Some of the activities international volunteers participated in during the week included:
Finishing Norma's House for the Home Dedication Ceremony
During the week international volunteers were hard at work on the construction site to prepare for the dedication ceremony for Norma's house. Some of the jobs on the construction site included interior and exterior painting, landscaping, grouting, making concrete, and building a water filtration system.
Norma, who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer, will live in the home with her two daughters and grandchildren. For the 25th anniversary, Habitat Paraguay had full funding to build one home. Neighbors in a community where Habitat is active were tasked with choosing which family would receive the home. They unanimously chose Norma, who already owned the land but was living with her family in substandard housing.
Participating in Cultural Activities for the 25th Anniversary
Throughout the week, international volunteers participated in a variety of cultural events to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Habitat Paraguay.
For example, following the home dedication ceremony, international volunteers participated in a community fair hosted by local community members. The fair included various games, traditional dances, a piñata, and food made by neighbors. International volunteers also attended a special concert which was headlined by a famous local indigenous band named Purahei Soul. One of the group's most recent songs, "Pajarito," describes a bird's perspective on the plight faced by Paraguayan community members whose houses flood every year.
Visiting the Neighborhoods Habitat Paraguay is Partnering With
Over the course of their affiliate's history, Habitat Paraguay has been hard at work to provide long-term, sustainable housing solutions to families. By their 10th anniversary, the affiliate had completed more than 100 homes. By the time they reached their 20th anniversary, more than 1,000 homes had been completed.
During the trip international volunteers got the opportunity to visit various neighborhoods where Habitat Paraguay is currently working. Not only were these visits a testament to the affiliate's creativity to address diverse community needs, but they were also led by local community members who live in the neighborhoods.
Participating in this Global Village trip helped equip Henry to lead a Global Village trip to one of Pikes Peak Habitat's tithe partner countries in 2024, and we hope that next year, you or members of your church will consider joining us!
If you are interested in receiving additional information about our first Global Village trip, please fill out our Global Village Interest Form. Pikes Peak Habitat is also accepting applications from supporters interested in joining our Global Village Subcommittee (PDF), which will be tasked with helping to develop, support, and guide Pikes Peak Habitat as we launch our affiliate’s Global Village Trips.
Ways to Put Faith into Action This October
Sign Up for Last Available IBU Volunteer Day Slots
The construction site volunteer schedule for our 3rd Interfaith Build for Unity is almost full! The following dates are still available:
- Friday, Oct. 27, 2023 (availability for two faith communities)
- Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024 (availability for two faith communities)
If you are interested in reserving spots for one of these days, reach out via email to Chloe@pikespeakhabitat.org.
Learn More About Religious Holidays in September and October
Are you interested in learning more about some of the religious holidays occurring this fall for different faith communities? If so, check out the recently published article, "What Religious Holidays are Happening in September and October?" written by Interfaith America. The article discusses two Jewish Holidays, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur; numerous Hindu holidays; and Birth of the Báb, a Bahá’í, holiday.