My Tho, Tien Giang, Vietnam

May 27 – June 9, 2012

Join us in Vietnam to build new homes, make new friends and enjoy a unique opportunity to explore one of Asia’s most beautiful countries.

Building with Habitat for Humanity in My Tho, along the legendary Mekong River in Tien Gang Province, will be an experience you won’t forget. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Tho

At work and at rest we’re not just building homes, but are also building a sense of solidarity and community, while sharing an adventure in something meaningful and worthwhile. You’ll get your hands dirty, for sure, and you’ll need a sense of humor, a dose of flexibility and an open mind to get the job done. That’s the very small price you’ll pay for all the good you will do.

About Vietnam

Vietnam (“Viet Nam” in Vietnamese), officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia, bordering China, Laos and Cambodia. It is a country of divine contrasts. The scene changes from the bustling and chaotic streets of Hanoi in the north, down 3,450 kilometers of coastline to the tranquil rice paddies and tropical islands in the south.

The country has experienced significant economic growth in the past two decades as the country shifted to a market style economy. A driving force for the future is Vietnam’s strongly motivated and educated population – the country boasts a 90 percent literacy rate. But while Vietnam has the second-fastest growing economy in Asia, it is still one of the poorest countries in the region. A 2004 census estimated 19.5 percent of Vietnamese lived below the national poverty line. Substandard housing in Vietnam ranges from overcrowded urban units to shacks constructed from scraps or natural materials that need frequent replacing.

Tien Giang province is located north of the Mekong Delta, adjacent to the Tien River. It is bordered on the north by Long An; on the south by Vinh Long and Ben Tre; on the east by Ho Chi Minh; and on the west by Dong Thap. Tien Giang’s po pulation is estimated at more than 1.6 million. My Tho is the capital city and municipality of Tien Giang,

About Habitat for Humanity Vietnam

Habitat’s work in Vietnam is undertaken through the Habitat for Humanity Vietnam national office that was established in October 2002. Currently, Habitat has projects in the southern provinces of Kien Giang, Tien Giang, Dong Nai as well as Ho Chi Minh City.

Recently Habitat started a pilot project to reduce poverty levels in the southern province of Tien Giang, where more than 1,000 families are being provided with improved sanitation and housing. This initiative, with the help of the provincial authorities, extended existing microfinance networks so families could save and access credit for home improvements.

To learn more about HFH Vietnam, visit www.habitatvietnam.org.

Types of construction for volunteers

Volunteers may work on existing home renovations and complete home construction. Volunteers may help with some, but not necessarily all, of these activities: transporting materials; filling foundations with dirt stone and sand; compacting floor; mixing mortar; laying bricks; cleaning and painting windows and doors.

(For more details about what is included in this cost, visit Global Village program cost.)

Build a better world: Take the Global Village Challenge

Habitat for Humanity International is challenging Global Village volunteers to make an even greater impact on the global issue of poverty housing. We are asking all GV teams to help us raise an additional $1.1 million in the coming year to support Habitat’s building projects worldwide. Take up the challenge! Join us in sharing our story and building a better world!

If you’re interested in joining us for a true adventure that helps deserving families live better lives, introduces you to other committed people of all ages and provides a breathtaking glimpse of Vietnam, please contact Larry at lheinzerling@gmail.com