Projects Habitat Supports in Other Countries

Habitat for Humanity International is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry, HFHI seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness in the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat invites people of all backgrounds and faiths to build houses in partnership with families in need. Habitat has built more than 150,000 homes in 100 countries, since it was founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller and his wife Linda.

Habitat for Humanity Santa Cruz sets aside 10 percent of our donations to support the building of homes around the world. This process is called "tithing" and is part of the mission of Habitat for Humanity International. Since 1998, our tithe has helped build a home in Armenia, 8 homes in Guatemala and 7 homes in Nicaragua. In our 20 year history Habitat Santa Cruz has helped build over 60 homes in countries from Guatamala to Armenia. Our latest trip to Guatemala was in July of 2005. This year our affiliate will be supporting projects in Mexico and Romania.   

Armenia:
Habitat for Humanity Armenia is based in the capital city of Yerevan and builds homes there and in surrounding regions where people live in villages and on small farms. Because many Armenian families live in deteriorating and cramped homes with limited water and heat, Habitat broadly defines substandard housing there as less than 98 square feet of living space per person. They have selected target areas in which 60-70% of the population lives in sub-standard housing according to this definition.

Guatemala:
In 2003 Habitat for Humanity Guatemala completed it's 15,000th home. Yes, fifteen thousand! Yet the need for housing remains extreme. Of a population of about 14 million, it is estimated that 80% live in poverty, 50% in extreme poverty. Typically a Habitat house constructed of concrete blocks, reinforced with rebar and having a corrugated zinc roof, replaces a makeshift structure with a dirt floor, single board walls, no electricity and no septic system.

Nicaragua:
Habitat for Humanity is relatively new to Nicaragua, having been established there in 1984. Since then the national affiliate has built 3,000 homes, which house over 18,000 people. Although, it is the largest country in Central America, Nicaragua has a population of less than five million. Civil War, as in many other Central American nations, has kept the country on the brink of financial disaster, with the population living in fear and poverty. The last decade has seen improvements in political stability, but approximately 78% of the people still live below the poverty level. 

These families are unable to purchase their own homes because mortgages are not generally available in Armenia and they cannot risk high-interest loans when the average monthly income is between $55 and $65. Families are given no-interest loans with monthly payments in keeping with their incomes.

The nations' abundance of natural stone makes it possible to build sold and aesthetically beautiful homes. The most useful stone tour - is a light-colored, porous, volcanic material which is cut into 19x28x40cm blocks used to construct double walls that are so efficient that no other insulation material is needed.

As of May 2004, Armenian Habitat has built 62 homes that house 360 people. The average cost is $10,000 USD. Your donations to Habitat for Humanity Santa Cruz help support this work! 

Although Guatemala has tropical coastlines, most of this Central American country is volcanic and mountainous. Earthquakes are common, as well as volcanic eruptions, floods and hurricanes. When these natural disasters occur efforts are focused on helping families that suffer the loss of their homes, as for example, after Hurricane Mitch. Established in 1979, HFH Guatemala has 12 affiliates active in eight states. A typical Habitat home in Guatemala cost $3300 USD. In 2003 alone, 2622 houses were completed, including the celebrated 15,000th! Your donations have helped build many homes in Guatemala. 

In Nicaragua, Habitat house are usually two-bedroom with tiled floors, concrete block walls and corrugated iron roofs. Depending on access to a sewage system, houses have a bathroom or a latrine. All Habitat homes are built to withstand hurricanes and earthquakes. After Hurricane Mitch in 2003, Habitat aided victims with a 100-house project, including a school, a health center and a land acquisition program.

A Habitat home in Nicaragua costs $4800 USD. Your donations go a long way in Central America!