tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40994523657928788552024-03-05T11:10:51.021-08:00Mozambique 2009Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099452365792878855.post-63946676404158518402009-01-31T01:04:00.000-08:002009-02-08T21:45:34.180-08:00Tentative Itinerary<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>TEAM ONE (Team Two dates at bottom)</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Sept 5, Sat</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Participants depart US</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Some participants may arrive in Maputo, Mozambique all in one day; others may overnight depending on their itinerary. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><br /><strong>Sept 6, Sun</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Participants arrive in Maputo, Mozambique no later than 5pm</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Rest</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Welcome and Orientation by Habitat National Office staff </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Overnight in Maputo at United Methodist Church Guest House</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Sept 7, Mon</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Bus travel to community of Massaca</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Settle in to Spanish Mission houses </span><br />Orientation to community<br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Sept 8, Tues</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Van travel to work site</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Safety briefing </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Begin work!! </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Sept 9 - Sept 12, Wed-Sat</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Work on houses </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Local community tours as planned by host (orphanage, school, medical clinic)</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Sept 13, Sun</strong> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Church service in community </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Rest</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Sept 14 -15, Mon-Tues</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Work on houses </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Sept 16, Wed</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Work on houses in morning </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Farewell to community </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Sept 17, Thur</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Bus travel back to Maputo </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Farewell lunch with Habitat National Staff</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Depart from Maputo airport for Johannesburg, South Africa</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Overnight at private guesthouse</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Sept 18, Fri</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Tour of Soweto Township, homes of Desmund Tutu and Nelson Mandela, Apartheid Museum</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Personal shopping</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Debriefing and Evaluation Session</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Overnight at same guesthouse</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Sept 19, Sat</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Lion Park and/or Cultural Village</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Personal shopping</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Return to Johannesburg for departures, no sooner than 8pm</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Sept 20-23, Sun-Wed</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Option R&R - Safari in Kruger National Park (see separate blog listing for information)</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Note: While in the village, we will begin each day with breakfast at 6:30 am near the guesthouse, and then travel to the worksite. Building starts at about 7:30 am, stopping for lunch which is provided on-site. The work day will end at about 4:00 pm with travel back to our lodging. There is time for showers and relaxation before dinner between 6 and 7 pm. Evenings are for team meetings, social activities with other volunteers, time for reading, or simply relaxing. Cultural activities may be planned by the host, which we won't know until our arrival. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>TEAM TWO (Team One dates above)</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><strong>Sept 26, Sat</strong><br />Participants depart US<br />Some participants may arrive in Maputo, Mozambique all in one day; others may overnight enroute, depending on their itinerary. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><strong>Sept 27, Sun<br /></strong>Participants arrive in Maputo, Mozambique no later than 5pm<br />Rest<br />Welcome and Orientation by Habitat National Office staff<br />Overnight in Maputo at United Methodist Church Guest House<br /><br /><strong>Sept 28, Mon<br /></strong>Bus travel to community of Massaca<br />Settle in to 3 Spanish Mission houses (2-6 participants/room)<br />Orientation to community<br /><br /><strong>Sept 29, Tues<br /></strong>Van travel to work site<br />Safety briefing<br />Begin work!!<br /><br /><strong>Sept 30 - Oct 3, Wed-Sat<br /></strong>Work on houses<br />Local community tours as planned by host (orphanage, school, medical clinic)<br /><br /><strong>Oct 4, Sun</strong><br />Church service in community<br />Rest<br /><br /><strong>Oct 5 - 6, Mon-Tues<br /></strong>Work on houses<br /><br /><strong>Oct 7, Wed<br /></strong>Work on houses in morning<br />Farewell to community<br /><br /><strong>Oct 8, Thur</strong><br />Bus travel back to Maputo<br />Farewell lunch with Habitat National Staff<br />Depart from Maputo airport for Johannesburg, South Africa<br />Overnight at private guesthouse<br /><br /><strong>Oct 9, Fri</strong><br />Tour of Soweto Township, homes of Desmund Tutu and Nelson Mandela, Apartheid Museum<br />Personal shopping </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Debriefing and Evaluation Session </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Overnight at same guesthouse </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Oct 10, Sat</strong> <strong></span></strong><br /><strong></strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Lion Park and/or Cultural Village </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Personal shopping<br />Return to Johannesburg for departures, no sooner than 8pm<br /><br /><strong>Oct 11 - 14, Sun-Wed<br /></strong>Option R&R - Safari in Kruger National Park (see separate blog listing for information)<br /><br />Note: While in the village, we will begin each day with breakfast at 6:30 am near the guesthouse, and then travel to the worksite. Building starts at about 7:30 am, stopping for lunch which is provided on-site. The work day will end at about 4:00 pm with travel back to our lodging. There is time for showers and relaxation before dinner between 6 and 7 pm. Evenings are for team meetings, social activities with other volunteers, time for reading, or simply relaxing. Cultural activities may be planned by the host, which we won't know until our arrival.<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099452365792878855.post-54373955328371032742009-01-31T00:41:00.002-08:002009-06-24T22:24:07.190-07:00Costs and Airfare Information<p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><u>Expenses are $1940. This includes</u></strong>:</span></p><ul><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><li>$500 donation to Habitat and the Mozambique building program - *MINIMUM</li><li>All expenses while in Mozambique, including:</li></ul><p>all meals in Maputo and Massaca</p><p>all accommodations in Maputo and Massaca</p><p>transport to/from Maputo airport</p><p>ground transportation to/from Maputo to the host community of Massaca</p><p>ground transportation to/from the work site</p><p>social activities</p><ul><li>All expenses while in Johannesburg, South Africa including:</li></ul><p>transport to/from airport</p><p>all ground transportation for cultural activities</p><p>guesthouse accommodations </p><p>all meals</p><p>cultural activities, entrance fees in Johannesburg</p><ul><li>Mandatory medical travel insurance</li><li>Mandatory trip cancellation insurance</li><li>Orientation materials</li></ul><p><br />It does not include: </p><ul><li>airfare to/from Maputo with enroute stopover on return in Johannesburg, South Africa </li><li>enroute travel expenses before arriving in Maputo or after leaving Joberg airport</li><li>expenses associated with international travel such as visa, passport, and immunizations</li><li>optional R&R activities (Safari in Kruger National Park)</li></ul><p><br />Funds must be received by July 24 for Team One and by August 14 for Team Two</p><p>*MINIMUM $500 donation explanation - all you HAVE to raise is the expenses listed. We encourage people on our teams to challenge themselves (it's not a competition between team members) to go beyond that minimum donation. 100% of that additional money will go to Mozambique for their house-building program. The more raised, the more houses built, simple as that. And for every person or group you contact for a donation is that many more people that are then aware of the poverty housing issues in Mozambique, and as important, the desperate plight of the orphans and vulnerable children. </p><p>So, as you consider your fundraising strategy, put the listed cost of $1940 as the MINIMUM that you want to raise. Even if you could pay for this trip right out of your pocket, we would still encourage you to fundraise because that is the number one tool for raising awareness as well. When you tell the story, explain the need, you are letting others know about the challenges of poverty housing in Mozambique. And when you do that, donations usually follow. It doesn't need to be an extravagant fundraising strategy. It could be as simple as writing an email to ten of your closest colleagues, friends, and family members, just stating what you're doing and asking them to JOIN you in eliminating poverty housing. Most people appreciate the opportunity. In the end, we hope that you can say you not only raised $xxx, but you also made xxx number of people aware in joining the challenge!!</p><p><br />Ideas on fund/awareness are posted on this blog under that that heading.</p><p><strong><u>Planning Your Air Travel</u></strong><br />Airfares vary depending on your departure city. We have found one agency that has "humanitarian travel" contracts with major airlines, and your Global Village trip qualifies. We have used this agency several times, as have many former participants, and have experienced timely and dependable service. Contact </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Eldon at Golden Rule Travel at </span><a href="mailto:wagler@goldrule.net"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">wagler@goldrule.net</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">, for a quote, or your own travel agent. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Your itinerary must have you arriving in Maputo no later than <strong>3pm</strong> on <strong>Sept 6</strong> (Team One) or <strong>Sept 27</strong> (Team Two). You are certainly welcome to arrive earlier, even the day before (you would have to pay for an extra night at the guest house), if you want to feel more rested before we get going on a very full schedule which starts with dinner at <strong>5pm that Sunday</strong>. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Your departure from Maputo to Johannesburg should be on <strong>South Africa Airways #145 departing MPM at 3:55pm and arriving JNB at 5:05pm</strong> <strong>on Sept 17</strong> (team one) or For Team One or <strong>Oct 8</strong> (team two). </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Your final departure from Joberg airport should be <strong>no earlier than</strong> <strong>8pm </strong>on <strong>Sept 19</strong> (team one) or <strong>Oct 10</strong> (team two), unless you are going on the optional safari in Kruger Park. If so, book your flight for <strong>no earlier than 6pm on Sept 23 or Oct 14</strong> (<u>note: this time is earlier than the 8pm time originally posted)</u></span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">No team member can arrive later or depart earlier than the posted itinerary. Your team leader can give you more information.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Make sure that you book flight under the <strong>SAME NAME with the SAME SPELLING</strong> as that in your passport - no shortened names or nicknames. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In order to apply for a Mozambique visa, you must have a confirmed flight itinerary. Therefore it is important for flights to be investigated soon after your acceptance on the team.</span></p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099452365792878855.post-1159083809206661322009-01-31T00:41:00.001-08:002009-02-10T22:06:22.229-08:00Housing Needs & Habitat for Humanity Mozambique<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>The Housing Need</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong></strong><br />Mozambique has suffered a series of setbacks in its struggle to develop during 32 years of independence. After a 10 year liberation struggle starting in 1964, the country was embroiled in a 13-year guerilla war that took the lives of 1 million people and left 5 million displaced.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhgiNqCN2DR2ojacpkWlDT3Vfo0lKbq5cHStAiusfYr3c0YFYWfNFeEuXr-U3_bq6FyXFeYFpJGE3ssvFm8EYVa2Ml_7JiwJ1AT_jo8kECdHv1hglh-IgAtKKcy8W5KY9E8Ky9F3pJbA/s1600-h/IMG_0360-full.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298010960638169538" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhgiNqCN2DR2ojacpkWlDT3Vfo0lKbq5cHStAiusfYr3c0YFYWfNFeEuXr-U3_bq6FyXFeYFpJGE3ssvFm8EYVa2Ml_7JiwJ1AT_jo8kECdHv1hglh-IgAtKKcy8W5KY9E8Ky9F3pJbA/s320/IMG_0360-full.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Only with the rise of the ANC and the end of apartheid in South Africa, was Mozambique able to broker peace and disarm the guerrillas in 1992.<br /></span><a style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0pt; CLEAR: right; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0pt; FLOAT: right; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 1em; MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0pt" href="http://www.hfhmozambique.org-a.googlepages.com/IMG_0360.JPG/IMG_0360-full.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">During its 15 years of</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPKO_dcqJdEPBOc0jfV7RmpT5s77PeVAA-evgV-NyMLa4Rfh430J8byRUOqFX7axPrILxnYVZyrH3FQtFJDZlBVPLss2tI-B7iTxsg5NYjtzwC89qeqgmsggp76FHs8B5JzOKUJEOsN1P/s1600-h/IMG_0360-full.jpg"></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> peace, Mozambique has had one of the fastest growing economies in the region, yet the country has a steep hill to climb. To make matters worse, in 2000, the country was devastated by the largest flood ever recorded in Africa which left in its wake half a million people homeless. Since the war, HIV/AIDS has been sweeping through the country, with an estimated 17% of the population infected in the country and as much as 30% or more in certain cities along transport lines. As a result of these deaths, children are left orphaned, often without adequate shelter and sometimes homeless.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><strong>Habitat for Humanity Mozambique (HFHMz)</strong><br />Formed in 2000, Habitat for Humanity Mozambique (HFHMz) has worked with communities, local volunteers, partners and international teams to build hundreds of houses in Maputo Province and up country in the provinces of Manica and Gaza.</span><a style="BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0pt; CLEAR: right; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0pt; FLOAT: right; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 1em; MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0pt" href="http://www.hfhmozambique.org-a.googlepages.com/AudreyPhelpswithgirlscropped.JPG/AudreyPhelpswithgirlscropped-full.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> HFHMz’s original houses were made of cement blocks, but the program changed its technique in the last few years to adopt local materials and methods in order to lower costs, increase efficiency and community involvement, and begin reaching the very poorest families in each community as rapidly as possible. It is anticipated that over 10,000 orphaned and vulnerable children will be housed under this new program in the next three years!!!!! Read more at the next posting under "Orphans and Vulnerable Children Program (OVC)" and start anticipating how you will be a part of this amazing program!!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099452365792878855.post-72521635947655562542009-01-31T00:40:00.000-08:002009-02-10T22:28:03.209-08:00The Orphans & Vulnerable Children's (OVC) Program<div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;"><strong>Holistic Housing Solutions </strong></span><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;"><strong>for Orphans and Vulnerable Children</strong></span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><strong>PROJECT SUMMARY</strong></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8dzYNZfCZVZLvbcyqcq2cvlZ8c_3MIrIf02tDQmDK3RQ8E2WQHa89JCl00AkWDoAJ9lx-mx8oT0aybcCD11GOHviHpHUHmMwQSOBsZXlwf8HVcApxwByuXwwJ4QFbyUApoMskOa8_Ck/s1600-h/clip_image001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300690673253075522" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 264px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8dzYNZfCZVZLvbcyqcq2cvlZ8c_3MIrIf02tDQmDK3RQ8E2WQHa89JCl00AkWDoAJ9lx-mx8oT0aybcCD11GOHviHpHUHmMwQSOBsZXlwf8HVcApxwByuXwwJ4QFbyUApoMskOa8_Ck/s400/clip_image001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>1.5 million Orphans, 500,000 due to HIV/AIDS</strong><br /></div><p><br />Unable to ignore this urgent need, HFH Mozambique has developed a program that provides shelter for the poorest of the poor – orphaned and vulnerable children and their caretakers. But merely putting a roof over their heads does not address the multi-dimensional needs vulnerable children have for legal protection, clean water, proper sanitation, food, safety, education and social supports. By partnering with other organisational partners, HFH Mozambique is able to provide more comprehensive support for these families.<br /><br />The proposed 3-year project will provide safe, healthy and legally protected shelter for 3,600 families – 10,800 orphans and vulnerable children – in 10-15 rural communities in Maputo (South), Manica (Central), Nampula (North) Provinces in the North, Central and Southern region. Each house includes a ventilated pit latrine for improved sanitation; cement floors help keep out pests and moisture; mosquito nets to protect from malaria; and a supply of Certeza water treatment liquid to ensure access to clean drinking water.<br /><br /><br />The use of local materials and reliance on local workers helps ensure that economic resources remain within the community. Partner organisations will help protect the inheritance rights of an additional 3,000 children and will provide health education workshops to increase knowledge about HIV/AIDs prevention, care and treatment; malaria prevention; and foster changes in behaviours that can have a positive impact on family health. </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300691772834771650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 273px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7968XSt6Kw7HU1LAgVAVs6CQSNnp4szjJSj2iIJx4YqwYDjtICA2B_Td7FIXwoOxY90Lq8sPr6R5c6ytzbbY8ijFJsBQ8L2hUBY8YpgYxmd3turUl06S0Vgn4cJYLFGtkghZiNo9aMrs/s400/clip_image002" border="0" />In order to achieve this exponential growth, HFH Mozambique will strengthen its own organizational capacity through the opening of two new regional offices and the development of a data tracking system that will help measure the impacts of project on the health, education and income of families. The total projected budget is USD 6,560,447. </p><br /><p>(picture: children in front of a new home)<br /></p><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">HABITAT FOR HUMANITY MOZAMBIQUE</span></strong><br /></div><div align="left"><br />Habitat for Humanity Mozambique (HFH Mozambique) has built over 300 houses for poor families since its founding in 2000. HFH Mozambique’s traditional model of providing affordable home loans for poor families meant that there was a growing subset of poor families not being reached. Their resources had been so exhausted that even paying USD2-4 per month was beyond their means. In 2004, HFH Mozambique began focusing specifically on those vulnerable groups. With funds from private donors and USAID matching funds through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, HFH Mozambique centred its efforts on the housing related needs of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) specifically. Currently, all of the houses built in Mozambique are fully subsidised (i.e. free housing) and are designed to reach the lowest income families caring for orphans impacted by HIV/AIDS and/or other illnesses.<br /><br />The OVC Program exp<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rJwskt8LP5U4qvQvD9giO7C19ez5dhl0pbgFQcg50zhNIK7qtnTqND8nY76PifBmTZTruBDcpNpcWP9FrgbiCDQ_Z1l4zJpKU1ymqc0K18ALHwqT4SsbFyl98j_5gCNBAO8gHX5IJLI/s1600-h/IMG_4037.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301419044993409874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 265px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rJwskt8LP5U4qvQvD9giO7C19ez5dhl0pbgFQcg50zhNIK7qtnTqND8nY76PifBmTZTruBDcpNpcWP9FrgbiCDQ_Z1l4zJpKU1ymqc0K18ALHwqT4SsbFyl98j_5gCNBAO8gHX5IJLI/s400/IMG_4037.JPG" border="0" /></a>ansion is a key component of HFH Mozambique’s three-year (FY09-11) strategic plan. This growth includes strengthening community capacity to serve exponentially more vulnerable families in subsequent years. Active projects are underway in the Southern and Central regions and, in FY09, HFH Mozambique will develop its first initiatives in the Northern region from an office in Nampula. Partnerships with community-based organisations, other NGOs and government agencies are critical to provide more holistic support. As the project grows, more partnerships will be formed.<br /><br />In addition to the OVC program, HFH Mozambique also plans to develop programs in Housing Microfinance, Land and Asset Security and Advocacy as well as providing technical assistance for community resettlements and shelter interventions that mitigate loss in flood and cyclone prone areas.<br /><br /><br /></div><div align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">THE NEED</span></strong><br /><br />Mozambique is one of the world’s poorest countries, ranking 172 / 177 on the United Nation’s Development Report. Over 70% of the population lives below the poverty line, with 38% surviving on less than USD1/day.<br /><br />An estimated 1.7 million Mozambicans are living with HIV/AIDS and the prevalence rate is currently 16% among 15-49 year olds, according to the Ministry of Health. Every single day there are about 500 new HIV/AIDS infections. Youths aged 15-24 are the most heavily affected and account for 60% of new HIV infections.<br /><br /><a name="OLE_LINK2"></a><a name="OLE_LINK1">UNICEF estimates at least 500,000 of the 1.5 million orphans in </a>Mozambique have lost their parents to AIDS and at least 100,000 children under the age of 15 are living with HIV/AIDS. By the year 2010, it is expected that nearly half of the 1 million maternal orphans in Mozambique will be orphaned due to HIV and AIDS.<br /><br />The impact of this epidemic is profound. </div><p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5O1PxpNlUJVnyXE2oEn8NI4Rm4DQCDNIyumLz2K-N0FIqxHXDahvSdc4Yo57S-vWSPFtpBk8op3C6Vgh_IjpykB3qCw-3Gp5AxdaQMsxVCpTigOS1k7ZsZX5z-YaD0yTrZn5QUjv6XU/s1600-h/Chris+No.+3+MOZ+117.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301418412273172882" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 274px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5O1PxpNlUJVnyXE2oEn8NI4Rm4DQCDNIyumLz2K-N0FIqxHXDahvSdc4Yo57S-vWSPFtpBk8op3C6Vgh_IjpykB3qCw-3Gp5AxdaQMsxVCpTigOS1k7ZsZX5z-YaD0yTrZn5QUjv6XU/s400/Chris+No.+3+MOZ+117.JPG" border="0" /></a>Orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) are more likely to live in poor households headed by women, elderly people and/or by an uneducated person. Some households are even headed by a child, or the children have to act as the main provider due to the illness or disability of the adult family members.<br /><br />They have very limited means of generating income and thus often have to resort to risky coping strategies, such as early marriage, transactional sex and hazardous child labour. They also have limited access to basic services such as health, education, food, legal, financial and psychosocial services. In addition to these challenges, children orphaned as a result of AIDS are often living with social stigma and discrimination and potentially face exclusion from their communities. OVC are also prone to discrimination in the allocation of resources because they are not direct biological descendants of the household head. Inheritance claims by relatives often lead to dispossession of property in child headed households.<br /><br />The average monthly income of an elderly caretaker in rural Mozambique is USD12. The estimated monthly cost of looking after an orphan is about USD21, while caring for someone living with AIDS costs USD30. Unable to meet their most basic needs for food, other critical necessities like shelter are unattainable. Renting is prohibitively expensive and the labour-intensive repair of existing structures can be an extreme hardship for sick or elderly caretakers. As a result, many OVC families live in unsanitary, temporary housing conditions with mud floors and leaking roofs. These conditions are conducive to the spread of disease and pose an acute problem for children and those with HIV-weakened immune systems.<br /><br />Less than 20% of Mozambique’s rural population has access to adequate sanitation facilities. Some share a common facility bu<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMkzpyX7NOefkIJ_3Fu6_yIm406u3qUXLFOE3OJUJ3LMY_NoDBh-cL0bDtb0APcTtZCmEOuMtbJO4OkljXJHOvM-tD5eMmVSfQWULyT_DTIEa6B_HeNzQBw-Lzi15yGiy0I7P6If6KB0/s1600-h/Chris+No.+3+MOZ+030.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301418665249713586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMkzpyX7NOefkIJ_3Fu6_yIm406u3qUXLFOE3OJUJ3LMY_NoDBh-cL0bDtb0APcTtZCmEOuMtbJO4OkljXJHOvM-tD5eMmVSfQWULyT_DTIEa6B_HeNzQBw-Lzi15yGiy0I7P6If6KB0/s400/Chris+No.+3+MOZ+030.JPG" border="0" /></a>t most families simply relieve themselves outdoors. Only 36% of the population has access to safe drinking water. Lack of proper sanitation and hygienic practices increases the risk of diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea. According to the WHO, “no single type of intervention has greater overall impact upon national development and public health than does the provision of safe drinking water and proper disposal of human excreta.” Recent studies also indicate that access to potable water can delay the emergence of opportunistic diseases among people who are living with HIV/AIDS and make treatment with anti-retrovirals more effective.<br /><br />Another major health risk is malaria. Currently, malaria accounts for 60% of children in hospitals and 30% of hospital deaths. The World Health Organisation estimates that insecticide treated mosquito nets can cut malaria transmission by 60% and child deaths by a fifth. Sadly, most families cannot afford mosquito nets.<br /></p><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">HFH MOZAMBIQUE DEVELOPMENT MODEL</span></strong><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><strong>Living a Normal Life</strong><br /><br /></div><p>HFH Mozambique strives to create a more holistic program that meets the complex and interrelated needs of vulnerable children and their families. While project design methods and some components are being standardized, housing models, training courses and community development activities differ and mould to the needs of each community. The project design model requires a few weeks of participatory research in each community in order to set up a program that will function at a local economic level. Project components include:<br />§ Healthy housing and latrines for families<br />§ Family health education on HIV/AIDS, malaria and other related health issues<br />§ Inheritance planning and writing of wills to ensure the house remains an asset for the children<br />§ Provision of mosquito nets and water treatment kits<br />§ Partnerships with local community organizations that identify and care for vulnerable families through food, training and basic social support.<br /><br />Targeted families are considered the “poorest of the poor” from a local community perspective. Families are identified by the government and local community organizations as families in most need. Usually parents are (or were) people living with HIV and must use whatever income they have on transport to hospitals and food for children at the expense of other basic necessities such as shelter. Beneficiaries will include:<br />§ 10,800 orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and their caretakers will benef<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Mb1aK1zjfB63iBviN9mJYkysERqpiOWBBoKYNFEDUD1proXtCtKa0vStaYUZNfqT_R2tCrU6QI3bMFQZnYYXBiLsTSl8o1FGXEFbvVSoc8NhEVKuD2i3u4DKgMQGfMWIt7hqn_mKV28/s1600-h/Chris+No.+3+MOZ+190.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301419453975742130" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 265px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Mb1aK1zjfB63iBviN9mJYkysERqpiOWBBoKYNFEDUD1proXtCtKa0vStaYUZNfqT_R2tCrU6QI3bMFQZnYYXBiLsTSl8o1FGXEFbvVSoc8NhEVKuD2i3u4DKgMQGfMWIt7hqn_mKV28/s400/Chris+No.+3+MOZ+190.JPG" border="0" /></a>it from safe, healthy housing.<br />§ 19,800 children will be protected from asset grabbing by legal inheritance plans. The inheritance rights of 10,800 OVC will be protected directly by HFH Mozambique trainings and assistance and an additional 9,000 OVC protected by partners running inheritance workshops and initiatives after being trained by HFH Mozambique.<br />§ 3,600 families caring for 10,800 OVC will benefit from clean water treated by Certeza tablets, treated mosquito nets, improved sanitation with VIP latrines; training in home maintenance and HIV/AIDS<br />§ An estimated 10 trainers from five different CBOs or NGOs will be trained as trainers on the inheritance curriculum.<br />§ HFH Mozambique funds provide work and financing for 30-50 people in each community all located within 2-5 km of the family homes (likely 300-500 contracted workers by end of project based on an average of 5-10 homes constructed per week in each community).<br /><br />Ultimately, the intention of the program is to keep OVC within their communities by strengthening the resources and ability of caretakers and others in the community. HFH Mozambique does not believe that institutional orphanages are a solution, unless there are no other alternatives. Taking a child away from the extended family structure of neighbours, grandparents and relatives in the community is more likely to cause trauma and pain. With their own home, the children will have a base from which to succeed and a network of neighbours to help them. And by involving community based partners at every stage of selection, design and implementation, community ownership and solidarity are reinforced.<br /><br />Home designs provide enhancements like cement foundations to traditional reed and thatch structures to increase durability while allowing families to remain in homes that do not separate them from the community in aesthetic or financial appearance. Giving widows and children an asset worth hundreds or thousands of dollars can actually increase their vulnerability. If the community perceives that the child is better off than the surrounding families it will be less likely to offer the ongoing daily support so desperately need.<br /></p><p align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">CORPORATE SYNERGIES</span></strong><br /><br /></p><p align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Rural Housing & Development</span></strong><br /><br /></p><p align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Water & Sanitation</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Gender Equality & Women's Rights</span></strong></p><p align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">HIV/AIDS - Orphans and Vulnerable Children</span></strong><br /></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Research & Capacity Building</strong></span><br /><br /></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Communication Development & Transformation</strong></span><br /></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Volunteer Mobilisation</strong></span><br /><br /><strong>Vulnerable Groups: Orphans and Vulnerable Children and Caregivers</strong><br />Families must meet the Mozambican government’s basic criteria for OVC:<br />· Orphans are children who have lost one or more parent<br />· Vulnerable children are children with sick parents, abandoned children, and/or children living in economic hardship situations (lack of food, etc.).<br /><br /><strong>Health: Insecticide treated mosquito nets</strong><br />HFH Mozambique aims to prevent malaria by ensuring that every household member sleeps under an Insecticide Treated Net. Nets are provided free of charge because otherwise the targeted beneficiaries would not be able to afford them. HFH Mozambique has partnered with Population Services International (PSI) since 2006 to train local and national staff to lead workshops on the importance of and proper usage and mounting of treated mosquito nets.<br /><br /><strong>Water: Certeza Water Treatments kits<br /></strong>HFH Mozambique’s project partner PSI will also train staff on Certeza, a water treatment liquid that can be incorporated into common household practices to make water appropriate for drinking and cleaning vegetables.<br /><br />HFH Mozambique plans to cover the costs of a year supply of Certeza for each beneficiary family. If the families appreciate the benefits of Certeza in providing clean drinking water, the hope is that that family will continue to pay for it after the subsidy ends. The cost for a month’s supply of Certeza is 8 MT (USD 0.33). HFH Mozambique will institute a quarterly family monitoring form to track product use and family health indicators over the course of the three-year project.<br /><br /><strong>Education: Women and Inheritance Planning<br /></strong>Families (mostly single mothers and grandmothers) learn about property and land rights and discuss the necessity of protecting their assets from relatives and neighbours. The training includes a day of discussion and learning about the laws and rights of Mozambicans and their children, traditional practices and their impacts, and discussions of peoples’ feelings about all the subjects. In every training group conducted to date, at least one woman has already been removed from her previous home, which creates lively discussion.<br /><br />HFH Mozambique facilitates the process of writing a legal will by bringing a jurist/magistrate to the community to talk to each family and fill out the forms necessary for families to certify their succession wishes in a formal government document. These official documents and the local leaders' participation, along with large groups of women with knowledge of their legal rights, will help protect the children from property grabbing. </p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099452365792878855.post-48672747280545046872009-01-31T00:39:00.000-08:002009-03-08T11:52:02.621-07:00Going on Safari - An Optional R&R Event<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4D1Az5QxmRpjrUJ33KYF5Y66tApPhskc91NGeFakyfF-qQxZshxPq37hBEhKfoxMutEmp43Nk2EAmxasIKDQE4dORlLbS4u7vcBDVxhmj4uicb4w1zAyMLWJcx1D4L0kLAtQ2IrkWUI/s1600-h/IMG_3810.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301426887284943730" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 405px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4D1Az5QxmRpjrUJ33KYF5Y66tApPhskc91NGeFakyfF-qQxZshxPq37hBEhKfoxMutEmp43Nk2EAmxasIKDQE4dORlLbS4u7vcBDVxhmj4uicb4w1zAyMLWJcx1D4L0kLAtQ2IrkWUI/s400/IMG_3810.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This portion of the website will need to be updated as soon as we receive more information. Basically, however, we are offering an optional R&R after the final team dates (September 19 and October 10) - an amazing opportunity to go on Safari in famous Kruger National Park!! the pictures you see here are ones we took last year.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZJlKder1XwAfhPHj9oksHt1ZyrK6W-FuwCRr_p6oL8fvbmrIupPOlmsWXZQJV0b1o4Q7-sRg2-OJ5Dh0NcP8HPq_yytF7p4_qc8i8hj5B0SbR3u8uZyUL1UVpoXxmsbKZiVDBnGUOzM/s1600-h/IMG_3422.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301428645649245058" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 498px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZJlKder1XwAfhPHj9oksHt1ZyrK6W-FuwCRr_p6oL8fvbmrIupPOlmsWXZQJV0b1o4Q7-sRg2-OJ5Dh0NcP8HPq_yytF7p4_qc8i8hj5B0SbR3u8uZyUL1UVpoXxmsbKZiVDBnGUOzM/s400/IMG_3422.JPG" border="0" /></a>R&R has historically been included in the team activities, but as of this year, team leaders can only offer an R&R activity as an option after the team dates are complete.<br /><br />We will depart Johannesburg, South Africa, for the Park on September 20 (team one) and October 11 (team two). We use private vans for the 5 hour journey. After we check into our accommodations, we will have the opportunity for a few hours of animal sightings or to just relax and enjoy our surroundings. The next two days will be full days of venturing into the park in our private safari vehicles with our own experienced guides. We return to Joburg <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjP1WeYepumgGYP-UGWtGH0gc-LAMOW_C2Q48YjYV_WKRr1rZ4QlWaPb_7caGgCDWjM-vAaPhiZciXojuSiWCzsfDZU5bTZWI5fewYD8hwbwsh_xO6OKsa-ONBOAwY-UDmoizzQlg36Y/s1600-h/Chris+No.+1+Africa+404.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301426888273208754" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 336px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 256px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjP1WeYepumgGYP-UGWtGH0gc-LAMOW_C2Q48YjYV_WKRr1rZ4QlWaPb_7caGgCDWjM-vAaPhiZciXojuSiWCzsfDZU5bTZWI5fewYD8hwbwsh_xO6OKsa-ONBOAwY-UDmoizzQlg36Y/s400/Chris+No.+1+Africa+404.JPG" border="0" /></a>on Sept 23 (team one) and October 14 (team two) for your departure that evening. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44hiZsnQ8lYtQzgaRFAnbF4GCTArseMPvL-oCVxLY-LjC9uICwYGbWZZl8QxZbPCU7nPdtoNq1k-T-SUZfEDyyrOiaJ4NQ-0fsITshUzhE5oU0aBlSMAnGpz-f11_62N2tObdxoD-C5A/s1600-h/IMG_2994.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301428629461098578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 311px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh44hiZsnQ8lYtQzgaRFAnbF4GCTArseMPvL-oCVxLY-LjC9uICwYGbWZZl8QxZbPCU7nPdtoNq1k-T-SUZfEDyyrOiaJ4NQ-0fsITshUzhE5oU0aBlSMAnGpz-f11_62N2tObdxoD-C5A/s400/IMG_2994.JPG" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We have requested all three nights to be at the Cheetah Inn, which was the favorite accommodation for our team last year (pictured here).We have also requested the same awesome guide we had <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBI5vl7WW3EngP7yJNp44fqokH5a5Y_622F2_qN5mrNCEvM5Ap8P6RyfcCw7IpkNkj6wgqcwVrLpDPmhwwAUsA0uofD8Dlh7tL1-zhwDGKtl-UhyphenhyphentmOhGillygmIfvAxXLCGgp1xKOrHI/s1600-h/accomm3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301424237888230786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBI5vl7WW3EngP7yJNp44fqokH5a5Y_622F2_qN5mrNCEvM5Ap8P6RyfcCw7IpkNkj6wgqcwVrLpDPmhwwAUsA0uofD8Dlh7tL1-zhwDGKtl-UhyphenhyphentmOhGillygmIfvAxXLCGgp1xKOrHI/s400/accomm3.jpg" border="0" /></a>last year. The safari was a hit for everyone in 2008, and we hope all of you will join us again this year. </span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifi93crea0vdAw3foYtot9VsA6mKLOMK2YSGg93tOcXDVzzzznZBcRLZj-66SZ8oQVLrp5aOhDg7G-3J6-xUpRiaDqNEi37W0JXfIHgzt7VIq3M_m-7I-HjDUpjNvGIjmUjSpFy4aUciY/s1600-h/101_0134.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301440679473037362" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifi93crea0vdAw3foYtot9VsA6mKLOMK2YSGg93tOcXDVzzzznZBcRLZj-66SZ8oQVLrp5aOhDg7G-3J6-xUpRiaDqNEi37W0JXfIHgzt7VIq3M_m-7I-HjDUpjNvGIjmUjSpFy4aUciY/s320/101_0134.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNvDZJr9Ijdcws7YjWHsdKjAb08tEU6nc6ZK9bjRyOjL3-a6tCLPY1NpvpBMClHeMJ4urvtxpl8ZHDjKplHEebTtZUKlnuRe8ltDpwAx9nxU5glRPH4iOPKicsNEfNdnkZtZ7OrI95TM/s1600-h/IMG_2980.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301426893254963122" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 272px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 232px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNvDZJr9Ijdcws7YjWHsdKjAb08tEU6nc6ZK9bjRyOjL3-a6tCLPY1NpvpBMClHeMJ4urvtxpl8ZHDjKplHEebTtZUKlnuRe8ltDpwAx9nxU5glRPH4iOPKicsNEfNdnkZtZ7OrI95TM/s400/IMG_2980.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cost: approximately $400 (updated costs will be posted as we know it, but shouldn't change a whole lot) - this includes all transportation, guides, park fees, accommodations, breakfast and dinn<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPzWKbvS8_RDdWsCs9L_1E-PY5R7_vLSNQRHpVhT5K-GkJ08YAmxq1axDP-XK8fI3-tQjDUvS941OAxpzUOy0VfLlf0nwwtGdxGSOEDt38DPvcOEJp__2mTKLcpHh2QgHcosnSGJOcV4/s1600-h/IMG_3364.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301428638350528578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 306px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 293px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPzWKbvS8_RDdWsCs9L_1E-PY5R7_vLSNQRHpVhT5K-GkJ08YAmxq1axDP-XK8fI3-tQjDUvS941OAxpzUOy0VfLlf0nwwtGdxGSOEDt38DPvcOEJp__2mTKLcpHh2QgHcosnSGJOcV4/s400/IMG_3364.JPG" border="0" /></a>er (budget an additional $5/day, approximately, depending on what you order, for lunch in the park and about $7/day for tipping guides). Also budget $35-50 for your one night in Joburg (Sept 19 or Oct 10) before the safari begins. Right now, we are going to try to collect all the payments and send them in together, which means paying by check. A 50% deposit needs to be paid immediately upon deciding to go, with the balance due by September 1, regardless of which team you are on. These costs can NOT go through your GV accounting at Habitat. It is not a tax-deductible expense. You can still "fundraise" for this activity, but it must be clear to those who support you that their gift must go directly to you, be clear as to how it is being used (not for Habitat), and that they will not receive any receipt. It is a personal gift to you for your own personal use. </span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkv_dZVqK096ZXP2dCLdVvsynXgnBUoeCMf9ZbccAd2dDxuRUyWfvrfsRPWLBtIFDCUVmbWbUZZEsaJfEdkrC01bNEj8xLnVinul-k7yq7arYmC-biaTiZxW9qyPLTbZylzUsVESid0zI/s1600-h/IMG_3041.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301426890260363266" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 264px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkv_dZVqK096ZXP2dCLdVvsynXgnBUoeCMf9ZbccAd2dDxuRUyWfvrfsRPWLBtIFDCUVmbWbUZZEsaJfEdkrC01bNEj8xLnVinul-k7yq7arYmC-biaTiZxW9qyPLTbZylzUsVESid0zI/s400/IMG_3041.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxkh_srA3KHIdVYhWFLLkFyo7U9xzQxsLYBbSK9ZNF0BI-wy6wGSk0BWw1DkUY5gHr06gOwAdRgcpGY4Ia1obgAcEnD3bn20yYanz9y_HJq54xiLDHvH_P6J3MKQ1UOIuX26F7rrFflc/s1600-h/IMG_3313.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301428633938172962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 391px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxkh_srA3KHIdVYhWFLLkFyo7U9xzQxsLYBbSK9ZNF0BI-wy6wGSk0BWw1DkUY5gHr06gOwAdRgcpGY4Ia1obgAcEnD3bn20yYanz9y_HJq54xiLDHvH_P6J3MKQ1UOIuX26F7rrFflc/s400/IMG_3313.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vGqdCDCd4xjlDafDzdXBqRBTwunyl5O0gHzIPanDYjQ5X0FIZ7NTQWczi7QnMawtHcJAJLu3xCMI-g6ySSkKRz3shwjdH-qEjxbi5ApMskgnVXEwcljP5ep0d3y2yfS4WuEab6HsAbw/s1600-h/IMG_3508.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301428646423942738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vGqdCDCd4xjlDafDzdXBqRBTwunyl5O0gHzIPanDYjQ5X0FIZ7NTQWczi7QnMawtHcJAJLu3xCMI-g6ySSkKRz3shwjdH-qEjxbi5ApMskgnVXEwcljP5ep0d3y2yfS4WuEab6HsAbw/s400/IMG_3508.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099452365792878855.post-48410748671628246382009-01-31T00:38:00.000-08:002009-02-11T01:17:43.903-08:00How to Apply for This Team<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDKYUpqxVXIPSxFBlW9kao19bmYwcBhaKu1LKkGnfWBXYVqEwUxtYdOBeCrK9n7OoYUevixsDJ0XARLZ-iOukuLhQRaq-ldB-nnj6woXKNrANlu8AP1maYI5B3-GZXSW9QmjaNS-eV6k/s1600-h/Chris+No.+3+MOZ+064.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301465203893049634" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 291px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 196px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDKYUpqxVXIPSxFBlW9kao19bmYwcBhaKu1LKkGnfWBXYVqEwUxtYdOBeCrK9n7OoYUevixsDJ0XARLZ-iOukuLhQRaq-ldB-nnj6woXKNrANlu8AP1maYI5B3-GZXSW9QmjaNS-eV6k/s320/Chris+No.+3+MOZ+064.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>This is Sarah from our 2008 team, sharing a smile with an orphan child. Picture yourself building homes for children in need in 2009.</strong></span><br /><br /><div><div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>If you have an application already on file with Global Village</strong>, then all you have to do is call the Global Village registrar at 1-800-422-4848 ext 7530, or write <a href="mailto:gv@habitat.org">gv@habitat.org</a> and request that your application be forwarded to the team leaders at <a href="mailto:lesliebell47@yahoo.com">lesliebell47@yahoo.com</a>. If your application is more than a year old, or needs updating, simply go online and submit a new application. All other forms must be less than a year old as well. Contact the team leaders by email to let them know that you have requested your application to be forwarded. Read the information below on the Interview Process.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>If you are new to Glo<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp65f6RKzrsp5yV8_ea9R3BFfIoBoHBsLQk2Fm7Dt88tIcPB73MYtQjaKj9-Iojrqt6kFgbcY13CmQgAjxfj__0MtOKklmMKUJwEpC5maCeMtkxquNqcW5TtVXZZ6viGfXTWfOovrHx1c/s1600-h/IMG_4153.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301463890692930786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp65f6RKzrsp5yV8_ea9R3BFfIoBoHBsLQk2Fm7Dt88tIcPB73MYtQjaKj9-Iojrqt6kFgbcY13CmQgAjxfj__0MtOKklmMKUJwEpC5maCeMtkxquNqcW5TtVXZZ6viGfXTWfOovrHx1c/s320/IMG_4153.JPG" border="0" /></a>bal Village,</strong> filling out an application form is easy, takes little time, and does not commit you to any team. Nor does it mean that you have been invited to join a team; but you must have an application on file in order to be interviewed for a team.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>The Application</strong><br />The Global Village application forms that must be submitted consists of: the GV application form; the Emergency Contact Information (ECI) and Release and Waiver of Liability form; the Participant Acknowledgement form. All of these forms can now be filled out online. Later, you must also submit a copy of the ID page of your passport, which must be valid for six months beyond the travel dates. You submit this to us, the team leader, not to GV. When we have them all collected we send a copy to GV. Do not send this copy to us until you have been selected for the team. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>TIPS on filling out the forms:</strong> </span></div><ul><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If you do not have a current passport, or do not have easy access to your passport, you can still submit your application and submit passport information later. </span></li><br /><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Make sure your email address is spelled correctly, as that is how you will be contacted with your 8-digit account number. </span><br /></li><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If you are applying for more than one team (other than our Mozambique teams), fill out the countries and dates for each team on ONE application form. If applying only for one of our Mozambique teams, give Mozambique as your preferred destination and the exact dates of the team you are applying for (Team One and/or Team Two). </span></li><br /><li><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The ECI also asks for health insurance information; you do NOT have to have health insurance to apply, but if you do have insurance, please submit that information. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Application Process</strong><br />Global Village receives electronic applications via the online application Web page, <a href="http://www.habitat.org/gv">www.habitat.org/gv</a>. The application and other forms can be filled out online, or downloaded for a paper copy to submit by mail or fax. The online process is immediate whereas applications by mail or fax may take up to two weeks. We have to have a copy of this application before the interview.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">When the application is entered into the database you will be advised of your 8-digit Habitat ID number. Once this number has been received, contact the Mozambique team leaders, Bob and Leslie Bell, at <a href="mailto:lesliebell47@yahoo.com">lesliebell47@yahoo.com</a> to request an interview. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>The Interview</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">All participants, including former team members on our past teams, must have a telephone interview. If there are multiple participants in one family, each participant must be interviewed, whether in a group or individual interview. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Please make sure you read ALL of the information on this blog before the interview. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The purpose of the interview is for YOU to be able to ask all the questions you have concerning this team in order to know whether or not it will meet your expectations. The team leaders also asks questions to make sure you are a candidate that will meet our expectations. If an invitation is extended, it usually happens within 24 <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQND82ii-51q4RUH6GWIPE0GI-ji2xQkOs_flcRUNtkRtJS6rrllfqkzR2ciP9RPTua3bYJlNZe9gg04pFYeg-PKjsWGYO_FqEB2BZseJFTY28YeMoJp2DhVRpVdxKhri3vDbcGp2rs4/s1600-h/Chris+No.+3+MOZ+131.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301464594513068962" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQND82ii-51q4RUH6GWIPE0GI-ji2xQkOs_flcRUNtkRtJS6rrllfqkzR2ciP9RPTua3bYJlNZe9gg04pFYeg-PKjsWGYO_FqEB2BZseJFTY28YeMoJp2DhVRpVdxKhri3vDbcGp2rs4/s320/Chris+No.+3+MOZ+131.JPG" border="0" /></a>hours of the interview. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Accepting or Declining</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">When an invitation is extended, it must be accepted or declined within three days. If accepting, you must immediately make your non-refundable, non-transferrable deposit of $350 before you are recognized as a team member by Global Village. For more information on making the deposit, read Payment and Donation Procedures & Policies. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><br />Pictures: Lindsey and new young friend; Barb, also from 2008 team, with her new friend, one of the local "master builders".</li></ul><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099452365792878855.post-76389518314235090902009-01-31T00:37:00.000-08:002009-02-01T21:38:35.949-08:00Payment and Donation Policies & Procedures<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This information applies to everybody who commits to a GV trip, so please read this carefully. We hope the following guide also proves helpful for those of you who are fundraising the financial support necessary to make your trip a reality. Be sure to review the information here before beginning your fundraising efforts. These guidelines are in place to ensure that you have the opportunity to join others in the mission of Habitat affiliates around the world to help build decent, affordable houses in partnership with low-income families. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><u>Deposit and Balance</u></strong> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Once you are invited to join the team, you must confirm your place on the team by submitting a nonrefundable and nontransferable deposit to Habitat for Humanity International in the amount of $350. The balance of the trip payment (trip cost minus the $350 deposit) is due no later than 45 days prior to departure (July 24 and August 14) </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><u>Submitting Payments</u></strong> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This information is for depositing your own funds, or to give to potential donors to make deposits on your behalf.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">All payments toward your trip must be made in U.S. dollars to Habitat for Humanity International, and designated to the Global Village department (see "coding" info below). Payments may be submitted by personal check, money order, MasterCard, Visa, American Express or Discover. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">You or your donors may submit funds by credit card online. Go to </span><a href="http://www.habitat.org/gv"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">www.habitat.org/gv</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> and click on the link called "Donate in Support of a Global Village Trip”. You can also submit funds by telephone by calling the GV customer service coordinator at (800) 422-4828, Ext. 7530. To submit payments online or over the phone, you and your donorws will need: a credit card number, your eight-digit Habitat ID number, and the GV event code for Mozambique, (GV10116 for Team One and GV 10117 for Team Two). Participants and donors who submit funds by credit card will receive an automatic e-mail acknowledgment that the payment was received.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Checks and money orders must be made payable to Habitat for Humanity International and mailed to: </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Habitat for Humanity International </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Global Village Department </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">P.O. Box 369 </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Americus, GA 31709-0369 </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Make sure the check or money order is coded correctly (see below). Tracking down funds that are not submitted correctly can take a tremendous amount of time and sometimes cannot be found in order to be credited to the participant.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Note: It may take up to two weeks for donations to post to your account. Your deposit and any payments you submit toward the cost of your trip will automatically be credited toward satisfying your financial obligation only when coded as per the instructions. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">All donors will receive a tax-deductible receipt regardless of how the funds are submitted.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><u>Coding Your Donations</u></strong> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For a donation to be credited toward your trip, your personal eight-digit Habitat ID number and GV event code for Mozambique (GV10116 or GV10117) must be included on ALL funds submitted to the Global Village program on your behalf. For online credit card payments include your eight-digit Habitat ID number and GV event code in the fields provided. For personal checks or money orders please write the eight-digit Habitat ID number above the name and address in the upper left corner of the check, and the GV event code on the memo line located in the lower left corner. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Make sure all of your donors are given this information if they intend to submit their donation directly to Habitat.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If you are uncertain of your eight-digit Habitat ID number or the GV event code, please contact your team leader. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><u>Fund Raising Web Site</u></strong> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">To use the fundraising web site, point your web browser to </span><a href="http://www.habitat.org/gv/create.html"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">www.habitat.org/gv/create.html</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> and in just a few minutes you can create a personalized fundraising web page for your trip. You can then direct potential donors to your web site where they can learn more about the Global Village program, HFHI and your specific trip. You can also direct potential donors to this blog. More information is in this blog on the post called Setting Up Your Fundraising Web Page.</span><br /><strong><u><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></u></strong><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><u>Matching Gifts</u></strong> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Contact your company’s matching gift officer prior to submitting a matching gift form. Not all companies’ matching-gift policies allow for the matching of participation fees. If applying for matching gifts, notify your team leader. Note: Matching gift funds often take 6 months to be received by Habitat. Make sure your application for matching gifts is done well in advance</span><br /><strong><u><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></u></strong><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><u>Tax Deductibility</u></strong> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Funding raised toward the cost of a Global Village trip also includes the cost of food, lodging and transportation during the trip. Only a portion of the required trip payment supports the charitable purpose of the hosting Habitat program. Depending on the participant’s country of origin, this trip’s cost may or may not be tax-deductible. Please consult a tax adviser concerning your specific situation.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><u>Acknowledging Donations</u></strong> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">All donors who contribute via check or money order payable to Habitat for Humanity International, or make a credit card donation designated to a Global Village team, are sent acknowledgment letters by Habitat for Humanity International. Those who donate online (via a personalized Web page or via the link “Donate in Support of a Global Village Trip”) receive a prompt e-mail confirmation that the donation was received, and will also be mailed an acknowledgement letter. Discourage your supporters from sending cash, as Habitat for Humanity International cannot acknowledge cash donations. Talk to the team leader about cash that you collect as a donation at your own fundraising events.</span><br /><br /><strong><u><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">How to Find Out the Status of Your Account</span></u></strong><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Keep track of any funds that you submit yourself or on behalf of your donors. To know what other donations have been made to your account, contact your team leader (NOT the GV Department). The Team Leader receives updated accounting about every two weeks.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><strong><u><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Donation checks Made Payable To You Instead of HFHI</span></u></strong><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If a donor makes a check payable to you, but would like an acknowledgment letter from HFHI, you may write “Payable to Habitat for Humanity International,” along with your signature, on the back of the check. Include the event code and your eight-digit Habitat ID number on the front of the check. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If the donor does not want an acknowledgement form, you may submit this gift yourself and receive the acknowledgement form, or, with the donor's permission, use the gift for your own personal use towards your airfare or other travel expenses. You can use cash that you receive in the same manner.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><u>Funds Raised in Addition to the Published Trip Cost</u></strong> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">One of the stated purposes of the Global Village program is to raise funds for the building efforts of Habitat affiliates worldwide. To remain consistent with our mission, the Global Village department is not able to roll additional funds over to a future GV trip. Habitat for Humanity International will direct any additional funding you raise (beyond the published trip cost) to additional support for the building programs in the team’s host country. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><u>Fundraising for Airfare</u></strong> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As of Jan. 1, 2008, funds raised at HFHI in excess of the trip cost may no longer be used to cover all or part of a GV participant’s airfare. Participants may still be able to claim their airfare as a tax-deductible expense even if the funds are paid directly from the participant to a vendor, as long as the trip is in pursuit of a charitable purpose. Team members will need to contact a tax adviser concerning their specific situation. Team members can, however, receive "miles" in an airline mileage program as a donation. No receipt, however, can be given to the donor. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><u>Cancellation Policy</u></strong> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">No refunds are offered if you must cancel.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><u>Cancellation More Than 45 Days Prior to Departure</u></strong> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">All payments excluding the $350 deposit may be transferred for use on a future GV trip within one year of your original trip date. All cancellation notices must first be given to your team leader before notifying GV. All transfer requests must be sent in writing to the Global Village sending coordinator. Ask your team leader for more information. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><u>Cancellation Within 45 Days of Departure</u></strong> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">One hundred percent of your payments and donations will be retained by HFHI to meet current obligations. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><u>If Habitat for Humanity Must Cancel</u></strong> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">GV will make every effort to conduct the trip as scheduled; however, if Habitat for Humanity International must cancel, GV will attempt to place you on another team. If that is not possible, you may receive a full refund. Global Village cannot compensate participants for the cost of unusable airfare or any other expenses resulting from the cancellation </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><u>Delays Enroute</u></strong> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If delays occur enroute, or missed or cancelled flights cause you to miss your rendezvous with the team, the Global Village staff will do everything possible to assist you in connecting with the team. However, Global Village cannot be responsible for any expenses incurred due to flight problems. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Note: all team members are provided with a Trip Cancellation Insurance policy. See more information on this blog site. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099452365792878855.post-46622991510010749622009-01-31T00:31:00.000-08:002009-02-01T17:43:05.202-08:00Passport and Visas for Mozambique and South Africa<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Passport Requirements</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">All participants on the Mozambique (Mz) team must have a valid passport that does not expire before March 10, 2010 (Team One) or March 26, 2010 (Team Two). ALSO, you must have at least FOUR blank pages in your passport for the Mz and South Africa (SA) visa stamps. You cannot count the last three pages that say "for ammendments". If you are a frequent international traveler, make sure you have this many pages. If not, you need to apply at the State Department for an extension to be put in your passport (extra pages). </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Visas</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Participants must have a Mozambique visa stamped into your passport BEFORE entering the country. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cost: $40 </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">You will get your South Africa visa upon arrival at the Johannesburg airport. There is no fee. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In order to apply for your Mz visa, your name must appear in a letter of invitation from Habitat Mozambique to accompany the passport application. This letter will be mailed to you, along with the visa application and instructions on how to fill it out by the team leaders. Visa applications must be accompanied by your valid passport, the letter of invitation, 2 identical passport photos, the fee, a return mailer, and a copy of a confirmed flight itinerary. Therefore, it is essential to obtain airline tickets as soon as possible. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">TIPS: When having photos taken for your passport and/or visa, have at least two additional photos made for travel situations that may come up (including replacing a lost/stolen passport). When purchasing your airline ticket make sure the name on the itinerary is spelled EXACTLY as it appears in your passport. If you are traveling to other countries on your own that require visas, you may want to apply for all of your visas at once, through a passport service, to eliminate multiple mailings. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099452365792878855.post-90250295593918144512009-01-31T00:30:00.002-08:002009-02-01T22:12:47.249-08:00How Visitors to This Blog Can Donate to the Kids of Mozambique<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If you are a visitor to this blog, you can donate funds that: </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1) go directly into the team donation account for the materials for a Mozambique house for Orphans and Vulnerable Children, or </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">2) to support a particular team member in their efforts to raise money for their expenses and airfare. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">You also have a choice of donating online or over the phone. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">To donate by phone, call Global Village's Customer Service Representative at 1-800-HABITAT, ext 7530, Monday-Friday, 8-5, EST. If donating online, go to </span><a href="http://www.habitat.org/gv"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">www.habitat.org/gv</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. Click on the words "make a donation in support of a Global Village team". Fill in the required information. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If donating only to the team fund for materials (option 1 above), at the bottom of the web page, where it says "please apply this donation towards", click the third button "The Global Village team indicated below". Enter the EventCode: GV 10116. If you wish to support a particular team member, then you will go to that same website and page, except that you will click on the second button, "The following person's Global Village trip". You will enter the event code of that particular team member (GV 10116 or GV 10117), but you will also need that person's 8-digit ID number. You need to ask the team participant for their ID# and event code, or call the 800 number listed above and speak to the customer service representative.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">You will receive a tax-deductible receipt for all the funds, regardless of which account you deposit your donation, and whether it's by phone or online. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If you want to make the donation anonymous, you will have to make your donation over the phone and express your wishes to the representative. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099452365792878855.post-83050539181516132562009-01-31T00:30:00.001-08:002009-02-24T22:03:01.071-08:00Fundraising Ideas<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Fundraising is all about getting out the word – raising awareness. Your trip shouldn’t be a secret. Give friends and family the opportunity to be involved in your excitement and to contribute towards helping a family in need.<br /><br />You aren’t asking for money as much as you are helping meet the needs of people….the need of those to give AND the need of those who will be receiving. We often think that the people receiving the house are the ones "in need" - but aren't we all in need at one level or another? I know for myself that the act of just going on the team is filling a need of mine. Working with a homeowner fills a need. And for those who can't go on a team, giving towards those homeowners or a team member fills a need of theirs.<br /><br />Whether those you ask actually donate towards your trip and the work of Habitat or not, they STILL will know more about what Habitat is doing to help eliminate poverty housing in our world. And that’s cool too.<br /><br />Set an "awareness-raising" goal along with a "fund-raising" goal - see how many people you can make aware of the housing need in this country along with how much money you raise. And no matter what, make it fun-raising as well!<br /><br />Awareness/Fundraising is a big challenge for some individuals. But once you start you may find, as many previous team members have, that the response is enthusiastic and supportive. Don't limit yourself or your sponsors - there's no harm in going OVER your goal!!<br /><br />Ready to start raising? Start reading, and get going!!<br /><br />These ideas are ones that other team members in the past have used and willing to share. Pick the ones that suit you the best. And if you come up with something totally different, let me know so that I can share that as well. </span><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I, personally, "sold houses" last year. I sent out a message to a lot of people - a LOT of people - just about everyone in my address book, with the idea of them "investing in real estate in Mozambique". I sold the houses for $1000 each, and much to my surprise I sold ELEVEN houses!! And most of them were by people who were a complete surprise to me - I was expecting perhaps a $100 donation, not $1000. And for those who didn't buy a whole house, many did donate an amount that was appropriate to them. I am posting a copy of my "House for Sale" letter at the end of this posting.</span></p><p><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>TOP fundraising idea used by many former teams members:</strong> It's the most often used, the most successful, and easiest.<strong> </strong><strong>“The Letter”</strong> – sent by email and/or snail mail.<br />I don’t know what else to call it. But it works. Has worked over and over and over again. The response to it always surprises those who use it. Below, there is a sample letter. You will obviously have to make changes to personalize it. But you get the idea. Some folks have made this letter quite humorous, entertaining, and certainly educational. Be creative - use as much of this sample letter as you want, but make sure it has your "voice" so it doesn't sound like some form letter. Just come up with your own style, personality, and then send it off. You will be amazed at how well it works!!<br /><br />We once had a team member join a team very late… she only had two weeks to raise money and pack! She didn’t have time for the usual “letter”, and just sent out a quick message to everyone in her email address book explaining briefly what she was doing and ended with “I don’t have time to explain any more right now, but you know Habitat, you know me, so send money NOW….I’ll fill you in when I get back!” And, she had her whole $2000 promised or sent within 48 hours!!!<br /><br />As Millard Fuller, Habitat’s founder, once said, “I’ve tried asking and I’ve tried not asking. Not asking never works. Asking usually does.”<br /><br />The sample letter has two important points for you to consider about your own letter:<br /><br />1) awareness/education: it tells a little bit about how HFH works, the team, and how the monies will be used.<br /><br />2) the process: it also gives specific information about how they can contribute.<br /><br /><strong>Additional Tips:</strong><br /><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">a If you’re sending letters or cards by regular mail instead of email, it is a good idea to include a self-addressed stamped envelope - that helps make sure they have the correct address and that they send the check to Habitat for Humanity International's GV Department, not the general fund (it takes forever to locate a mis-designated check!) They can also call the office or go online with a credit card donation. People really like personalized letters in the mail. It costs more in time and stamps than an email, but they are very well received, and get results! There is a greater chance for delays in sending in donations by mail or even for them to get lost in the mail, so it would be better if they actually make their donation online or over the phone. But if they would prefer to send a check, make sure that the instructions for coding the check are accurate. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">aIf you use the GV website (see the post called "Setting up your GV fundraising web page") for sending out an email request, you can use this same letter, and those you send it to can access the online website for donating right from a link that is sent along with your letter. They still get their tax-deductible receipt. You are also notified immediately, by email, that a donation has been made so that you can keep track and write to thank them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">aIn addition to or instead of, consider alternative giving for an upcoming graduation, birthday, anniversary or retirement. Put your letter into your announcement, asking for support for this team in lieu of a card or gift. Let colleagues know of your plans after retirement and suggest a monetary donation to Habitat instead of the usual plaque or watch. </span></p><p><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">More ideas listed below after this sample letter! </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Sample Letter</strong> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">January 2009</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Dear friend, Greetings from under an umbrella in Oregon! </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What an amazing community I live in, and what beautiful friends and family encircle me. I would like to share something wonderful and exciting that is happening with me.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The upcoming holiday seasons are for giving thanks for our multiple blessings, and to be reminded of the hope that we have for peace in our world. Hope, however, is difficult in the hearts of those who struggle daily with the affects of poverty. Living in leaky, disease-ridden shacks in unsafe environments is not how parents want to raise their children. They, like all of us, want their families to be healthy and free of danger. Part of that is having a simple, decent, affordable home in which to live.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I've been invited to participate in a Habitat for Humanity short-term mission trip this summer. As you may know, Habitat sends mission teams all over the world to help build houses for people in need. And I've been invited to go to Mozambique! </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">All the team members are raising funds for building materials and the expenses to make this all happen. Once we get to Mozambique, we will be working side-by-side with future homeowners and others in the village to build "emergency housing". This is a special program where Habitat is partnering with other non-profit agencies to address the phenomenally growing number of children that have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. There are over 500,000 orphans in Mozambique alone! What makes these homes that I will be building even more special is that they will house children under the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)Program. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">You can read more about this amazing program at our team's BLOG site: </span><a href="http://www.gvmozambique2009.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">http://www.gvmozambique2009.blogspot.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">There will be 16 people from the US and Canada on this team, including me!! My personal challenge is to raise awareness of the great need in Mozambique, and to raise the funds that will be used to cover the expenses of the trip (insurance, housing, travel, meals in the village, etc) , as well as a minimum donation of $500 for building materials towards the houses and Habitat for Humanity's housebuilding program. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I am asking for your support in this endeavor. Any amount would be appreciated and you will receive a tax-deductible receipt. You can even charge it to your credit card!! Instructions on how to donate are at the end of this letter. As always, even if you can’t support the team financially, we ask for support through your prayers and well-wishes. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I will be happy to share stories and pictures with all my supporters when I return so that you can hear about all that we accomplished. Thank you for considering "joining" this team through your "investment" in me and the children in Mozambique. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">By the way, for you folks that can make it, I’m hosting a wine & cheese tasting party at my house, Friday night, 7pm. Good music, as always. Your donation for this opportunity will go to the Mozambique fund. Give me a call if you can come so that I’ll have plenty to share! In partnership and with great hope, </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Your name </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>How To Donate:</strong> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Y Please make out checks to Habitat for Humanity International, put my name, my ID# xxxx-xxxx, & "Mozambique GV 10xxx" in the “memo” portion at the bottom, and mail it in the envelope I have provided to Global Village. Make sure your current address is on the check because that is where your tax-deductible receipt will be sent.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Y Or, you can call the Habitat-Global Village office at 1-800-HABITAT, extension 7530 to give them your credit card information. Make sure you give them the trip event number (GV815) and my name and ID# xxxx-xxxx. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Y Or, you can donate online. Go to </span><a href="http://www.habitat.org/gv"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">www.habitat.org/gv</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. Click on the words to the right, "make a donation in support of a Global Village trip". Fill out all the information, including my event number and ID# (above). If you do not receive your tax-deductible receipt in the mail within a few days, let me know.<br />encl.: self-addressed return envelope<br /></span></p><strong></strong><p align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">OTHER FUNDRAISING SUGGESTIONS</span></strong> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Here’s a few more that other folks have used. Check out #1 – it has worked very successfully, and it’s fun. Some of these ideas can be incorporated in your informational letter as a way of raising money and awareness. Also, don't keep all the fundraising fun to yourself - ask family, friends and co-workers to choose one of these ideas as a way to support you - they may especially like #7, #8, #9, #10, or #11. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1) Sell “shares” of love or “shares” of hope. This works well with business or professional folks. They sell the shares for whatever they think will work: $10/share, $1/share, $100/share… whatever appeals to you and your “investors”. Folks can buy however many shares they want. You can even make up a “share certificate” to give to them. Then promise all of these “stockholders” that you will have a stockholders' meeting when you get back and give them a report on their “investment”. This “report” can be delivered at a dinner in your home, and/or can be mailed out. The report might include photos of the houses you worked on, the new homeowner families, things about your trip, how Habitat has brought hope or love into the lives of those involved, etc. Sometimes team members serve an actual dinner or dessert at this meeting that represents where they have been – like sourdough pancakes from Alaska or kiwi fruit from New Zealand, or whatever you like to do to make it fun. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">2) Some people like something more tangible. “Sell” items for building the Habitat house, such as $10 for a bag of cement, $25 for window shutters, $50 replaces some worn out hand tools, $100 concrete foundation. One former team member even sold her pains! (“$10 will help me not think about my hammered fingers, $25 will help me smile even with a sore back, $100 will want to make me sing instead of complain about my aching muscles”). </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">3) Challenges: for example: “Every dollar you donate will be a nail I’ll pound at our local affiliate, or "for every $10, I'll bring a plate of cookies to the office".</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">4) Sell your "talents" - "when the office raises $250, I'll sing at lunch", "when my basketball team raises $500, I'll host the pizza party", etc. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">5) Ask for sponsors in your self-designed “thon” of some sort (I’ll be walking a mile, swimming a lap, etc for every $xx donated) </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">6) Promise other groups, (your church, Sunday school class, civic organization) a presentation upon your return in exchange for a "hope offering" now. (this is somewhat like selling “hope shares” and having a “stockholders meeting” when you come back) </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">7) Non-Bake Sale Bake Sale - This one is FUN and EASY to do for those of you who like to bake/prepare a specialty item (breads, pies, tamales, sushi, etc), but don't like bake sales: Tell your friends, neighbors, office workers…put in your church bulletin… that you are going to be baking on a certain day and what you will be making. Set your price, take orders for that item in advance and let them know when they can pick it up (or when you'll deliver). For example: "I'm preparing some of my infamous sushi platters this Saturday (or every Saturday in January) for $25/platter. If you want to enjoy the best ever made while also helping eliminate poverty housing in Mozambique, please place your order with me by Thursday. You can pick it up at my house any time after 5pm, or I'll meet you at the grocery store parking lot at 6pm for an extra $5 delivery charge." And remind them, they can CHARGE IT!! (they go to the website and donate online or do it over the phone at Global Village). By taking orders, you already have your market, you know exactly how much to make, you make only the kind of delicacy you want, and you don't have to stand around at a bake sale table in front of the grocery store! If you want, especially if you are making large quantities, you can deduct your costs from what you bring in and donate the profit. This kind of fund raising is also very enjoyable to do with family & friends who would like to help you do the baking/preparation as well. Hey, do you have a Valentine cookie or candy recipe that you want to sell in advance? </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">8) Along the same line, there are those that have a "specialty talents" in other areas: offering house repairs for a few Saturday afternoons, cleaning, foot massages, sewing a specialty design, raffling a quilt, etc. Sometimes the project doesn't have to be complete before the trip. IE: sell raffles based on the quilt design, and tell them when it will be done (before Christmas!); or, the house painting you do may not be until you get back, but you could receive payment in advance; or your babysitting, housecleaning, plant care may start now and continue on when you get back - but you get paid for it all in advance. We all have marketable talents, so figure out how to sell yours! </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">9) Host a dinner, dessert, or wine & cheese tasting, in your home with your family, friends, co-workers. Tell them you are asking $5, $10, whatever you think is reasonable for your crowd to donate to your trip fund. If you like, you can deduct the costs of your food, and then donate the remainder, or you can donate all of it. If they give you cash, you will then write a check for all the cash your receive and send it in and you will get the receipt. If someone in attendance wants to donate and wants a receipt for themselves, that can be done as well. They just have to write the check to HFHI and you send that it along with other checks you receive as donations (code each check correctly as per the directions). The hosting of these parties can be a weekly or monthly event if you like. People look forward to your parties! Have others in your office or family host the parties at their home as well. Make sure you have handouts available on information about what your team is doing.... something that explains the need. Maps, pictures...it all helps. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">10) Host a holiday (Valentine's, Easter) cookie decorating and/or baking party. Tell participants that you are asking for a donation – you set the minimum amount. You can supply all the pre-baked cookies and decorations, or ask them to bring some of their favorites as well. The information in #8 as to what to do with the funds is the same for this situation. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">11) Host a garden tea party. Sell your plant starters, bulbs, cuttings. Knowing it's a donation for your team will usually bring a better-than-usual price. They can give cash, or write a check if they want a receipt. </span></p><p><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Be creative – be YOU. And share your ideas with others on the team - everyone is looking for some way to make this work.</span></strong></p><p><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Below is a copy of my "House for Sale" letter that brought in ELEVEN $1000 donations as well as several smaller ones. You are welcome to use it if you like - but read over as it may need updated. I used this one in 2008.</span></strong></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span> </p><p align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>Houses for sale! Interest free!</strong><br /></span> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Want to buy your spouse a house for an upcoming anniversary?<br />How about you kids, don’t you want to buy your mom a house for Mother’s day, or one for dad for his birthday?<br />Or, bathe in luxury, and buy yourself a “second home”!</span></p><p align="center"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For only $1000 this could be a dream-come-true!</span></p><p align="left"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> You can truly buy a house for only $1000, and children in Mozambique in the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) program will have a home, attended to by a caring adult from their community or family. They not only will have a decent, healthy, and safe house, but they will receive an education, and have access to medical attention. Their caretaker will also have access to medical attention and will hold deed to the property.<br /><br />These houses are being built by Habitat for Humanity Mozambique in partnership with local, national, and international organizations that identify and care for vulnerable families through food, training, advocacy, health and educational services, prevention and basic social support.<br /><br />Donors like you enable them to build more houses to address the problem of the growing number of children defined by OVC as children who have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS or children who have sick or dying parents. There are currently over 500,000 orphans of parents who have already died from AIDS in Mozambique. Without a home, without a caring stable adult in their lives, these children are vulnerable to manipulation, disease, and bondage. You may have read in the newspaper recently where a truck with about 40 young Mozambican children were in the back, headed across a border to be used for who knows what. No one would have ever missed them. This is not only morally and ethically unacceptable, but it leads to certain political and economical disaster, not only in Mozambique but the entire region. <br /><br />We are leading an all-volunteer Global Village team from Habitat for Humanity International and we will be building with Habitat Mozambique for two weeks in July 2008. The volunteers are raising funds for their own expenses, but also for at least 8 houses ($8,000) We’d like to raise enough money to build twice as many! <br /><br />Can you help with that goal? Maybe you can’t buy an entire house yourself, but perhaps go in with others in your family, work place, neighborhood, or church to buy one house? Or just make a contribution for any amount that you can, and perhaps all of us together will reach our goal of 16 houses!! And to top it all off, you get a tax-deductible receipt for the full amount!<br /><br />You can do this using your credit card - where else could you buy a house on a credit card??!!<br /><br />Simply call 1-800-HABITAT ext 7530, Mon-Fri 8am-5pm EST, and give the representative your name, credit card info, and the amount you want to donate to the team fund of GV8125 Mozambique.<br /><br />You can also go online to </span><a href="http://www.habitat.org/gv"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">www.habitat.org/gv</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. On the right side of that page, click on the “make a donation in support of a Global Village team”. Fill in the information, and at the end where it says “please apply this donation towards”, click the third button (“The Global Village team indicated below”) Enter the event code: GV 8125. <br /><br />If you want to write a check, you can do so by making it out to HFHI (Habitat for Humanity), putting GV8125 in the memo section and mailing it to:<br />Bob and Leslie Bell<br />868 6th St.<br />Springfield, OR 97477<br /><br />We will then submit it with all the other checks. You still receive a tax-deductible receipt, but it will take more time to process than with a credit card donation.<br /><br />When we return from Mozambique, you will be sent pictures of the home you helped to build, and the children being helped by the OVC program. <br /><br />Thanks for caring,<br /><br />Bob and Leslie<br />GV team leaders<br /><br />PS – more details and information on this special Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) program can be provided upon request.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> </span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099452365792878855.post-4996244208848400092009-01-31T00:28:00.002-08:002009-02-23T14:03:19.889-08:00Setting Up Your Fundraising Web Page<div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">Create a <span style="font-size:180%;">FUND-RAISING</span> Web Page </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">(in just minutes!!) </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></div><br />Create a Web page simply and easily by using the Global Village Web page design wizard at </span><a href="http://www.habitat.org/gv/create.html"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">www.habitat.org/gv/create.html</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. Our wizard will customize a page for you, containing information about Habitat, Global Village, the specifics of YOUR trip, YOUR destination country/state, and forms for taking donations on-line or by mail for YOUR account!</span><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:webdings;">Y </span>Technical skills are not required (whew!) </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:webdings;">Y </span>The Web page is personalized with YOUR trip details and information (wow!) Y You can provide the Web address to family, friends, church groups and others to raise support and participation in the Global Village event (neat AWARENESS-raising tool also!) </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:webdings;">Y </span>E-mail a note about your GV trip to your friends and include the page’s address. Encourage them to visit your Web page. (how easy!!) </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-family:webdings;">Y </span>In fund-raising letters, refer the reader to your Web page for more information and an easy way to support you or your GV team (personal touch with techno advantages!) </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Here's how, step-by-step: </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Step 1: Copy and paste this address in your Web browser: </span><a href="http://www.habitat.org/gv/create.html"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">www.habitat.org/gv/create.html</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> Step 2: Enter your eight-digit Habitat ID number. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Step 3: Create a password for your page, so you can come back and edit it later if you'd like. Step 4: Enter your Global Village trip number, your name, and your e-mail address. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Step 5: They will create an example welcome message for your page. You can edit their message, or write a completely different message if you'd like. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Step 6: Your page is now ready! They'll give you the address at which your page is located. Copy this address down, so you can let friends and family know how to find your page. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">You also can change the information you entered at any time. Just return to www.habitat.org/gv/create.html, enter your Habitat ID and password, and you can change your information and welcome message as needed. The system will update your page automatically with the your new information.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099452365792878855.post-82883226683966977722009-01-31T00:28:00.001-08:002009-02-23T14:11:24.344-08:00Immunizations & Tips on Staying Healthy<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Note to all team members: You will be in <strong>southern Mozambique</strong>, near the capital of Maputo, as well as <strong>Johannesburg, South Africa</strong>, and perhaps, if you go on the optional R&R, <strong>Kruger National Park in South Africa</strong>. It is important that you give this information to your travel clinic as the requirements may be different for each area.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We, as team leaders, cannot tell you exactly what you have to do to prepare to protect your health on this trip. That decision is between you and your health care provider. Because of the health risks that do exist in Mozambique, we strongly advise you to seek out a "travel doctor" or clinic that is familiar with international travel and current exposure potential.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Of course there is more to health care than immunizations...such as wearing sunblock and a hat and drinking plenty of water. Your physician will advise you on all of this, as well as other preventative measures.The travel clinic will want you to bring information regarding your up-to-date list of vaccinations, medications, allergies/sensitivities and recent illnesses.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In addition, we encourage you to have a routine check with your General Practitioner, regarding your blood pressure, medications, and overall health for this trip. Let him/her know what the "travel doctor" recommended for you and see if there is an agreeance.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For your information, as a measure towards preventing malaria, bed nets are provided where we will be staying. Also, for those of you who often donate blood, please note: You are not allowed to donate blood for at least 1 year after you have returned from a malarious area.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">HIV is prevalent in Mozambique with a nationwide infection rate of roughly 16% yet as high as 20% in certain areas such as transport routes. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For more information go to www.cdc.gov/travel/destinationMozambique. If you go to that website, there are other links mentioned that you can go to for further information.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />If your travel plans will take you to more than one country during a single trip, be sure to let your health-care provider know so that you can receive the appropriate vaccinations and information for all of your destinations.<br /><br />Although yellow fever is not a disease risk in Mozambique, the government requires travelers arriving from countries where yellow fever is present to present proof of yellow fever vaccination. If you will be traveling to one of these countries where yellow fever is present before arriving in Mozambique, this requirement must be taken into consideration.<br /><br />Reminder: you are financially responsible for all costs concerning doctor visits and immunizations. These costs are NOT covered in the fees listed for this event.<br /><div align="center"><br /><strong>IMMUNIZATIONS</strong></div><br />To view current recommendations and reports on required or suggested immunizations, go to the web at http://</span><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/travel"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">www.cdc.gov/travel</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> .</span><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">T</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">o have the most benefit, see a health-care provider at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to allow time for your vaccines to take effect and to start taking medicine to prevent malaria, if you need it. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Even if you have less than 4 weeks before you leave, you should still see a health-care provider for needed vaccines, anti-malaria drugs and other medications and information about how to protect yourself from illness and injury while traveling. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">CDC recommends that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine. Find a travel medicine clinic near you by going to the web at: </span><a href="http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentTravelClinics.aspx"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentTravelClinics.aspx</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099452365792878855.post-84773692929912867192009-01-31T00:14:00.000-08:002009-02-23T14:15:59.859-08:00Water & Sun - How To Stay Healthy & Safe<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This information comes directly from our Habitat host. He wants our team to be healthy and safe at all times. He says: </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Always wash your hands thoroughly before eating. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Always request for purified or bottled water. Even when taking mixed drinks or soda’s with ice, please request for ice/ ice cubes from purified water. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Using purified water may include for brushing teeth. Water can be purified or distilled. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Bottled water is abundant and readily available. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Water contamination may apply to bathing as well as food. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If bathing or swimming in rivers is a practice, be cautious if the water could be contaminated. Wash thoroughly and disinfect cuts and sores afterwards. Do not shave while bathing in such water. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If purchasing fruits and vegetables on your own, please have this thoroughly washed or even peeled if necessary before eating. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Street food: Volunteers are advised to ask about buying any “street food”. Though this is a culinary experience, please ask the advice of your local project host before doing so. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In special cases where the toilet facilities are a challenge to some participants, some may choose not to drink enough water just to avoid using these facilities. Dehydration can be the consequence. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sunburn and even heat exhaustion and stroke are a potential risk. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Always put on sunscreen before working or even going to the city. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Wear a hat or bandanna on the work site. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Wear a long-sleeved shirt to protect the arms and long trousers for the legs. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Also, working on a construction site for prolonged periods of time is not a usual activity for most international team members, frequent breaks and rest are encouraged. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“Drink lots of water! The greatest health threats to any team working in the tropical heat are dysentery and dehydration”.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099452365792878855.post-76582575827707584782009-01-31T00:13:00.002-08:002009-02-23T14:31:39.470-08:00Travel Medical Insurance Information<p align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;"><strong>Travel Medical Insurance</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Global Village Program</strong> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A portion of your work trip fee established by your team leader covers the cost of insurance coverage. Through paying your fee, you will automatically be insured against accidental loss of life, limb, sight, speech or hearing while participating in volunteer activities sponsored and supervised by Habitat for Humanity. This mandatory insurance coverage is consistent with policies recommended by Habitat for Humanity International’s Legal department and ratified by the HFHI board of directors on Feb. 10, 1994. The coverage is designed to ensure a comprehensive risk management program and to provide protection to Habitat’s Global Village trip volunteers. We have a serious commitment to risk management and assume everyone is willing to comply. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Note:</strong> Covered medical expenses incurred for treatment of a pre-existing condition are limited to a maximum of $50,000. “Pre-existing condition” means any injury or illness that was contracted or that manifested itself, or for which treatment or medication was prescribed, prior to the effective date of this insurance. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Claims</strong> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">To file a claim, consult with the team leader immediately and request a claim form. See “Quick Tips for Filing a Claim” (below) for proper procedures and assistance in filing a claim. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Specifications, Provisions and Exclusions</strong> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Coverage is sold on a per-day basis and commences at the actual start of the trip from the insured’s residence or designated departure point. Coverage terminates immediately upon return to the insured’s residence or designated return point, or at the end of the published itinerary. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Note: Anyone traveling five days before or five days after their official team dates is offered (automatically) the same coverage at no additional cost.</strong> Unfortunately, no other extensions of this coverage are available. You must be sure to properly insure yourself for all other personal travel. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The policy does not cover loss caused by or resulting from any of the following: intentionally self-inflicted injuries; suicide while sane; attempted suicide while sane; pregnancy, childbirth or miscarriage; accident occurring while a passenger on, operating or learning to operate, or serving as a crew member of any aircraft. Injuries or sickness sustained while under the influence of drugs (other than prescribed) or alcohol are not covered. Injuries or illness sustained while racing or committing or attempting to commit a felony are not covered. This is a general summary, but it is still subject to the policy terms, conditions and exclusions.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Medical Assistance</strong> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Medical assistance for Global Village team members is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It includes the following: </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">• Medical evacuation and repatriation benefit. Your expenses up to $150,000 will be covered in the case that accidental bodily injury, disease or illness requires your medical evacuation or repatriation while on a covered trip. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">• Multilingual MEDEX assistance specialists. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">• Assistance in locating the nearest, most appropriate medical care. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">• International MEDEX preferred provider networks. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">• MEDEX program medical advisors (physician) consultative and advisory services, including review of appropriateness and analysis of medical care. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">• Assistance in establishing contact with family, personal physician and employer, as appropriate. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">• Monitoring progress during treatment and recovery. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">• </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Emergency message transmittal services. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">• Translation services and referrals to local interpreters, as necessary. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">• Verification of insurance coverage facilitating entry and admissions to hospitals and other medical care providers. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">• Special assistance regarding the coordination of direct claims payment. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">• Emergency funds transfers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">• Coordination of embassy and consulate services. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">• Management, arrangement and coordination of emergency medical transportation, as necessary.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">• Management, arrangement and coordination of repatriation of remains. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">• Knowledgeable legal referral assistance. • Coordination of securing bail bonds and other legal documents. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">• Special assistance in replacing lost or stolen travel documents,including passport. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">• Courtesy assistance in securing incidental aid and othertravel-related services. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">• Special assistance in making arrangements for interrupted or disrupted travel plans resulting from emergency situations, including: </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1. The return of unaccompanied travel companions. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">2. Travel to the bedside of a stranded person. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">3. Rearrangement of ticketing due to accident or illnessand other travel-related emergencies.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">4. The return of stranded motor vehicles and relatedpersonal items. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Covered Services Per Volunteer Benefits</strong> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Medical Accident or Sickness. . . . . . . $250,000 Max. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Deductible. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . None </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Coverage (%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100% </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Permanent Total Disability . . . . . . . . . . . . $250,000 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Emergency Medical Evacuation . . . . . . . . $150,000 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Accidental Death & Dismemberment. . . . . . $250,000 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Repatriation of Remains . . . . . . . . . . . . . $150,000 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Medical Assistance Services . . . . . . . . . . . MEDEX </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Quick Tips for Filing a Claim</strong> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Policy 6404-54-47 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">MEDEX Code CHB </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1. Notify your Global Village team leader of any accident or need for medical attention as soon as possible. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">2. Your team leader will supply you with an accident claim form that needs to be completed and sent to Habitat Claims Unit c/o Chubb Group of Insurance Co. Details are on the form. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">3. Be certain the attending physician completes the “Physician’s Report” section of the claim form, including diagnostic/treatment, signature and date. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">4. Obtain a copy of the hospital/clinic invoices and make copies of all prescriptions/invoices and submit same with the claim form. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">5. Have your team leader sign the form. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">6. Claims must be submitted within 90 days from the date of the accident/injury/illness. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Important:</strong> If assistance is needed in identifying an appropriate medical provider or facility, contact MEDEX at (800) 527-0218 or collect at (410) 453-6330. MEDEX code is CHB. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Urgent Care and Evaluation</strong>: If emergency evacuation and/or urgent care are needed, contact MEDEX immediately. MEDEX will make all the appropriate arrangements. See phone numbers above. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Note:</strong> Even if the claim amount is considered too small for submission, or it is determined by diagnostic evaluation that the condition may not be serious or requires no further medical treatment at the time, the Global Village program and its underwriter recommend completing all of the above steps in order to establish a basis for admission of a valid claim later. Toll free numbers are available in some countries as listed below. You should call collect if the toll free number is not accepted by the local telephone exchange. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>International Toll Free Telephone Access Numbers</strong> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Australia and Tasmania. . . . . . 1-800-127-907</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Austria . . . . . . . . . . 0-800-29-5810 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Belgium. . . . . . . . . . 0800-1-7759 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Brazil . . . . . . . . . . 0800-891-2734 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">China. . . . . . . 108888-800-527-0218 (North : Beijing, etc) </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">China. . . . . . . 10811-800-527-0218 (South : Shanghai, etc) </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Egypt. . . . 510-0200-1-877-569-4151 (inside Cairo) </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Egypt. . . 02-510-0200-1-877-569-4151 (outside of Cairo) </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Finland. . . . . . . . . . 0800-114402 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">France and Monaco. . . 0800-90-8505 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Germany. . . . . . . . 0800-1-811401 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Greece . . . . . . . 00-800-4412-8821 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hong Kong . . . . . . . . 800-96-4421 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Indonesia. . . . . . 001-803-1471-0621 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Israel . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-941-0172 I</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">taly, Vatican City and San Marino . . 800-877-204 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Japan . . . . . . . . . . 00531-11-4065 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Mexico. . . . . . . . 001-800-101-0061 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Netherlands. . . . . . . 0800-022-8662 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">New Zealand. . . . . . . 0800-44-4053 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Philippines. . . . . . 1-800-1-111-0503 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Portugal. . . . . . . . . . 0800-84-4266 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Republic of Ireland (Eire) . . 1-800-409-529 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Republic of South Africa . . . 0800-9-92379 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Singapore. . . . . . . . . 800-1100-452 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">South Korea . . . . 00798-1-1-004-7101 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Spain and Majorca. . . . 900-98-4467 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Switzerland and Liechtenstein. . . . . 0800-55-6029 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Thailand. . . . . . 001-800-11-471-0661 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Turkey. . . . . . . . 00-800-4491-4834 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">UK and Northern Ireland, Isle of Jersey, the Channel Isles and Isle of Man. . . 0800-252-074 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">United States. . . . . . 1-800-527-0218 </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Canada, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Bermuda MEDEX Assistance Coordination Centers United States. . . . . [1] 410-453-6330 Baltimore, Maryland </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">United Kingdom and England. . [44] 1-273-223000 Brighton, </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Notes:</strong> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">• When a toll free number is not available, travelers are encouraged to call MEDEX collect. The country code precedes the phone number in brackets. The toll free numbers listed are available only when physically calling from within the country. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">• The toll free Israel line is not available from payphones and there is a local access charge. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">• The toll free Italy, Vatican City and San Marinonumbers have a local charge for access. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">• The toll free Japan line is available only from touch-tone phones (including pay phones) equippedfor international dialing. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">• If calling from Mexico on a pay phone, the payphone must be a La Datel pay phone. Global Vilage department : P.O. Box 369 Americus, GA 31709-0369 USA phone: (229) 924-6935, Ext. 2549; (800) 422-4828 in the U.S. or Canada fax: (267) 295-8714 e-mail: gv@habitat.org www.habitat.org/gv 3405/2M/GV/12-06 </span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099452365792878855.post-33772929651245193202009-01-31T00:13:00.001-08:002009-02-26T18:56:38.766-08:00Trip Cancellation Insurance<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As of July 2008, all participants on Global Village teams are covered by a Trip Cancellation Insurance. The cost for this is included in your trip fees. Please read over this policy, below, to make sure it covers everything you need. If not, you may want to consider additional insurance at your own expense. Remember, you already have Travel Medical Insurance thru GV as well. Please read about that policy on this blog at a different posting.<br /></span><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">TERMS OF COVERAGE</span></strong></div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1. The Trip Cancellation Benefit takes effect at 12:01 a.m. the day after the receipt of the appropriate plan cost that covers the full cost of Your Trip.<br /><br />2. The Trip Interruption Benefit takes effect at 12:01 a.m. local time at Your location on the departure date of Your Trip.<br /><br />3. All coverage shall terminate on the earlier of the following dates: (a) Your return to the origination point as specified in the travel tickets; (b) 11:59 p.m. local time at Your location on the date Your Trip is completed.<br /><br />4. If You extend the return dates, all coverage will terminate at 11:59 p.m. local time at Your location on the date originally Scheduled Return Date.<br /><br /><strong>EXTENDED COVERAGE</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">All coverage under the policy will be extended, if: </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">(a) Your entire Trip is covered by the policy; and </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">(b) Your return is delayed by covered reasons specified under Trip Cancellation and Interruption. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If coverage is extended for the above reasons, coverage will end on the earlier of: </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">(a) the date You reach Your return destination; or </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">(b) seven (7) days after the date the Trip was scheduled to be completed. </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Notice to State of Washington Residents:</strong> This is not Your insurance policy. To obtain Your state-specific insurance policy, call 1.800.537.2029. You are entitled to cancel the policy within 14 days of Your purchase date with a full refund provided You have not already departed on Your Trip or filed a claim.<br /><br />Protection plan fees are non-refundable.<br /><br />Plan is designed by: MEDEX Insurance Services.<br />Plan Administrator: MEDEX Insurance Services<br />8501 LaSalle Road, Suite 200<br />Baltimore, MD 21286<br />1.800.537.2029<br /><br />This Insurance, under <strong>policy #AIC-TRVL-P (2/03)</strong> is underwritten by: Arch Insurance Company, with its principal place of business in New York, NY<br /><br />Policy terms and conditions are briefly outlined in this Description of Coverage. Complete provisions pertaining to this insurance are contained in the Master Policy on file with American Group Travel Trust, BankNewport as Trustee. In the event of any conflict between this Description of Coverage and the Master Policy, the Master Policy will govern. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>SCHEDULE OF COVERAGES MAXIMUM BENEFITS </strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>and </strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>SERVICES PER PERSON</strong> </span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Trip Cancellation $5,000<br />Trip Interruption $5,000 </span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption: The Insurer will pay a benefit, up to the maximum shown on the Schedule of Coverages and Services if You are prevented from taking Your covered Trip or continuing on Your covered Trip due to the following Unforeseen events:<br /><br />1. Sickness, Accidental Injury or death of You, Your Traveling Companion, or Your Family Member which results in medically imposed restrictions as certified by a Physician at the time of loss preventing your continued participation in the Trip. A Physician must advise cancellation of the Trip on or before the Scheduled Departure Date<br /><br />2. Strike that causes complete cessation of services for at least 48 consecutive hours;<br /><br />3. Weather which causes complete cessation of services of Your Common Carrier for at least 48 consecutive hours;<br /><br />4. You or Your Traveling Companion are terminated or laid off from employment subject to three years of continuous employment at the place of employment where terminated;<br /><br />5. You or Your Traveling Companion are hijacked, quarantined, required to serve on a jury, required to appear as a witness in a legal action, provided You or a Traveling Companion is not a party to the legal action or appearing as a law enforcement officer, subpoenaed, the victim of felonious assault within 10 days of departure; or having Your or Your Traveling Companion’s principal place of residence made uninhabitable by fire, flood, or other Natural Disaster; or burglary of Your principal place of residence within 10 days of departure; </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">6. If within 30 days of Your departure the United States government issues a travel advisory indicating that Americans should not travel to a destination named on the itinerary. The travel advisory must occur after the Effective Date of Your trip cancellation coverage; 7. You or Your Traveling Companion who are military personnel, and are called to emergency duty for a disaster other than war; 8. You or Your Traveling Companion being directly involved in a traffic Accident substantiated by a police report, while en route to departure. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>You Must: Contact MEDEX as soon as You know the Trip is going to be canceled or interrupted. Failure to do so may affect coverage.<br /></strong><br /><strong>Trip Cancellation:</strong> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">non-refundable cancellation charges imposed by Your Travel Supplier and/or airfare cancellation charges for flights joining or departing Your Land/Sea Arrangements; or the additional costs You may incur as a result of a change in the per-person occupancy rate of prepaid travel arrangements if a person booked to share accommodations with You cancels his/her Trip for a covered reason and You do not cancel.<br /><br /><strong>Trip Interruption</strong>:</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">unused, non-refundable land or sea expenses prepaid to Travel Supplier and/or the airfare paid, to return home or rejoin the original Land/Sea Arrangements (limited to the cost of one-way Economy Fare by scheduled carrier, from the point of destination to the point of origin shown on the original travel tickets) less the value of applied credit from an unused return travel ticket.<br /><br />In no event shall the amount reimbursed exceed the lesser of the amount You pre-paid for Your Trip, or the maximum benefit shown on the Schedule of Coverage and Services.<br /><br /><strong>EXCESS INSURANCE PROVISION</strong><br />This coverage is secondary to any coverage provided by a Common Carrier and all other valid and collectible insurance indemnity and shall apply only when such other benefits are exhausted.<br /><br /><strong>EXCLUSIONS</strong><br />The following exclusions apply. This plan does not cover any loss caused by or resulting from:<br />1) Suicide, attempted suicide, or any intentionally self-inflicted Injury while sane or insane committed by You or Your Traveling Companion;<br />2) War, invasion, acts of foreign enemies, hostilities between nations (whether declared or not), civil war;<br />3) Participation in any military maneuver or training exercise;<br />4) Participating in bodily contact sports; skydiving; hang gliding; parachuting; mountaineering; any race; bungee cord jumping; scuba diving, and speed contest;<br />5) Participation as a professional in athletics;<br />6) Piloting or learning to pilot or acting as a member of the crew of any aircraft;<br />7) Being under the influence of drugs or intoxicants unless prescribed by a Physician;<br />8) Commission or the attempt to commit a criminal act by You or Your Traveling Companion.<br />9) Pregnancy and childbirth (except for Complications of Pregnancy)<br />10) Dental treatment except as a result of Accidental Injury to sound, natural teeth within twelve (12) months of the Accidental Injury;<br />11) Mental or emotional disorders, unless hospitalized.<br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>DEFINITIONS<br /></strong>1) “Accident” means a sudden, unexpected, unusual, specific event, which occurs at an identifiable time and place, but shall also include exposure resulting from a mishap to a conveyance in which You are traveling.<br />2) “Accidental Injury” means Bodily Injury caused by an Accident (of external origin) being the direct and independent cause in the loss.<br />3) “Bodily Injury” means identifiable physical Injury which:<br />(a) is caused by an Accident, and<br />(b) solely and independently of any other cause, except illness resulting from, or medical or surgical treatment rendered necessary by such Injury, is the direct cause of death or dismemberment of You within twelve months from the date of the Accident.<br />4) “Common Carrier” means any land, sea, and/or air conveyance operating under a license for the transportation of passengers for hire.<br />5) “Complication of Pregnancy” means a condition whose diagnosis is distinct from pregnancy but is adversely affected or caused by pregnancy.<br />6) “Economy Fare” means the lowest published rate for a one-way ticket.<br />7) “Effective Date” means the date and time Your coverage begins.<br />8) “Family Member” means You or Your Traveling Companion’s legal spouse, parent, legal guardian, stepparent, grandparent, parents-in-law, grandchild, natural or adopted child, stepchild, children-in-law, ward, brother, sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew.<br />9) “Injury” means Bodily Injury caused by an Accident occurring while this policy is in force and resulting directly and independently of all other causes in loss covered by the policy. The Injury must be verified by a Physician.<br />10) “The Insurer” means Arch Insurance Company.<br />11) “Land/Sea Arrangements” means land and/or sea arrangements booked through the Travel Supplier.<br />12) “Natural Disaster” means flood, fire, hurricane, tornado, earthquake, volcanic eruption, blizzard or avalanche that is due to natural causes.<br />13) “Physician” means a licensed practitioner of medical, surgical, or dental services acting within the scope of his/her license. The treating Physician may not be Yourself, a Traveling Companion, or a Family Member.<br />14) “Scheduled Departure Date” means the date on which You are originally scheduled to leave on the Trip.<br />15) “Scheduled Return Date” means the date on which You are originally scheduled to return to the point of origin or to a different final destination.<br />16) “Sickness” means illness or disease which is diagnosed and treated by a Physician on or after the Effective Date of the protection plan and while You are covered under this plan.<br />17) “Strike” means any unannounced labor disagreement that interferes with the normal departure and arrival of a Common Carrier<br />18) “Terrorist Attack” means an incident deemed an act of terrorism by the U.S. government.<br />19) “Travel Supplier” means tour operator, cruise line, hotel, etc., who has made the land and/or sea arrangements.<br />20) “Traveling Companion” means a person who is sharing travel arrangements with You to a maximum of 4 persons including You.<br />Companion unless You are sharing room accommodations with the group or tour leader.<br />21) “Trip” means prepaid land/sea arrangements and shall include flight connections to join and depart such land/sea arrangements<br />22) "Unforeseen" means not anticipated or expected and occurring after the Effective Date of the policy.<br />23) “You,” “Your,” or “the Insured” means a person who has purchased a Trip and who has paid the required plan cost for the protection plan provided herein.<br /><br /><strong>CLAIMS PROCEDURE</strong><br />To facilitate prompt claims settlement:<br /><br /><strong>TRIP CANCELLATION CLAIMS</strong> </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">IMMEDIATELY Call Travel Supplier and the Claims Administrator to report Your cancellation and avoid non-covered expenses due to late reporting. The Claims Administrator will then advise You on how to obtain the appropriate form to be completed by You and the attending Physician.<br /><br /><strong>INTERRUPTION</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Obtain medical statements from the doctors in attendance in the country where Sickness or Accident occurred. These statements should give complete diagnosis, stating that the Sickness or Accident prevented traveling on dates contracted. Provide all unused transportation tickets, official receipts, etc.<br /><br />To obtain claim forms and any additional information on how to report a claim, call or write the plan administrator and refer to the Habitat for Humanity Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Program.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span><br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099452365792878855.post-19993839292345132092009-01-31T00:12:00.002-08:002009-02-11T00:05:54.724-08:00Accommodations, Meals, Transportation, & Communications<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLM7dcqXl0lm1k3IO_r7YC6g0mjweNo3xpPQphfW7Ivz1ozbncTG1Nk4z1ht5KaZdSQMOOw4oRB1FDM3acQPrgIBJPyeehyphenhyphenK6zvl-_DeEM59YKz3nXEMhngxWiMhtkp9J0-1CCTMtnvUM/s1600-h/IMG_3997.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301447643962954818" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLM7dcqXl0lm1k3IO_r7YC6g0mjweNo3xpPQphfW7Ivz1ozbncTG1Nk4z1ht5KaZdSQMOOw4oRB1FDM3acQPrgIBJPyeehyphenhyphenK6zvl-_DeEM59YKz3nXEMhngxWiMhtkp9J0-1CCTMtnvUM/s320/IMG_3997.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The teams will be living and working in the village of Massaca, a few hours away from the capital city of Maputo. There we will be staying in the Spanish Mission, courtesy of the Catholic Church (picture is of some of the rooms we used last year). Each room will accommodate 2-6 people. Most beds have mattresses, but a few people may need to sleep on mattresses on the floor. Bed linens are provided as well as mosquito netting for all the beds and mattresses on the floor. The showers are cold water only. There are also flush toilets. It is necessary that everyone bring their own towel for showering. We will have breakfast and evening meals at the Spanish Mission, and that is also where we will have our evening meetings, social interactions, and relaxation. Our lunch will be in the village where we will be working. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Meals are simple, but nutritious, and last year's team found them to satisfying. There is little variety from day to day. Sometimes team members bring along their own snacks (peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, etc) that can be eaten in the privacy of their own rooms to supplement meals if necessary. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We will be transported from Maputo to Massaca, as well as each day from the mission houses to the work site, a short distance away, by a van-for-hire, to the standards of the country (no seat belts, no AC, and crowded).</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In Mozambique, especially in Maputo City, there are a good number of internet cafes with reasonably fast connections. Prices range from $ 1.5 – $2 per hour. It is possible to make international phone calls from phone booths with the TDM phone centers around the country where you can also buy cards. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For emergencies, when in the village, you can also use our provided team leader cell phone to make and receive calls, using our local mobile services providers (Mcell and Vodacom), by purchasing a phone card (SIM) which is around $12. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099452365792878855.post-8693456952034055622009-01-31T00:12:00.001-08:002009-02-11T01:01:59.301-08:00The Construction ProcessThe construction of these homes is quite simple. The Habitat construction staff is divided into three groups for each house: foundation, walls, and roof. There is at least one "master builder" for each group, along with a young apprentice. Our tea<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrbMtykvHIx9HkSCwetb97KqRQ9Lrh7WUPhE2boGKxjRPcVH4_rwka6FD2NUztzYFTziXmF7WgiC7Fr-VZEi6LsU93k-_I3NTyNZjQQvwudxnCOYOtbousZdtQaFPp2Jr48t8y7HYJUo/s1600-h/Chris+No.+3+MOZ+136.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301452730070603506" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibrbMtykvHIx9HkSCwetb97KqRQ9Lrh7WUPhE2boGKxjRPcVH4_rwka6FD2NUztzYFTziXmF7WgiC7Fr-VZEi6LsU93k-_I3NTyNZjQQvwudxnCOYOtbousZdtQaFPp2Jr48t8y7HYJUo/s320/Chris+No.+3+MOZ+136.JPG" border="0" /></a>m is divided up each morning to join one of these groups. There may be several foundations, walls, and/or roofs being worked on in any one day. The skills required are taught by the "master builder", usually through model<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Bu7I_NhpC9xaKOJUyKncJMg52Adt5Hlw4v94k3SMHelKBGnJWxqO-6Uqnhd1YEhyGuJ7soZm63jllaYB7tj0kUHqNWg1pMjQFhkRZL7tyt7LLMAJEfipJ69ASmv77ylaZj5l2_Punrw/s1600-h/IMG_4041.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301460073945930722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Bu7I_NhpC9xaKOJUyKncJMg52Adt5Hlw4v94k3SMHelKBGnJWxqO-6Uqnhd1YEhyGuJ7soZm63jllaYB7tj0kUHqNWg1pMjQFhkRZL7tyt7LLMAJEfipJ69ASmv77ylaZj5l2_Punrw/s320/IMG_4041.JPG" border="0" /></a>ing. Each process is labor intensive, requiring hauling rocks, compacting the foundation, mixing mortar in a pit on the ground, sawing posts and reeds, wire tying, etc. All this is done by hand with the few tools available. Other than that, hard work and patience are the only things needed of you. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKiZd-gEzyfsTZCZJ7l9ulWZ3l19JuBGq0TXREjuZm2ZCH8bvG39AVu4v_KaWW6J2zf3mKgcAurxvcd5BBETZzXq0CeNuNyaKBIrxHgWL4S_BcAWIXtZ119HWP0FT_jKM2hP5zybkNb8/s1600-h/IMG_4039-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301460069055524978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAKiZd-gEzyfsTZCZJ7l9ulWZ3l19JuBGq0TXREjuZm2ZCH8bvG39AVu4v_KaWW6J2zf3mKgcAurxvcd5BBETZzXq0CeNuNyaKBIrxHgWL4S_BcAWIXtZ119HWP0FT_jKM2hP5zybkNb8/s320/IMG_4039-1.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301454673757044578" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMU-6KeBnAUEI6VVTltWAGml4aB5k0WuS_bg16ICETNxUeRYhIMrcVMJbOA79odJAXFDC0usHl-0Wqu6p9nHqXg_mOiTqaNXzUUZU84BqLYL1xmNZ-U2dNwEg16lx5QEtXRNNHmi026Y/s320/Chris+No.+3+MOZ+012.JPG" border="0" /><br />Last year, our team of 16 was able to nearly complete 16 houses in 8 days (the wooden doors had not been made, nor the latrines dug, which are both necessary for the house to be considered complete). These 16 houses became homes for 16 women (mothers, caregivers) and 80 children. Quite remarkable for just 8 days!!<br /><br />The pictures above demonstrate parts of the processes. Also included in the pictures below is a white plastic "teepee" which was the only home one mother with three children had. Another picture shows a completed home next to the former home of mud, plastic, sticks and scrap metal pieces.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZzvDBdJaqRLkUV8vZfFY8RybIhRRq6mTpAzLBlHHZfo22bg-XCpkIPHCGS8rxsaPuiKFJoW26oyOC0Q3UWP1gv-gSRNtyndnp-Alt0IDGF9tMETXuISP6f01QBK4QS2iX6gDX1VHdWY/s1600-h/IMG_4131.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301456759211187490" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZzvDBdJaqRLkUV8vZfFY8RybIhRRq6mTpAzLBlHHZfo22bg-XCpkIPHCGS8rxsaPuiKFJoW26oyOC0Q3UWP1gv-gSRNtyndnp-Alt0IDGF9tMETXuISP6f01QBK4QS2iX6gDX1VHdWY/s320/IMG_4131.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5M5P1gp3jF9f4JEgY4HVJhvJz4-Jxte97jdOc_DLnt8-noxgrlgcc4nkVQXSJAYa5iM7HZvMUVGYwMcdUKkbuSXakCS6Xbo85rbJkx4tGJnkiSlUpieWTPb-tA9Dhhl5AHuGoC4zZ8U/s1600-h/IMG_4044.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301456753225936098" style="WIDTH: 265px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 198px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5M5P1gp3jF9f4JEgY4HVJhvJz4-Jxte97jdOc_DLnt8-noxgrlgcc4nkVQXSJAYa5iM7HZvMUVGYwMcdUKkbuSXakCS6Xbo85rbJkx4tGJnkiSlUpieWTPb-tA9Dhhl5AHuGoC4zZ8U/s320/IMG_4044.JPG" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099452365792878855.post-11187957301863701552009-01-31T00:11:00.000-08:002009-02-01T23:06:06.328-08:00With Whom We Work - The Local Apprentices and Builders<div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Global Village team will be working on houses for the Orphan's and Vulnerable Children's Program (OVC) in Mozambique (more info about the OVC program is presented on other posts to this blog). When volunteers are not present, building still continues on a daily basis. Those who supervise volunteers as well as carry-out these tasks the rest of the time are the local OVC apprentices and builders. Here is an opportunity to meet some of them. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Apprentices </strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The apprentices are young builders and they themselves live in a HFHI‐MZ built home. Each apprentice is paid 200mtn per house and focuses on one of three parts of the build: walls, roof, or foundation. Fernando Raul Fernando is a 16 year old OVC apprentice who has been working with Habitat for Humanity Mozambique (HFHI‐MZ) since July 2007. He builds houses in the morning and attends school in the afternoons. An OVC himself, Fernando lives in a house built by HFHI‐MZ with his mother and grandmother. Previously, the family home lacked security and leaked when it rained causing much hardship and discomfort. The apprenticeship has been a life changing experience for Fernando who explained, “I like it a lot. I’m learning many new skills.” Fernando focuses on constructing the walls, but has learned the whole house building process. With his wages Fernando supports his family buying food and clothes. Fernando remarked he wants to build more houses to reach more people and help more families. He is thankful for the experience and feels that the skills he is learning now will help him in the future. Furthermore, Fernando is able to maintain his own house and contributes greatly to his family’s well‐being and livelihood. </span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihn-ovH_3ZpDRLaLIoZ2MQgemAsLw_s3aHEcE9W9C5ThxiJWv99avPX4xXiJvqYmUr3F2_pZFAFXCA7Z-xkZA5Zr-HdEJRFwvnJawp67D8_1YVLk6YGE6R6seK3g6Y7qBEHG2dOHVocL0/s1600-h/Isidro.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298092126860490802" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 179px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihn-ovH_3ZpDRLaLIoZ2MQgemAsLw_s3aHEcE9W9C5ThxiJWv99avPX4xXiJvqYmUr3F2_pZFAFXCA7Z-xkZA5Zr-HdEJRFwvnJawp67D8_1YVLk6YGE6R6seK3g6Y7qBEHG2dOHVocL0/s320/Isidro.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">There are several other apprentices with similar stories. The picture is of Isidro, a 15 year old apprentice, that worked with last year's team. His wages support his dying mother, and three brothers. Isidro helps build foundations for other children and their caregivers, cares for his own brothers and mother, and attends school at night.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Builders </strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">HFHI-MZ builders are local tradesmen who are employed to solely build OVC houses. Earning 400mtn per house, each builder specializes in one of three parts: foundation, walls or roof, and are also responsible for mentoring and training the OVC apprentices. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Lourenço Mangue has been a builder for HFHI‐MZ since April 2007. Specializing in foundations and mixing cement, he is currently mentoring Joal, an OVC apprentice. Lourenço enjoys building houses with HFHI‐MZ and remarked, “This project has a big impact. Habitat is building houses for families in need and they’re helping the community by building houses for kids without parents and people who are sick.” Before he started working with HFHI‐MZ, Lourenço used to build houses on a contract basis in the community. However, working for HFHI‐MZ has increased his income which he uses to support his family of seven children. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Mario Muangua has been a builder for HFHI‐MZ since April 2007 and his specialty is creating the house walls. Mario enjoys the work he does commenting, “I like building houses knowing that I’m helping people.” Mario also mentors OVC apprentice builder Fernando. Since Fernando began his apprenticeship in July, 2007, Mario has taught and supervised his work on the walls. For Mario, building for HFHI‐MZ is more than just a job. “Habitat is helping people and vulnerable kids in an area which helps the community.” Mario’s salary helps him support his wife and twelve children as well as build his own house.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099452365792878855.post-21856009909670530342009-01-31T00:10:00.000-08:002009-02-01T22:49:20.985-08:00Do's and Don'ts - Being Culturally Sensitive<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Mozambique is less traditional and conservative than its neighbors Swaziland, and South Africa, but it may be useful to consider a few things whilst traveling: </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">· Gift Giving/ Receiving - When giving a gift it is courteous to hand it to the person with your right hand and to receive a gift with both hands. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">· Taking pictures – Because of many tourists, journalists and photographers taking pictures to use for profit, people have occasionally started acting aggressively towards people who take their pictures without asking them beforehand. Do please ask permission if you can take a picture of them beforehand to avoid problems. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">· Buying things at the Markets - Be aware that you will probably be asked to pay more for goods than the locals, so it’s always good to learn how to say NO, and always negotiate and not accept the first price. Negotiate with a smile and positive attitude…getting upset will make things more difficult. Remember, you are a visitor to a country much different from your own. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">· Pointing fingers- It is considered bad manners to point at someone. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">· Stretching and yawning- It’s considered disrespectful to stretch yourself in front of people and yawning with your mouth open. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099452365792878855.post-68815531499394974182009-01-31T00:08:00.001-08:002009-02-23T21:55:54.689-08:00The Flag of Mozambique<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwx89lMAs7oYf0w5noBJCHGbmEltrXIDZONQFDAmjM4NjVMIgQElNYTtZSgpb0abAWruhAEfi5OqtqnF4YwCBhjReZtq2YJz1LNGii7YaPuYVcNzxC8vSuQ4zlsoB5gbFJ9fDUuDP8p1A/s1600-h/250px-Flag_of_Mozambique_svg.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306237192827995650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 167px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwx89lMAs7oYf0w5noBJCHGbmEltrXIDZONQFDAmjM4NjVMIgQElNYTtZSgpb0abAWruhAEfi5OqtqnF4YwCBhjReZtq2YJz1LNGii7YaPuYVcNzxC8vSuQ4zlsoB5gbFJ9fDUuDP8p1A/s320/250px-Flag_of_Mozambique_svg.png" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The flag of Mozambique</span><a title="Mozambique" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozambique"></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> was adopted on May 1, 1983.<br />It includes the image of an AK-47 and is the only national flag in the world to feature such a modern rifle.The flag is based on the flag of the Mozambican Liberation Front (FRELIMO). The FRELIMO flag, used for a brief period after the country gained its independence from Portugal, looks like the current flag but lacking the emblem.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Flag symbolism</span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Green: The riches of the soil; </span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Black: The African continent; </span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yellow: The mineral riches; </span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">White: The peace; </span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Red: The country’s struggle for independence<br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The Emblem:</span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yellow star: The solidarity of the people and the socialistic beliefs of the country; </span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Book: Education; </span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hoe: Peasants and agriculture; </span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">AK47:The nation’s determination to protect its freedom</span><a id="New_flag.3F" name="New_flag.3F"></a></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A New flag?</span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In 2005, a competition was held to design a new flag for Mozambique. 119 entries were received and a winning flag was selected, but to this day the flag remains the same. This came in the context of a drive to create a new crest and anthem for the country. Mozambique's parlimentary opposition would specifically like to see removed from the flag the image of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, which symbolizes the nation's struggle for independence, according to press reports. This drive to change these national symbols has met great resistance from public opinion.The proposition of a new flag was rejected by the FRELIMO-dominated parliament in December 2005. 169 proposed flags were turned down, including the current flag without the rifle.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099452365792878855.post-21807253219680351632009-01-31T00:04:00.003-08:002009-02-23T20:29:24.271-08:00Mozambique Currency<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The local currency is the Metical; these notes come in 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 denominations. In Maputo it is possible to use US$ and further south South African Rands are also commonly accepted. For up to date currency exchange rates look at </span><a href="http://www.xe.com/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">www.xe.com</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. Credit cards such as VISA and MASTERCARD are widely accepted in shops and restaurants especially in major cities and ATM’s are also abundant. It is NOT advisable to bring travelers cheques as they are not widely accepted and difficult to cash.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099452365792878855.post-31225610532928787882009-01-31T00:04:00.001-08:002009-02-23T20:48:55.838-08:00The People of Mozambique<div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">THE PEOPLE</span></strong> </span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />Mozambique's major ethnic groups encompass numerous subgroups with diverse languages, dialects, cultures, and histories. Many are linked to similar ethnic groups living in neighboring countries. The north-central provinces of Zambezia and Nampula are the most populous, with about 45% of the population. The estimated 4 million Makua are the dominant group in the northern part of the country--the Sena and Ndau are prominent in the Zambezi valley, and the Tsonga and Shangaan dominate in southern Mozambique.<br /><br />Despite the influence of Islamic coastal traders and European colonizers, the people of Mozambique have largely retained an indigenous culture based on small-scale agriculture. Mozambique's most highly developed art forms have been wood sculpture, for which the Makonde in northern Mozambique are particularly renowned, and dance. The middle and upper classes continue to be heavily influenced by the Portuguese colonial and linguistic heritage.<br /><br />During the colonial era, Christian missionaries were active in Mozambique, and many foreign clergy remain in the country. According to the national census, about 40% of the population is Christian, at least 20% is Muslim, and the remainder adheres to traditional beliefs.<br /><br />Under the colonial regime, educational opportunities for black Mozambicans were limited, and 93% of that population was illiterate. In fact, most of today's political leaders were educated in missionary schools. After independence, the government placed a high priority on expanding education, which reduced the illiteracy rate to about two-thirds as primary school enrollment increased. Unfortunately, in recent years school construction and teacher training enrollments have not kept up with population increases. With post-war enrollments reaching all-time highs, the quality of education has suffered.<br /><br />Nationality: Noun and adjective--Mozambican(s).<br />Population (2006 est.): 19.7 million;<br />48.2% male and 51.8% female.<br />Population annual growth rate (2006): 1.3%.<br />Ethnic groups: Makua, Tsonga, Makonde, Shangaan, Shona, Sena, Ndau, and other indigenous groups, and approximately 10,000 Europeans, 35,000 Euro-Africans, and 15,000 South Asians.<br />Religions: Christian 45%, Muslim 20%, indigenous African and other beliefs 35%.<br />Languages: Portuguese (official), various indigenous languages.<br />Education: Mean years of schooling (adults over 25): men 2.1, women 1.2.<br />Primary net enrolment rate (2003)--61%.<br />Adult illiteracy rate (2003)--53.6%.<br />Health: Infant mortality rate (2006)--129/1,000. Life expectancy (2006)--40 years.<br />Work force (9.4 million est. 2006): Agriculture--81%; industry--6%; services--13% (1997 estimate).</span><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099452365792878855.post-73295246367514799772009-01-31T00:03:00.001-08:002009-02-23T20:52:37.357-08:00The Geography<div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><strong>THE GEOGRAPHY </strong></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Location: Southern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Comparative size: slightly less than twice the size of California </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Land boundaries: total 4,571 km, Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland 105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">International disputes: none </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Climate: tropical to subtropical </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Terrain: mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Natural resources: coal, titanium </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Land use: arable land: 4% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 56% forest and woodland: 20% other: 20% </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Irrigated land: 1,150 sq km (1989 est.) </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Environmental current issues: civil strife and recurrent drought in the hinterlands have resulted in increased migration to urban and coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences; desertification; pollution of surface and coastal waters </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Natural hazards: severe droughts and floods occur in central and southern provinces; devastating cyclones </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099452365792878855.post-35372975273813356892009-01-31T00:02:00.004-08:002009-02-23T21:35:12.702-08:00Map of Mozambique and "Fast Facts"<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306224601992390210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 255px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 415px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCm6pa_3d51jF6TSq9QfL-3-tYsc2BpJTkadj8-iGLVAI9U0aEMD22FWxpmC7Ozphev23rg6w_v5Oz4GCV42rNVpOb9D5Pklx6vaWZmViYT7bS9z93BWBSNZUt1Zp_HdjGQ8WO9BiOdd4/s400/mozambique_pol95.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">FAST FACTS</span></strong></span></strong><br /><strong></strong><strong></strong><br /><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Country Full Name: Republic of Mozambique</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">National Capital: Maputo</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Population: 20.4 Million inhabitants (as of 2007)</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Currency Name: Metical (Mtn)</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Languages Spoken Official: Portuguese</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Time Zones: GMT/UTC + 2</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span> </p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span> </p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span> </p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span> </p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Country Dialing Code: +258</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Weights & Measures: Metric </span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Located in southeastern Africa, bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Climate: tropical to subtropical</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Terrain: mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Natural resources: coal, titanium, natural gas, hydropower, tantalum, graphite</span></p><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Natural hazards: severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods occur in central and southern provinces </p></span><p><br /></p><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4099452365792878855.post-57269611457317155162009-01-31T00:02:00.003-08:002009-02-23T21:47:58.841-08:00Mozambique Economy<div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">THE ECONOMY</span></strong> </span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Macroeconomic Review</strong> </span></div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Alleviating poverty</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">At the end of the civil war in 1992, Mozambique ranked among the poorest countries in the world. It still ranks among the least developed nations with very low socioeconomic indicators. In the last decade, however, Mozambique has experienced a notable economic recovery. Per capita GDP in 2006 was estimated at U.S. $320, a significant increase over the mid-1980s level of U.S. $120. With high foreign debt and a good track record on economic reform, Mozambique was the first African nation and sixth country worldwide to qualify for debt relief under the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) initial HIPC (Heavily Indebted Poor Countries) Initiative. In April 2000, Mozambique qualified for the Enhanced HIPC program and reached its completion point in September 2001. This led to the Paris Club members agreeing in November 2001 to substantially reduce the remaining bilateral debt, resulting in the complete forgiveness of a considerable volume of bilateral debt. The United States already finished the process and has forgiven Mozambique's debt. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">During their summit in Scotland in July 2005, the G8 nations agreed to significant multilateral debt relief for the world's least developed nations. On December 21, 2005, the IMF formalized the complete cancellation of all Mozambican IMF debt contracted prior to January 1, 2005, worth U.S. $153 million. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Rebounding growth</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The resettlement of civil war refugees, political stability and continuing economic reforms have led to a high economic growth rate. Between 1994 and 2006, average annual GDP growth was approximately 8%. Mozambique achieved this growth rate even though the devastating floods of 2000 slowed GDP growth to 2.1%. The World Bank is predicting average growth of 7% through 2008. Future strong expansion requires continued economic reforms, major foreign direct investment, and the resurrection of the agriculture, transportation and tourism sectors. Focusing on economic growth in the agricultural sector is a major challenge for the government. Although more than 80% of the population engages in small-scale agriculture, the sector suffers from inadequate infrastructure, commercial networks and investment. However a majority of Mozambique's arable land is still uncultivated, leaving room for considerable growth. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Low inflation</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The government's tight control of spending and the money supply, combined with financial sector reform, successfully reduced inflation from 70% in 1994 to less than 5% in 1998-1999. Economic disruptions resulting from the devastating floods of 2000 caused inflation to jump to 12.7% that year. The government is still working to bring inflation down to those lower numbers. In 2004 inflation was 9.1%; in 2005 it climbed to 11.2%; in 2006 it dropped back down to 9.4%. As of March 2007, the floating exchange rate was approximately 26 meticais per dollar. (Note: In July 2006 the government revised its currency, dropping three zeros. Thus a coin formerly worth 1,000 meticais was from then on worth only one metical. And thus, where a dollar previously had been worth, for example, 26,000 meticais, it was from July onward worth 26.) </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Extensive economic reform</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Economic reform has been extensive. More than 1,200 state-owned enterprises (mostly small) have been privatized. Preparations for privatization and/or sector liberalization are underway for the remaining parastatals, including telecommunications, electricity, ports, and the railroads. The government frequently selects a strategic foreign investor when privatizing a parastatal. Additionally, customs duties have been reduced, and customs management has been streamlined and reformed. The government introduced a value-added tax in 1999 as part of its efforts to increase domestic revenues. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Improving trade imbalance</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In 2006 Mozambique exported U.S. $2.43 billion worth of goods and imported U.S. $2.82 billion worth of goods. Support programs provided by foreign donors and private financing of foreign direct investment mega-projects and their associated raw materials have largely compensated for balance-of-payment shortfalls. The medium-term outlook for exports is encouraging, as a number of recent foreign investment projects have improved the trade balance. This export growth is expected to continue. MOZAL I, a large aluminum smelter that commenced production in mid-2000, greatly expanded Mozambique's trade volume. In April 2001, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) approved financing assistance for MOZAL II, which doubled overall production capacity. Phase two went online in April 2003, five months ahead of schedule, using primarily Mozambican workers during construction. Traditional Mozambican exports include cashews, shrimp, fish, copra, sugar, cotton, tea and citrus and exotic fruits. Most of these industries are being rehabilitated. In addition, Mozambique is less dependent upon imports for basic food and manufactured goods as the result of steady increases in local production. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>SADC trade protocol</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In December 1999, the Mozambican Council of Ministers approved the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Trade Protocol. The Protocol will create a free trade zone among more than 200 million consumers in the SADC region. Implementation of the Protocol began in 2002 and has an overall zero-tariff target set for 2008; however, Mozambique's country-specific zero-tariff goal is currently 2015. Mozambique joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) on August 26, 1995. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">GDP (2006): $6.4 billion. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Annual economic (GDP) growth rate (2006): 7.9%.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Per capita gross domestic product (2006): $320.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Natural resources: Hydroelectric power, coal, natural gas, titanium ore, tantalite, graphite, iron ore, semi-precious stones, and arable land.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Agriculture (21% of GDP; annual growth 7.9%): Exports--cotton, cashew nuts, sugarcane, tea, cassava (tapioca), corn, coconuts, sisal, citrus and tropical fruits, potatoes, sunflowers, beef and poultry. Domestically consumed food crops--corn, pigeon peas, cassava, rice, beef, pork, chicken, and goat.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Industry (31% of GDP; annual growth 10%): Types--food, beverages, chemicals (fertilizer, soap, paints), aluminum, petroleum products, textiles, cement, glass, asbestos, and tobacco.Services (39.7% of GDP; annual growth 4.7%).</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Trade: Imports (2006)--$2.82 billion. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Import commodities--machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, chemicals, metal products, foodstuffs and textiles. Main suppliers--South Africa, Netherlands, Portugal. Exports (2006)--$2.43 billion. Export commodities--aluminum, cashews, prawns, cotton, sugar, citrus, timber, bulk electricity, natural gas. Main markets--Belgium, South Africa, Zimbabwe. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0