On January 23rd, 14 Habitat constituents from Portland, including staff and board members, and 2 members of Habitat Boston’s staff traveled to Fiche, Ethiopia to build homes and community toilets in partnership with Ethiopian families. Tasks included digging a 6 foot deep pit that will become the septic tank for a sanitation facility, hauling rocks, dirt and cement that will become foundations for homes, and mason work on the walls of homes.
While the physical labor was rewarding, meeting and connecting to the local community and Habitat beneficiaries moving into the homes was even more powerful. The majority of Ethiopian families live on less than 2 dollars a day, making essential human needs like adequate shelter, water and a clean place to use the bathroom out of reach.
When finished, the community in Fiche will include 40 homes for local families who are in desperate need of safe affordable places to call home. Many of these families have members with disabilities, making adequate housing even more urgent.
To learn more about Global Village opportunities with Habitat for Humanity, click here.