Habitat for Humaity Report

by Emily Kingston

Click here for photo gallery

The 15 of us set off on our 2 weeks building homes in Zambia.  Arriving into Lusaka the team met with co-ordinator Saka Yoyo ( later to be known as wonky yoyo). The team had a briefing on our trip, we had opportunity to learn a bit of the language and culture in the community.  We were the first group to go into the community of Ndola with Habitat. And preparations and houses had already started to grow.


We arrived at Chipulukuzu after a 7 hour journey on Saturday 23rd. It was half 6 when we arrived and already pitch dark. We met with some of the builders and ladies who would all look after us during our build. The team were welcomed to two houses, girls and boys and we were left to set up mosquito nets and the likes.


The first morning everyone who would be helping on site was greeted and we heard from the hopeful homeowners of their stories and how they applied for a house. Lungu was the man of one house we would build and he was waiting since 2008 to receive a home and Beatrice who would own the second house had been waiting just the same.

Building started immediately, the team was split between the two and the work began.


Our working hours were from 8-4 and we worked in 35 degree dry heat in the afternoons. After work everyone would gather water from the well to have a shower. During our breaks we would play with all the children in the community, soccer was a huge game out there and the community burnt out one of their fields so we could have an official Ireland v Zambia game after work.  The young  girls loved to play with skipping ropes brought out and taught us some of their games and songs too.


After the first week, the team had one day for R&R, the team left early morning and travelled to their Safari. Some went fishing in the morning and caught fish half the size of themselves. Which we later snacked on before tea, while the others went on game drive spotting Lions and cheetah and many more. Late evening half went on boat trip with elephants and hippos in sight while the others adventured to their game drive.


Back to work on the Tuesday morning and pressure was on to finish the build. The lintels were going in and soon the  gables were up. Hard grafting was done as it was all manual labour; mixing cement and carrying bricks, everyone worked so hard during our time.


It all paid off, Thursday came and work  was finished at 2. Everyone washed up and got ready for the handing over ceremony. This was beautiful all the community gathered together we sang and danced with the women and the local kids had drama performances as well as traditional dances. There was a member of government present who acknowledged the work being done by the charity.  The home owners were presented with the houses and pictures of the team. We were also presented with certificates. The whole day was amazing, Lindsay Sweeney made a beautiful speech to the people thanking them for everything done for us and that night we along with the builders and ladies who helped us during the week sat down for our last meal together.

 

Leaving the community was very difficult and many friends were made, that will never be forgotten. Hard to say goodbye to the people but we came away proud of our achievement. A whole years of fundraising and hard work behind us and great support from school families and friends was all worth it. Two families who moved into their homes on Wednesday 11th may are very happy and were grateful to the school and team for helping them