If you are looking for a 2017 resolution as impressive as Sydney Harbour fireworks, pledge to volunteer for the City Of Sydney’s Sydney New Year’s Eve charity partner, Habitat For Humanity Australia.
Habitat For Humanity Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that has supported more than 6.8 million people by creating safe & decent housing in Australia & overseas. The organisation has also furnished inner city social housing units.
“Earlier this year, Habitat For Humanity Australia worked with community volunteers & corporate supporters to provide new furniture for 10 inner city social housing units” Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, said.
“This kind of practical assistance helps some of the most vulnerable people in our community build a stable & secure home – the basis for positive life change”
“I encourage everyone who feels inspired by the Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks to make their New Year’s resolution a pledge to volunteer their time & help people who are less fortunate”
Habitat For Humanity Australia offers volunteering opportunities across the country to help disadvantaged Australians find their feet. Its Global Village initiative bands volunteers together to build a home for families in need overseas.
“Habitat offers a practical way for Australian volunteers to travel & build alongside families in desperate need to build a home” said Martin Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of Habitat For Humanity Australia.
“The charity has built, rehabilitated & repaired almost 1 million homes, inspired by the positive change adequate housing provides for people living in poverty”
“It is a direct & powerful way to see the impact a home has on families & we are hoping more Australians will make the resolution to volunteer & help those less fortunate in the new year” Mr Thomas said.
Glebe resident, Svetlana Zhukova, this year travelled to the outskirts of Phnom Penh in Cambodia with Habitat For Humanity Australia on a week-long expedition.
“This experience gave me an incredible sense of accomplishment – I know the brick walls we laid will protect this family & will help them build a better life” said Ms Zhukova.
The hand-up – rather than a handout – approach, allows people struggling with housing issues to focus on health & education rather than mere survival, building better lives & stronger communities.
“Our group of 8 came from such different walks of life from across Australia but we became 1 amazing team that shared long days, sweat, tired laughter & cold coconuts – and built a house in 5 short days” Ms Zhukova said.
1 lucky Australian will win the opportunity to participate in a Global Village program thanks to Habitat For Humanity Australia’s Building Hope 2016 competition. The winner, announced on December the 18th, will journey to Asia, Africa or the Pacific to help build a better future for the less fortunate.
The competition is a part of Habitat’s free photography exhibition Home, displayed at Customs House in the lead up to New Year’s Eve. The exhibition showcases images of global citizens who have been given a hand-up by Habitat For Humanity Australia. For details on volunteering with Habitat For Humanity Australia, see: habitat.org.au/volunteer-overseas/.
Media Release: City Of Sydney
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