Habitat for Humanity-Jordan Sponsors International Women's Build
- Lifestyles
- Travel & Leisure
- Travel Destinations
Login to leave ratings
Author: Charlie Franck
Released 18 November 2007
Join this women’s build and experience giving from the heart. Habitat for Humanity, HfH http://www.habitat.org/ame/ is a nonprofit organization that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness throughout the world.
Habitat is a grass-roots movement with more than 2,100 active affiliates in 92 countries. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of homeowner families. Habitat for Humanity Jordan (HFH-J) began its work in 2001 and is currently working in four rural villages, where the average family consists of seven children. Houses are made of cement blocks, with the largest measuring 55 sq. meters. Families contribute an average of $1,000 USD towards their own house, through voluntary labor and donated materials. Each new house brings greater opportunities for families to lead safe, healthy and productive lives. Habitat and their affiliates follow a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection and provide homes for people of all backgrounds, races and religions.
Working with the Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Jordan, the OOK trip proposed will be a service trip to Jordan. Upon our arrival we will be given an orientation program by the Habitat-Jordan organization. The orientation will present the history of the organization, outline the project we will be working on, and give an overview of the week’s activities. Through the Habitat Jordan affiliate, an appropriate project will be chosen ahead of time (Ghor Al Safi) and our volunteers, working side-by-side with the owners of the house, will complete five days of either building or renovating a house. Depending on the stage of the house, we could be preparing the foundation, building the walls or constructing the roof. In addition, we will be interacting with the host family and getting to know them and their neighbors during the experience. It is important to know that no construction skills are necessary; only the desire to help. Habitat Jordan will provide all the tools and training during our time on the site and will guide us every step of the way. This part of the trip would be five days in length.
Once the project is complete, the team will begin a sight seeing tour of Jordan. Jordan is rich in history and our group will explore as many sights as possible in the short time we are there. Petra, the trade city of the Nebataeans, will be our first stop This ancient city, carved in colorful sandstone, is located in the narrow canyons of southern Jordan and can be reached only on foot. Up the road from Petra will be the desert landscape made famous by the movie Lawrence of Arabia, Wadi Rumm. From these beautiful wadis and jebals, T. E. Lawrence raided Turkish outposts during the Arab Revolt of 1916. Finally we will make our way back to Amman visit the Greco-Roman city of Jerash, on the outskirts of city. Jerash is recognized as the best and most complete of the Roman cities in the Middle East. Whatever time is left will be used to relax, shop or short tours to additional sites in Amman.
This trip will be limited to 15 women and the cost will be USD $2,000. This includes, lodging, breakfast and lunch, most dinners, transportation to and from the build site, cultural excursions, traveler's medical insurance, orientation materials and a donation to Habitat Jordan. The price for the build only, (no touring) will be USD $1,500 and the return date would change to February 1. For more detailed information, contact Charlie Franck at cfranck47@yahoo.com or 966-3-878-1850. C. Franck is a trained HfH leader who has led two HfH builds and numerous other trips.