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Whitney Gustafson

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About Me

Welcome to my Global Village trip page!A few weeks ago I was enjoying some wine with a group of amazing women and the question was posed to each of us, "What is your goal for next year?".  For me it was getting out of my comfort zone and paying it forward for the blessed path I've walked through this life so far.  So here goes, I'm going to Kenya to build houses with Habitat for Humanity's Global Village program and to get even farther out of my comfort zone, I'm going to ask my friends, family and co-workers to support me in this effort.  This coming for someone who shook like a leaf when she had to sell raffle tickes for 4-H!!  Oh and there was the short lived (3 month) career in sales where I had to make cold calls . . .   I have been accepted on to a team that is traveling to Kenya in June 2012 to work as a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, building houses alongside people who need a decent, affordable place to live.  I will likely mix mud cement and form bricks, dig trenches, swat mosquitos and possibly even sleep on a cement floor for 10 days.  Yikes and YAY!!   Read on to learn more about my trip, Habitat's work and how you can help.

About Our Team

Kenya, an East African country that is home to breathtaking scenery and wildlife, is experiencing an acute shortage of housing in both rural and urban areas, and the problem has become worse over the past two decades because of a depressed economy.

An estimated 42 percent of Kenyans live below the poverty line, and 50 percent of its citizens are unemployed. Many families live in inadequate, overcrowded homes, frequently with only one room and no windows. The government estimates that between 750,000 and 1.5 million families are in need of housing.

Since its founding in 1982, Habitat for Humanity Kenya has served more than 5,000 families in more than 100 communities, and has partnered with 80 other groups to improve the lives of Kenyans. Habitat uses local resources to build houses, including timber, stone or stabilized soil bricks. Habitat Kenya also offers financial education for potential homeowners, a microfinance program that provides loans in phases to avoid creating too much debt for the homeowner, and houses designated for families displaced by violence.

Please visit this page often, as we will post updates on the trip’s status, upload photos and video as we get them, and share with you our personal experiences as we work in partnership with the Kenyan families.  Spread the word about the Nairobi people and our project with them.  You can use the “Share” buttons at the upper right to share our page and our cause on Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, and many more social media sites, as well as through email.  Help us spread the word, and together we will create positive change!

About Global Village

Global Village is Habitat for Humanity’s international volunteer program. Teams travel to over 40 countries to work alongside communities, build housing solutions, and experience local culture. Our goal is to change the lives of the people we serve, as well as the lives of the volunteers.

To join a team or learn more, visit www.habitat.org/gv.

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International is a global nonprofit Christian housing organization that seeks to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has created more than 600,000 housing solutions by welcoming people of all races, religions and nationalities to construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions.

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