Women build houses, hope in Paraguay
ASUNCION, Paraguay (March 7, 2015) — Under the sun, the rain, at an average temperature of 40 degrees Celsius, a group of women dug wells, raised walls and padded floors to help three Paraguayan families have a decent house and thus celebrate International Women’s Day.
This brigade is part of the international program Women Build, that Habitat for Humanity developed to mobilize volunteers and highlight the leading role that women have in the cause of adequate housing. This is the first time a Women Build takes place in Paraguay.
For a week, 16 volunteers from the United States and Canada joined volunteers from the Association of Executive Women of Paraguay, Ladies Net and Vision Bank to build or improve housing conditions for low-income families in the village of Limpio, outside the capital, Asuncion.
“It was an amazing experience for us to witness the hard work of these exceptional women, both local and foreign, whose efforts are building hope and a better world,” said Mary Lechenuk, director of Habitat Paraguay.
For US volunteer Brenda Garcia, daughter of Salvadoran parents, this was a unique opportunity to help more people to have a decent place to live: “I think it’s not enough to say “I’ll donate”; you have to sweat, to work together with the families and volunteers to actually feel that you are changing someone’s life.”
The women also participated in discussions where they exchanged their experiences in volunteering. This Women Build closing ceremony will be held on Sunday March 8, International Women’s Day.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that safe and affordable housing provides a path out of poverty, since 1976 Habitat has helped more than 5 million people through home construction, rehabilitation and repairs and by increasing access to improved shelter through products and services. Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and offers a variety of housing support services that enable families with limited means to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit habitatlatino.org