Paul Erbes

At least 17 percent of Fiji’s population lives in squatter or informal settlements, according to New Zealand’s International Aid & Development Agency, and 80 percent of those earn less than $47 (US) a week. The poorest households lack piped water, adequate sanitation, electricity or garbage disposal.

To meet the housing needs of low-income families, Habitat for Humanity Fiji helps to build simple, two-bedroom homes which cost about $10,000 each. HFH Fiji also renovates and upgrades homes at an estimated cost of $3,000 a unit. Habitat homes are typically built with a combination of locally supplied timber, concrete, and metal roofing.

In addition to problems associated with poverty, Fiji is also vulnerable to adverse Pacific weather patterns. HFH Fiji therefore supports rebuilding homes after natural disasters. Working with HFH New Zealand, HFH Fiji is rebuilding lives and communities following the devastating Cyclone Tomas in March 2010. HFH Fiji is already working on what will eventually be a 100-house program funded by the Fijian and New Zealand governments, to retrofit homes to make them cyclone-resistant. Retrofitted Habitat homes withstood the effects of a less severe storm, Cyclone Mick, in December 2009.

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 

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 1,300 communities throughout the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.