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You are here: The National Women’s Council of Ireland supports swapping ‘Heels for Hammers’
The National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) is urging women to swap their ‘Heels for Hammers’ and join Habitat for Humanity (HFH) Ireland’s Women’s Build in Romania this October.
“The National Women’s Council of Ireland is proud to support this project with Habitat for Humanity. Women participating in the build will work with local women and learn about their lives. They will be helping families to escape poverty,” says CEO of the National Women’s Council of Ireland, Susan McKay.
The team will be comprised entirely of women and participate in HFH’s local home-building efforts. During 2-10 October volunteers will work with local volunteers and families to help to physically build homes, communities and hope.
To celebrate the build the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Emer Costello will be supporting a lunch event. This event will take place in the Mansion House on Thursday 27th May 2010 between 12.30pm and 1.30pm.
“It’s great to see women getting active and making a difference - women supporting women. Everyone has a right to simple, decent, affordable homes so I urge women to make a difference and participate in this unforgettable experience,” said Mayor Costello.
Gwen Mulcahy, from Galway, was one of the first women to sign up for the build. She travelled to Romania last year with HFH and had an unforgettable experience. “We completed a house for the Doru family in Bechet. We had so much fun working alongside Sandu Doru. On our final day Sandu’s wife and five children came to visit their new home and the joy on their faces made all the hard work worthwhile. They have a special place in our hearts forever.”
The Women’s Build seeks to link women in Ireland to those in Romania and create an environment of learning and cultural exchange for all involved.
About 150,000 Romanian families are living in poverty conditions, without adequate heating, no running water, overcrowded conditions, no bathroom or simply their house is falling down around them.
It will also take place in conjunction with World Habitat Day (4 October 2010) which reflects and celebrates on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right of all to adequate shelter.
Rachael Sands, HFH Irelands’ International Programme Co-ordinator said, “During the trip the volunteers will have the opportunity to meet with women’s organisations in Romania and will be joined on site by local women who will benefit from the homes.”
Volunteers do not need previous construction experience. Training will be provided on site by qualified builders. All applicants need is energy, enthusiasm and a commitment to tackling poverty housing.
Susan McKay continued, “I encourage women of all ages out there who are thinking of taking part in this trip to pick up the phone and find out more about what will certainly be an unforgettable experience.”
All applications are welcome from individuals, women’s groups, sports teams and clubs.
For further information or to arrange interviews contact Sarah Ryan on 01 629 9611 or sarah@habitatireland.ie.
Editor’s Note:
Habitat for Humanity is an international, non-profit, home building organisation. Our goal is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. We invite people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need.
Since 2004 Habitat for Humanity Ireland has sent volunteers abroad to diverse locations including: Ghana, El Salvador, Malawi, Madagascar, India, Romania, Hungary, Chile, Uganda, Zambia and the USA.
Habitat for Humanity International was founded in the USA in 1976. Since its foundation it has built over 350,000 houses worldwide housing over 1.75 million people. It has bases in almost 100 countries worldwide.
Quotations:
“The National Women’s Council of Ireland is proud to support this project with Habitat for Humanity. Women participating in the build will work with local women and learn about their lives. They will be helping families to escape poverty. I encourage women of all ages out there who are thinking of taking part in this trip to pick up the phone and find out more about what will certainly be an unforgettable experience.” Susan McKay, CEO of the National Women’s Council of Ireland
Since 2004 Habitat for Humanity Ireland has sent volunteers abroad to diverse locations including: Ghana, El Salvador, Malawi, Madagascar, India, Romania, Hungary, Chile, Uganda, Zambia and the USA.
Habitat for Humanity International was founded in the USA in 1976. Since its foundation it has built over 350,000 houses worldwide housing over 1.75 million people. It has bases in almost 100 countries worldwide.
Quotations:
“The National Women’s Council of Ireland is proud to support this project with Habitat for Humanity. Women participating in the build will work with local women and learn about their lives. They will be helping families to escape poverty. I encourage women of all ages out there who are thinking of taking part in this trip to pick up the phone and find out more about what will certainly be an unforgettable experience.” Susan McKay, CEO of the National Women’s Council of Ireland
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