With Whom We Work - local apprentices & builders

The Global Village team will be working on houses for the Orphan's and Vulnerable Children's Program (OVC) in Mozambique (more info about the OVC program is presented on other posts to this blog). When volunteers are not present, building still continues on a daily basis. Those who supervise volunteers as well as carry-out these tasks the rest of the time are the local OVC apprentices and builders. Here is an opportunity to meet some of them.

Apprentices
The apprentices are young builders and they themselves live in a HFHI‐MZ built home. Each
apprentice is paid 200mtn per house and focuses on one of three parts of the
build: walls, roof, or foundation.

Fernando Raul
Fernando is a 16 year old OVC apprentice who has been working with Habitat for Humanity Mozambique (HFHI‐MZ) since July 2007. He builds houses in the morning and attends school in the afternoons. An OVC himself, Fernando lives in a house built by HFHI‐MZ with his mother and grandmother. Previously, the family home lacked security and leaked when it rained causing much hardship and discomfort. The apprenticeship has been a life changing experience for Fernando who explained, “I like it a lot. I’m learning many new skills.” Fernando focuses on constructing the walls, but has learned the whole house building process. With his wages Fernando supports his family buying food and clothes. Fernando remarked he wants to build more houses to reach more people and help more families. He is thankful for the experience and feels that the skills he is learning now will help him in the future. Furthermore, Fernando is able to maintain his house and contributes greatly to his family’s well‐being and livelihood.

Builders
HFHI-MZ builders are local tradesmen who are employed to solely build OVC houses.
Earning 400mtn per house, each builder specializes in one of three parts: foundation,
walls or roof, and are also responsible for mentoring and training the OVC apprentices.

Lourenço Mangue
Lourenço has been a builder for HFHI‐MZ since April 2007. Specializing in foundations and mixing cement, he is currently mentoring Joal, an OVC apprentice. Lourenço enjoys building houses with HFHI‐MZ and remarked, “This project has a big impact. Habitat is building houses for families in need and they’re helping the community by building houses for kids without parents and people who are sick.” Before he started working with HFHI‐MZ, Lourenço used to build houses on a contract basis in the community. However, working for HFHI‐MZ has increased his income which he uses to support his family of seven children.

Mario Muangua
Mario has been a builder for HFHI‐MZ since April 2007 and his specialty is creating the house walls. Mario enjoys the work he does commenting, “I like building houses knowing that I’m helping people.” Mario also mentors OVC apprentice builder Fernando. Since Fernando began his apprenticeship in July, 2007, Mario has taught and supervised his work on the walls. For Mario, building for HFHI‐MZ is more than just a job. “Habitat is helping people and vulnerable kids in an area which helps the community.” Mario’s salary helps him support his wife and twelve children as well as build his own house.

Safari (R&R) Information/Itinerary

On July 8 we will be saying good-bye to our host community in Massaca and going back to Maputo to overnight at the Methodist House where we began our trip 10 days earlier. Early the next morning we will board a bus that will take us to South Africa. Including the border crossing, where each participant will get their SA visa, it will take about 4 hours to arrive in Nelspruit. From there, our safari comany will pick us up, and off we go on our amazing safari!!


Itinerary (as described by safari company):



July 9th - Pick up from Nelspruit and drive via Panoramic Route. Arrive at Tremisana Lodge for sunset game drive. Dinner and overnight in air-conditioned chalets.

July 10th - Full day in Kruger Park on open Gameviewer. Visit Orpen, Satara, Nwanedzi, regions in Kruger National Park known for their game viewing.

Return to the Cheetah Inn for dinner under the stars in our open Boma. Overnight at Cheetah Inn.

July 11th - Another full day in Kruger on open Gameviewer. Return to the romantic Marc’s Treehouse Lodge where you are accommodated in fascinating treehouses.
Dinner and overnight at Marc’s.

(the treehouse stay is in honor of dear tree-swinging friends, Bob and Nancy Cole, that are on this team - we are celebrating our 25th friendship anniversary this summer!)

July 12th : Early morning bush walk in the company of armed rangers. After breakfast , we drive via Blyde Canyon en route to Johannesburg. Expecting to arrive at the Joberg airport around 4-5pm.

Where the Team Will Be Living and Working

This team will be living and working in the village of Massaca, a few hours away from the capital city of Maputo. There we will be staying in three Spanish Mission houses, courtesy of the Catholic Church. Each house will accommodate 4-6 people. There are some beds with mattresses, but a few people will need to sleep on mattresses on the floor. Bed linens are provided as well as mosquito netting for the beds.

The two showers are cold water only, and are in a room attached to one of the houses. Flush toilets are in the same area. It is necessary that everyone bring their own towel for showering.
We will have breakfast and evening meal at the Spanish Mission, and that is also where we will have our evening meetings, social interactions, and relaxation.

Our lunch will be in the village where we will be working. We will be transported each day from the mission houses to the work site, a short distance away.

What to Pack and How to Pack It

WHAT TO PACK & HOW TO PACK IT

IN GENERAL: Mozambique is very casual, but “conservative” in the villages. We have been asked to “be sensitive to the poverty in the community by keeping leisure wear simple and kept to a minimum”. You will need mostly work clothes. Your other activities are still very casual. You may want something a little nicer for Sunday service in the village and for “R&R” activities, but still casual/conservative.

Be prepared for cool and dry. It‘s the end of the rainy season in March/April, so the months afterwards, until September, see less than 50mm/month. Humidity is around 60-70%. Temperatures will range from 18-22 degrees Celsius (get used to Celsius and other metric measures!) during the Habitat building and recreation time. To change Celsius to Fahrenheit just multiply the Celsius temperature times 2 (precisely it is 1.8) and add 32. To change Fahrenheit to Celsius just subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature and divide by one half (precisely it is .56).

HOW MUCH CAN I TAKE? Let’s start with that question because the rest of this will make a lot more sense, such as when we’re suggesting “wear your heaviest shoes on the airplane”. The bus from Kruger Park to Joberg, as well as the safari itself will be the limiting factor. The buses aren’t equipped to carry the amount of luggage that is allowed on international flights, and the safari vehicles aren’t either. You can check in 30kgs (66#) on South African Airways, including the flight to Maputo, and your carry-on can weigh 8kgs (18#). (Check your own airline for their weight restrictions). You can use your full weight allowance for your trip home to pack all your souvenirs, when you are ready for your final flight home. But for reasons of keeping it down for the bus and safari, we suggest that you keep your luggage to about 35# for your luggage and 10# for your hand-carry items. SAA allows you to check one or two bags, as long as the total doesn't go over the allowance. Two smaller bags would be a whole lot easier to handle and squeeze in buses and vehicles. If you pack light and in one bag, you may want to bring a simple roll-up type duffle with you in your luggage to use as your second piece going home if you think you might buy souvenirs.

WHAT KIND OF LUGGAGE SHOULD I USE? On the Safari, they are asking that you pack in soft duffels or backpacks, not hard suitcases or packs with rigid frames. This will make it much easier for them to transport from camp to camp each day. I know we all like our “wheels” on luggage, but it is possible to have wheels on soft duffels. Soft luggage crams more easily onto trucks and buses, as well as smaller overhead compartments on airplanes. Check out your Salvation Army or Goodwill for used luggage if you don’t want to buy something new just for this trip. Also, Joe’s (formerly GI Joe’s) and other sports/outdoor stores have heavy-duty cloth duffels for under $25. We find that the kind of international travel we’ll be doing is kind of hard on luggage, so leave your really nice luggage at home for this trip.

HOW SAFE WILL MY LUGGAGE BE? This is what the State Department has to say about that (& I would agree from my own travels there several years ago): “There is a serious baggage pilferage problem at OR Tambo, Johannesburg and Cape Town International airports, particularly affecting travelers changing airlines and those flying on smaller airlines. Travelers are encouraged to secure their luggage with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) approved locks, use an airport plastic wrapping service, and avoid placing electronics, jewelry, cameras or other valuables in checked luggage. Make an inventory of items in checked baggage to aid in claims processing if theft does occur.”

Also, for those of you that will be overnighting in Joberg and checking back in for your flight to Maputo, I would recommend, for just that one flight, that you not use the zippered pockets on the outside of your luggage. Items packed in those pockets are too easily pilfered.

KEEP IN MIND

KEEP IT APPROPRIATE!: We are told to dress “conservatively”. At the worksite, males and females both can wear shorts, but not too short. Knees should not be showing. Males and females should not have bare or slightly covered shoulders (like tank tops). So, a no show of knees and shoulders. On Sundays, women should wear a skirt/blouse or dress and men should wear long pants and cotton shirt (not a t-shirt). It would be more appropriate for you to wear a “sarong” (laplap, lavalava) to the shower building instead of just wrapping a towel around you. And instead of wearing all of your clothes as an alternative, a sarong will help you get in and out more quickly, making room for the next person waiting. The shower building is attached to the rooms where we sleep, but you need to go outside to get to it.

KEEP IT LIGHT! You may find jeans and t-shirts to be hot and uncomfortable. Consider wearing lightweight pants/shorts and short-sleeved cotton shirts and blouses for work during the day. If you don’t have any, consider “scrubs”, those lightweight cotton pants/tops worn by your dental hygienists, nurses, doctors. They are looser than you may usually like, but that helps keep you cool. They usually have an elastic waist, which you may find more comfortable also. You can buy them at uniform stores, but they are also often available at Salvation Army or Goodwill or Value Village. If possible, get them with pockets. If you want to spend more money there is lightweight clothing available in travel stores and magazines.

KEEP IT SAFE! We will be in a malarial area (have you talked to your doc about meds and other immunizations yet?). This is caused by mosquitoes that bite during dusk, dawn, and dark. Therefore you are going to want to wear long sleeved pants and long-sleeved shirts, as lightweight and loose as possible, but “secure” around your wrists and ankles (elastic or buttons - rubber bands work too). If you are wearing sandals in the evenings, wear a lightweight sock with them. There is currently no outbreak of dengue fever in our area, which is caused by a mosquito that bites during the day, so we won’t need to worry about that.. As well as protecting against mosquitoes, wear what is necessary to protect yourself from the sun: hat, bandana, etc.

KEEP IT MINIMAL! You only need 2-3 changes of work clothes for the whole time you are in the village. There will be some villagers that will be preparing our meals as well as doing our laundry for us. They will doing laundry every day, on a rotating basis of some sort. And if that isn’t often enough, you can rinse out your own at night. That’s a good reason to keep things lightweight - they dry faster to turn around and wear the next day. Don’t count on laundry opportunities while you are traveling or during “R&R” - wash out at night, or bring enough to change - or just don’t change!

SPECIFIC ITEMS FOR THE WORKSITE:

• Sturdy closed-toe shoes (tennis shoes are OK)
• Shorts, pants as described above
• Blouses, shirts as described above
• Work gloves - you could be working with cement as well as wood
• Hat or bandanna - sunburn is a reality and a danger. Some people prefer a broad-rimmed hat, such as a straw hat, to protect the neck.
• Water bottle
• Day pack/small bag - It will be very helpful if you have a small, simple day pack or bag to put your valuables - camera, documents, etc. - when you are at the worksite and while on safari. We cannot guarantee security for these items if they are left in the Mission House. We won’t know until we get there, so just count on keeping these items with you at all times. You may want to wear a passport carrier around your waist or neck for documents, cash, etc, but put them in a zip-lock bag to keep them from soaking up your sweat!

OTHER CLOTHING YOU WILL NEED when not at the worksite:

• Comfortable/casual walking shoes for travel & R&R - tennis shoes or sandals
• Shower shoes - something to wear to and in the wash house - flip flops are OK, but you can also wear your sandals if they are waterproof and that would cut down on an extra shoe to pack.
• Pants/shorts as described above
• Shirts/blouses as described above
• Light-weight jacket or sweater for evenings
• Skirt/dress - for Sundays (but remember, not for evening because of exposed legs and arms) and no shoulders or knees showing
• Socks - lightweight - enough to wear between washings
• Underwear
• Sleepwear - it gets cool at night

OTHER ITEMS YOU WILL NEED:

• Flexibility, patience, and a sense of humor
• Passport with Mozambique visa
• Spending money - for whatever you need for traveling. It is recommended to have $100 cash while in Mozambique for souvenirs, gifts, etc. You can change US dollars to Mozambique metical at the airport. We are told that you can use credit cards and ATMs in Maputo, but traveler's cheques are not widely accepted. Bob and I have found that to be true in other African and Asian countries so we don't bother with them. They are often times not even accepted at the banks to exchange money.
• Insect repellent - DEET level of 30 or higher is suggested
• Sunscreen or lotion
• More patience
• TP Kit (zip-lock bag with hand sanitizer & toilet paper for a couple of trips to the latrine)
• 1-2 rolls of TP of your own - to refill your TP kit
• Toiletries
• Alarm clock
• Throw in an extra dose of “sense of humor”
• Lightweight, small towel (something that dries overnight) - travel/outdoor stores have them, or use a small, thin worn-out from home
• An extra dose of “flexibility”
• Extra zip-lock bags - to put your own personal trash to carry out
• Laundry bag (mesh, or old pillowcase) - please put your name on the outside of the bag/pillowcase
• More and more patience
• Prescription medication, contact lens supplies (could be very dusty) and any other personal needs, including feminine hygiene supplies
• Flashlight, extra batteries
• LED headlamp - a lot handier than a flashlight when going to to the shower/toilet building at night! These lamps come on a strap for around your head, or there is the kind that snaps onto the bill of a baseball cap
• Waterless antibacterial wash when water is not available (towlettes not recommended because of disposal problem)
• Personal first aid supplies for cuts, blisters, diarrhea ( we will also have a Team First Aid kit, but it helps for you to have your own available in your pocket at the worksite
• Electrical adapters and converters, depending on what you are bringing (see note at bottom for more info)
• What the heck - a little more won’t hurt - add even more flexibility, patience, sense of humor
• Snack foods - This is something you don’t need to pack ahead of time, but may want to consider buying in Maputo to take to Massaca. it may happen that you don’t care for all the local foods, and find yourself hungry. There may or may not be the opportunity to buy anything once we’re in Massaca. It wouldn’t be acceptable to bring your own food to a meal prepared by our hosts, but you could have something back at your own room. You have to keep in mind bugs and heat and humidity. Bring some extra zip-lock bags to store the food you purchase, and take care of any trash/packaging by packing it back out with you.

Tools to bring if you can: (keep in mind weight and that they have to be in checked baggage). Tools left with the Habitat affiliate will be greatly appreciated, but you can bring along your own to take back with you if you would prefer. Do not bring tools that require electricity!

• Pliers
• Saws
• Trowels
• Hammers
• Tape measures (metric)
• Plumb bobs
• Spirit levels

DOES ANYBODY ALREADY HAVE A SOLAR SHOWER? Since there are only cold water showers at the Mission House, we'll bring the two solar showers that we have (5 gallons each, good for 3 people to take a shower). If we had 4 more, we wouldn't have to rotate with who gets to take a hot shower each day. Let me know if you have one you're willing to bring along.

OPTIONAL (consider value, weight, and security):

• Binoculars
• Back support - the work is all manual
• Extra prescription glasses
• Laplap (sarong, lavalava) to wear to the shower
• Poncho or lightweight rain jacket - it will probably make you hot to wear and you may choose to just be wet if it even rains
• Umbrella - small, collapsible
• Journal, paper, pencil or pen
• Book(s)
• Bible/meditation material
• Games, cards to use at night with just team members (some may not be appropriate to be used with community members)
• Games to play with children - frisbees, jump ropes, finger puppets (do not give these to children directly - even simple gifts are not allowed. The kids can use them with you, but they must give them back when you are done playing with the kids each time. Then we will give them to the school to use for all the children when we leave)
• Laundry powder- in case you want to wash something out at night on your own - but we suggest just using your shampoo or other multi-purpose soap
• Bathing suit (there MAY be an opportunity at a pool somewhere
• A few photos of family and home to share with team and host (remember, pictures of who we are, not what we have - like boats, houses, cars, etc)
• Camera, batteries, extra memory
• Sunglasses
• Pocketknife (not in your hand-carry!
• Small musical instrument - recorder, harmonica
• Ear plugs

NOT ALLOWED

• Illegal drugs
• Firearms, firecrackers
• Bad sense of humor
• Inflexibility
• Short tempers

EXTRA DONATIONS

In addition to items on the tool list that you may choose to donate, some of you may also, or instead of, want to donate to the community school and/or medical clinic. The following are the needs that they have sent to us:

SCHOOL SUPPLIES needed:

pencils

pens

notebooks

soccer balls

colored pencils

drawing books

crayons

art supplies

markers

rulers

erasers

pencil sharpeners

MEDICAL CLINIC requests:

bandages

compresses

gloves

sticking plaster

antiseptics

thermometers

ointments

antibiotics

anti-inflammatories

anti-fungals

general antibiotics

cotton

paracetamol

aspirin

TIPS ON HOW TO PACK IT

• Read again the info at the top as to the kind of luggage to use.

• For those of you doing personal traveling after Mozambique: if you are staying overnight somewhere on the way in to Mozambique, such as Joberg, and you are also going to go back through that same city using that same hotel, you may be able to leave a bag behind that you don’t need in Mozambique but want for the rest of your trip. Check with the hotel where you have your reservations. Don’t count on airport storage. You’ll have to make your own decisions as to whether you think it is secure enough. You’ll also have to check the baggage limits for where you are going.

• Your carry-on should have a little of everything, to get you through several days of waiting for your luggage to catch up with you. You wouldn’t be the first team member that this has happened to.

• For those of you having a tough time with the baggage limit, remember that they don’t weigh YOU! Wear as much weight as you can on the airplane to keep your bags lighter - wear your heaviest shoes, and possibly several layers of clothes. You can take some of those layers off and cram them in your carry-on after you go through the inspection of your carry-on.

• Make sure you can padlock your bag to help insure against theft enroute. Do not put items in unlocked outside pockets. (a simple duffle, with no outside pockets works best). Use a combination padlock instead of a key. Read the note at the beginning again about the safety of your luggage - there isn’t any. So really, leave the expensive stuff you don’t need (like jewelry) at home - there will be little to no opportunity to wear it anyway. Other valuables (cameras, binocs, etc) should be in your hand-carry.

• Pack leaky items (shampoo, lotions) in zip lock bags - and tighten the cap right before you put them in. Pack most of that in your checked baggage. Read up on the current allowances for liquids in your carry-on. Right now it’s 3oz bottles that will all fit into one quart-size zip-lock bag.

• Be sure your bag(s) are well labeled with your name and contact info (maybe a friend or family) - it doesn’t do any good for them to try and contact you at home about a found bag since you won’t be at home!

• If you need a pillow to sleep, consider just putting your clean clothing in a pillow case or clean shirt and using that.

• Simplify your toiletries - if shampoo will work as your body soap, and even laundering your clothes, that will cut down on number of bottles.

• Dr Bonner’s soap - you can wash EVERYTHING, including your teeth, body, hair, laundry, dishes, your roommate …whatever! It’s biodegradable, “green”, plus the bottle is fun to read! Get it in “trial size” and there will be enough for you and a friend. One team member recommends “mint” as it leaves behind a nice tingle, and is best flavor for tooth-brushing. I think it tastes pretty bad no matter what, so I go for “lavender”. REI (outdoor equipment store) and natural food stores carry it.

• A former team member recommended adding some mouth wash (she likes mint for this too) to a spray bottle of water, and using that to “spritz yourself” - it feels tingly, makes you smell better, doesn’t attract mosquitoes like perfumed sprays do, and actually kills some germs!

• Roll-up style space bags are great for compacting clothing items….no vacuum necessary

• Hair dryers can be cumbersome. If you can share with others while on R&R, that will help cut down on your weight and space. Those of us traveling on our own afterwards will probably carry a hair dryer, so the rest of you don’t have to (us girls can chat about that on our own).
  

NOTE about electrical adapters and converters: -
Adapters - Mozambique uses the adapters that have three round pins. They may be labeled WA-9, WA-10 or WA-10L.
South Africa uses two different kinds. In some places they will use the same kind as Mozambique, but in other places they will use the WA-7, which also has three pins, but they are flat. One flat pin is perpendicular to the other two flat pins (one is vertical, the other two are horizontal). Which one will be needed where is anyone’s guess. We’ve been in places where one room may have two different kinds of electrical outlets!

Converters - A converter is not the same thing as an adapter. The adapter just makes it so that your plug can fit into their socket. The converter changes the voltage. Your appliance, such as a hair dryer, must also be able to change voltage from 120 to 240. If your appliance doesn’t have that kind of switch right on it, then you need a converter as well to accommodate the wattage of your appliance. Those who try to use an appliance without the converter will be providing exciting entertainment for the rest of us at the cost of your blown-up appliance. Converters come in different capacities (wattage). A hair dryer usually takes a pretty big converter so check that out. Converters and adapters can be purchased at a travel store or online (Amazon.com). Target, Joe’s (formerly GI Joe’s) and REI carry them. I have been told that Lowe’s does as well. Check department stores that carry luggage.
We’ve been told that these adapters and converters are NOT available in Mozambique.

Water & Sun - How to Stay Healthy & Safe

This information comes directly from our Habitat host. He wants our team to be healthy and safe at all times. He says:

Always wash your hands thoroughly before eating.

Always request for purified or bottled water. Even when taking mixed drinks or soda’s with ice, please request for ice/ ice cubes from purified water.

Using purified water may include for brushing teeth.

Water can be purified or distilled. Bottled water is abundant and readily available.

Water contamination may apply to bathing as well as food. If bathing or swimming in rivers is a practice, be cautious if the water could be contaminated.

Wash thoroughly and disinfect cuts and sores afterwards. Do not shave while bathing in such water.

If purchasing fruits and vegetables on your own, please have this thoroughly washed or even peeled if necessary before eating.

Street food: Volunteers are advised to ask about buying any “street food”. Though this is a culinary experience, please ask the advice of your local project host before doing so.

In special cases where the toilet facilities are a challenge to some participants, some may choose not to drink enough water just to avoid using these facilities. Dehydration can be the consequence.

Sunburn and even heat exhaustion and stroke are a potential risk.

Always put on sunscreen before working or even going to the city.

Wear a hat or bandanna on the work site.

Wear a long-sleeved shirt to protect the arms and long trousers for the legs.

Also, working on a construction site for prolonged periods of time is not a usual activity for most international team members, frequent breaks and rest are encouraged.

“Drink lots of water! The greatest health threats to any team working in the tropical heat are dysentery and dehydration”.

Do's and Don'ts - being culturally sensitive

Mozambique is less traditional and conservative than its neighbors Swaziland, and South Africa, but it may be useful to consider a few things whilst traveling:

· Gift Giving/ Receiving - When giving a gift it is courteous to hand it to the person with your right hand and to receive a gift with both hands.

· Taking pictures – Because of many tourists, journalists and photographers taking pictures to use for profit, people have occasionally started acting aggressively towards people who take their pictures without asking them beforehand. Do please ask permission if you can take a picture of them beforehand to avoid problems.

· Buying things at the Markets - Be aware that you will probably be asked to pay more for goods than the locals, so it’s always good to learn how to say NO, and always negotiate and not accept the first price. Negotiate with a smile and positive attitude…getting upset will make things more difficult. Remember, you are a visitor to a country much different from your own.

· Pointing fingers- It is considered bad manners to point at someone.

· Stretching and yawning- It’s considered disrespectful to stretch yourself in front of people and yawning with your mouth open.

Currency

The local currency is the Metical; these notes come in 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 denominations. In Maputo it is possible to use US$ and further south South African Rands are also commonly accepted. For up to date currency exchange rates look at www.xe.com. Credit cards such as VISA and MASTERCARD are widely accepted in shops and restaurants especially in major cities and ATM’s are also abundant. It is NOT advisable to bring travelers cheques as they are not widely accepted and difficult to cash.

Communications while in Mozambique

In Mozambique, especially in Maputo City, there are a good number of internet cafes with reasonably fast connections. Prices range from $ 1.5 – $2 per hour. It is possible to make international phone calls from phone booths with the TDM phone centers around the country where you can also buy cards. You can also use cell phones to make and receive calls, using our Local mobile services providers (Mcell and Vodacom), a phone card (SIM) is around $12.

Religion

Roughly 35% of Mozambicans are Christians, 25-30% are Muslims and others follow traditional religions. Christians (mostly Roman Catholics) are predominantly found in the south and Muslims particularly present in the north along old trading routes.
Traditional beliefs are widespread and often incorporated into Christianity.

For more information please visit:
http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Africa/Mozambique-RELIGIONS.html

Language and Common Phrases

The official language of Mozambique is Portuguese, but this is spoken only by the approximate quarter of the population that has received school education. Portuguese is the language of the Mozambican education, business, and legal systems, which poses a problem for the great majority of the population who cannot read or speak it.
Bantu Languages
Approximately 60 other languages and dialects are spoken in Mozambique. All are of Bantu origin, and can be roughly categorized by geography. The 40% of the Mozambican population living north of the Zambezi speaks the endemic Makua-Longwe dialects. Tsonga predominates south of the Limpopo, and Tonga and Shona are spoken in the central region. Some people in the northern coastal regions also speak KiSwahili, a simplified Bantu language with Arabic influences.
Shangana (spoken in South Mozambique) Portuguese
· Hello- Xeweni Good morning- Bom dia
· Good Morning- Dzi xili Good afternoon- Boa tarde
· Good bye- Hambanini Good night- Boa noite
· Thank you- Kanimambu Thank you- Obrigada/o
· Yes- hin Yes- Sim
· No – Hinhi No- Nao
· How much is it?- I mali muni? How much is it?- Quanto custa?

For more information please visit:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/other/portuguese/
http://cesa.imb.org/TheRegion/mozambique/Shangaan.htm

Flag of Mozambique

The flag of Mozambique was adopted on May 1, 1983.

It includes the image of an AK-47 and is the only national flag in the world to feature such a modern rifle.
The flag is based on the flag of the Mozambican Liberation Front (FRELIMO). The FRELIMO flag, used for a brief period after the country gained its independence from Portugal, looks like the current flag but lacking the emblem.
Flag symbolism
Green: The riches of the soil; Black: The African continent; Yellow: The mineral riches; White: The peace; Red: The country’s struggle for independence

The Emblem:Yellow star: The solidarity of the people and the socialistic beliefs of the country; Book: Education; Hoe: Peasants and agriculture; AK47:The nation’s determination to protect its freedom

A New flag?
In 2005, a competition was held to design a new flag for Mozambique. 119 entries were received and a winning flag was selected, but to this day the flag remains the same. This came in the context of a drive to create a new crest and anthem for the country. Mozambique's parlimentary opposition would specifically like to see removed from the flag the image of the Kalashnikov assault rifle, which symbolizes the nation's struggle for independence, according to press reports. This drive to change these national symbols has met great resistance from public opinion.
The proposition of a new flag was rejected by the FRELIMO-dominated parliament in December 2005. 169 proposed flags were turned down, including the current flag without the rifle.

How Visitors to This Blog Can Donate to the Kids in Moz

If you are a visitor to this Blog, you can donate funds that :

1) go directly into the team donation account for the materials for a Mozambique house for Orphans and Vulnerable Children and Habitat's house-building program, or

2) to support a particular team member in their efforts to raise money for their expenses and airfare.

You also have a choice of donating online or over the phone.

If by phone, call 1-800-HABITAT, ext 7530, Monday-Friday, 8-5, EST. You need to have the event code (if donating only to the materials portion) which is GV 8125. If you are supporting a particular team member, you will need that event code as well as the person's personal 8-digit ID number. The receptionist on the phone can give you that number, or you can ask the team member directly.

If donating online, go to www.habitat.org/gv. Click on the words "make a donation in support of a Global Village team". Fill in the required information. If donating only to the team fund for materials, at the bottom, where it says "please apply this donation towards", click the third button "The Global Village team indicated below". Enter the EventCode: GV 8125.

If you wish to support a particular team member, then you will go to that same website and page, except that you will click on the second button, "The following person's Global Village trip". You will enter the same Event Code, but you will also need that person's 8-digit ID number. You need to write to that person and ask them for their ID#.

You will receive a tax-deductible receipt for all the funds, regardless of which account you deposit your donation, and whether it's by phone or online.

Setting Up Your Fundraising Web Page

Create a FUND-RAISING Web Page
(in just minutes!!)

Create a Web page simply and easily by using the Global Village Web page design wizard at www.habitat.org/gv/create.html. Our wizard will customize a page for you, containing information about Habitat, Global Village, the specifics of YOUR trip, YOUR destination country/state, and forms for taking donations on-line or by mail for YOUR account!

Y Technical skills are not required (whew!)

Y The Web page is personalized with YOUR trip details and information (wow!)

Y You can provide the Web address to family, friends, church groups and others to raise support and participation in the Global Village event (neat AWARENESS-raising tool also!)

Y E-mail a note about your GV trip to your friends and include the page’s address. Encourage them to visit your Web page. (how easy!!)

Y In fund-raising letters, refer the reader to your Web page for more information and an easy way to support you or your GV team (personal touch with techno advantages!)


Here's how, step-by-step:
Step 1: Copy and paste this address in your Web browser: www.habitat.org/gv/create.html
Step 2: Enter your eight-digit Habitat ID number.
Step 3: Create a password for your page, so you can come back and edit it later if you'd like.
Step 4: Enter your Global Village trip number, your name, and your e-mail address.
Step 5: They will create an example welcome message for your page. You can edit their message, or write a completely different message if you'd like.
Step 6: Your page is now ready! They'll give you the address at which your page is located. Copy this address down, so you can let friends and family know how to find your page.

You also can change the information you entered at any time. Just return to www.habitat.org/gv/create.html, enter your Habitat ID and password, and you can change your information and welcome message as needed. The system will update your page automatically with the your new information.

Payment & Donation Policies and Procedures

Global Village’s Payment Policies and Procedures guide
applies to everybody who commits to a GV trip, so please
read this carefully. We hope the following guide also proves
helpful for those of you who are fund raising the financial
support necessary to make your trip a reality. Be sure to
review the information here before beginning your fundraising
efforts. These guidelines are in place to ensure that
you have the opportunity to join others in the mission of
Habitat affiliates around the world to help build decent,
affordable houses in partnership with low-income families.

Deposit and Balance
Once you are invited to join a Global Village team, you must
confirm your place on the team by submitting a nonrefundable
and nontransferable deposit to Habitat for Humanity
International in the amount of $350. The balance of the trip
payment (trip cost minus the $350 deposit) is due no later
than 45 days prior to departure (May 10)

Submitting payments
All payments toward your trip must be made in U.S. dollars
to Habitat for Humanity International, and designated to the
Global Village department (see "coding" info below).

Payments may be submitted by personal check, money order,
MasterCard, Visa, American Express or Discover.

You or your donors may submit funds by credit card online.
Go to www.habitat.org/gv and click on the link called "Donate in Support of a Global Village Trip”. You can also submit funds by telephone by calling the GV customer service coordinator at (800) 422-4828, Ext. 7530.

To submit payments online or over the phone, you will need:
your credit card
your eight-digit Habitat ID number
GV event code for Mozambique, which is GV 8125.

Participants and donors who submit funds by credit card will receive an automatic e-mail acknowledgment that the payment was received.

Checks and money orders must be made payable to
Habitat for Humanity International and mailed to:
Habitat for Humanity International
Global Village department
P.O. Box 369
Americus, GA 31709-0369
Note: It may take up to two weeks for donations to post to
the team’s account.

Your deposit and any payments you submit toward the
cost of your trip will automatically be credited toward satisfying
your financial obligation only when coded as per the instructions.

Coding your donations
For a donation to be credited toward your trip, your
personal eight-digit Habitat ID number and GV event
code for Mozambique (GV8125) must be included on all funds submitted to the
Global Village program on your behalf.

For online credit card payments
Include your eight-digit Habitat ID number and GV event code in
the fields provided.

For personal checks or money orders
Please write the eight-digit Habitat ID number above the
name and address in the upper left corner of the
check, and the GV event code on the memo line located
in the lower left corner.

If you are uncertain of your eight-digit Habitat ID
number or the GV event code, please contact your
team leader.


Funding your trip
• Fund-raising Web site
Point your Web browser to www.habitat.org/gv/create.html and in just a few minutes
you can create a personalized fund-raising Web page for your trip. You can then direct potential donors to your Web site where they can learn more about the Global
Village program, HFHI and your specific trip. More information is in this blog on the post called "Fundraising Ideas"

• Matching gifts
Contact your company’s matching gift
officer prior to submitting a matching gift form. Not all
companies’ matching-gift policies allow for the matching
of participation fees. If applying for matching gifts,
notify your team leader.
Note: Matching gift funds may only be used to offset the
final balance owed if they are received by GV at least 45
days before the trip departs.

• Tax deductibility
Funding raised toward the cost of a
Global Village trip also includes the cost of food, lodging and
transportation during the trip. Only a portion of the required
trip payment supports the charitable purpose of the hosting
Habitat program. Depending on the participant’s country of
origin, this trip’s cost may or may not be tax-deductible. Please
consult a tax adviser concerning your specific situation.

• Acknowledging donations
All donors who contribute
via check or money order payable to Habitat for Humanity
International, or make a credit card donation designated
to a Global Village team, are sent acknowledgment letters
by Habitat for Humanity International. Those who
donate online (via a personalized Web page or via the
link “Donate in Support of a Global Village Trip”) receive
a prompt e-mail confirmation that the donation was
received, and will also be mailed an acknowledgement
letter. Discourage your supporters from sending cash,
as Habitat for Humanity International cannot acknowledge
cash donations. Talk to the team leader about cash that is collected as a donation at fundraising events.

• Donation checks payable to you
If a donor makes a check payable to you, but would like an
acknowledgment letter from HFHI, you may write “Payable
to Habitat for Humanity International,” along with your signature,
on the back of the check. Include the event code and
your eight-digit Habitat ID number on the front of the check.

• Funds raised in addition to the published trip cost
One of the stated purposes of the Global Village program
is to raise funds for the building efforts of Habitat affiliates
worldwide. To remain consistent with our mission,
the Global Village department is not able to roll additional
funds over to a future GV trip. Habitat for Humanity
International will direct any additional funding you raise
(beyond the published trip cost) to support building
programs in the team’s host country.

Fund raising for airfare
As of Jan. 1, 2008, funds raised
at HFHI in excess of the trip cost may no longer be used to
cover all or part of a GV participant’s airfare. Participants
may still be able to claim their airfare as a tax-deductible
expense even if the funds are paid directly from the
participant to a vendor, as long as the trip is in pursuit of a
charitable purpose. Team members will need to contact a
tax adviser concerning their specific situation. Team members can, however, receive "miles" in an airline mileage program as a donation. No receipt, however, can be given to the donor.

Cancellation policy
No refunds are offered if you must cancel.

• Cancellation more than 45 days prior to departure
All payments excluding the $350 deposit may be transferred
for use on a future GV trip within one year of your original
trip date. All cancellation notices must first be given to
your team leader before notifying GV. All transfer requests
must be sent in writing to the Global Village sending coordinator.
Ask your team leader for more information.

• Cancellation within 45 days of departure
One hundred percent of your payments and donations will be
retained by HFHI to meet current obligations.

• If Habitat for Humanity must cancel
We will make every effort to conduct the trip as scheduled; however, if
Habitat for Humanity International must cancel, we will
attempt to place you on another team. If that is not possible,
you may receive a full refund. Global Village cannot
compensate participants for the cost of unusable airfare
or any other expenses resulting from the cancellation.

• Delays enroute
If delays occur en route, or missed or
cancelled flights cause you to miss your rendezvous with
the team, the Global Village staff will do everything possible
to assist you in connecting with the team. However, Global
Village cannot be responsible for any expenses incurred due
to flight problems. The Global Village program does not
provide trip cancellation insurance. You may wish to inquire
about purchasing this through your travel agent.

Travel Medical Insurance Information

Travel Medical Insurance

Global Village Program
A portion of your work trip fee established by your team leader
covers the cost of insurance coverage. Through paying your fee,
you will automatically be insured against accidental loss of life,
limb, sight, speech or hearing while participating in volunteer
activities sponsored and supervised by Habitat for Humanity.
This mandatory insurance coverage is consistent with policies
recommended by Habitat for Humanity International’s Legal
department and ratified by the HFHI board of directors on Feb.
10, 1994. The coverage is designed to ensure a comprehensive
risk management program and to provide protection to Habitat’s
Global Village trip volunteers.

We have a serious commitment to risk management and
assume everyone is willing to comply.

Note: Covered medical expenses incurred for treatment
of a pre-existing condition are limited to a maximum
of $50,000. “Pre-existing condition” means any injury or
illness that was contracted or that manifested itself, or for
which treatment or medication was prescribed, prior to
the effective date of this insurance.

Claims
To file a claim, consult with the team leader immediately and
request a claim form. See “Quick Tips for Filing a Claim”
(below) for proper procedures and assistance in filing a claim.

Specifications, Provisions and Exclusions
Coverage is sold on a per-day basis and commences at the
actual start of the trip from the insured’s residence or designated
departure point. Coverage terminates immediately upon
return to the insured’s residence or designated return point,
or at the end of the published itinerary.

Note: Anyone traveling five days before or five days after
their official team dates is offered (automatically) the same
coverage at no additional cost. Unfortunately, no other
extensions of this coverage are available. You must be sure
to properly insure yourself for all other personal travel.

The policy does not cover loss caused by or resulting
from any of the following: intentionally self-inflicted injuries;
suicide while sane; attempted suicide while sane; pregnancy,
childbirth or miscarriage; accident occurring while a passenger
on, operating or learning to operate, or serving as a
crew member of any aircraft. Injuries or sickness sustained
while under the influence of drugs (other than prescribed)
or alcohol are not covered. Injuries or illness sustained while
racing or committing or attempting to commit a felony are
not covered. This is a general summary, but it is still subject
to the policy terms, conditions and exclusions.

Medical Assistance
Medical assistance for Global Village team members is available
24 hours a day, seven days a week. It includes the following:
• Medical evacuation and repatriation benefit. Your expenses
up to $150,000 will be covered in the case that accidental
bodily injury, disease or illness requires your medical
evacuation or repatriation while on a covered trip.
• Multilingual MEDEX assistance specialists.
• Assistance in locating the nearest, most appropriate
medical care.
• International MEDEX preferred provider networks.
• MEDEX program medical advisors (physician) consultative
and advisory services, including review of appropriateness
and analysis of medical care.
• Assistance in establishing contact with family, personal
physician and employer, as appropriate.
• Monitoring progress during treatment and recovery.
• Emergency message transmittal services.
• Translation services and referrals to local interpreters, as
necessary.
• Verification of insurance coverage facilitating entry and
admissions to hospitals and other medical care providers.
• Special assistance regarding the coordination of direct
claims payment.
• Emergency funds transfers.• Coordination of embassy and consulate services.
• Management, arrangement and coordination of emergency medical transportation, as necessary.• Management, arrangement and coordination of repatriation of remains.
• Knowledgeable legal referral assistance.
• Coordination of securing bail bonds and other legal documents.
• Special assistance in replacing lost or stolen travel documents,including passport.
• Courtesy assistance in securing incidental aid and othertravel-related services.
• Special assistance in making arrangements for interrupted or disrupted travel plans resulting from emergency situations, including:
1. The return of unaccompanied travel companions.
2. Travel to the bedside of a stranded person.
3. Rearrangement of ticketing due to accident or illnessand other travel-related emergencies.
4. The return of stranded motor vehicles and relatedpersonal items.

Covered Services Per Volunteer Benefits
Medical Accident or Sickness. . . . . . . $250,000 Max.
Deductible. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . None
Coverage (%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100%
Permanent Total Disability . . . . . . . . . . . . $250,000
Emergency Medical Evacuation . . . . . . . . $150,000
Accidental Death & Dismemberment. . . . . . $250,000
Repatriation of Remains . . . . . . . . . . . . . $150,000
Medical Assistance Services . . . . . . . . . . . MEDEX


Quick Tips for Filing a Claim
Policy 6404-54-47
MEDEX Code CHB

1. Notify your Global Village team leader of any accident
or need for medical attention as soon as possible.
2. Your team leader will supply you with an accident claim
form that needs to be completed and sent to Habitat
Claims Unit c/o Chubb Group of Insurance Co. Details
are on the form.
3. Be certain the attending physician completes the
“Physician’s Report” section of the claim form, including
diagnostic/treatment, signature and date.
4. Obtain a copy of the hospital/clinic invoices and make
copies of all prescriptions/invoices and submit same
with the claim form.
5. Have your team leader sign the form.
6. Claims must be submitted within 90 days from the date
of the accident/injury/illness.

Important: If assistance is needed in identifying an appropriate
medical provider or facility, contact MEDEX at (800)
527-0218 or collect at (410) 453-6330. MEDEX code is CHB.

Urgent Care and Evaluation: If emergency evacuation
and/or urgent care are needed, contact MEDEX immediately.
MEDEX will make all the appropriate arrangements.
See phone numbers above.

Note: Even if the claim amount is considered too small for
submission, or it is determined by diagnostic evaluation that
the condition may not be serious or requires no further medical
treatment at the time, the Global Village program and its
underwriter recommend completing all of the above steps in
order to establish a basis for admission of a valid claim later.
Toll free numbers are available in some countries as listed
below. You should call collect if the toll free number is
not accepted by the local telephone exchange.

International Toll Free Telephone Access Numbers
Australia and . . . . . . 1-800-127-907
Tasmania
Austria . . . . . . . . . . 0-800-29-5810
Belgium. . . . . . . . . . 0800-1-7759
Brazil . . . . . . . . . . 0800-891-2734
China. . . . . . . 108888-800-527-0218
(North : Beijing, etc)
China. . . . . . . 10811-800-527-0218
(South : Shanghai, etc)
Egypt. . . . 510-0200-1-877-569-4151
(inside Cairo)
Egypt. . . 02-510-0200-1-877-569-4151
(outside of Cairo)
Finland. . . . . . . . . . 0800-114402
France and Monaco. . . 0800-90-8505
Germany. . . . . . . . 0800-1-811401
Greece . . . . . . . 00-800-4412-8821
Hong Kong . . . . . . . . 800-96-4421
Indonesia. . . . . . 001-803-1471-0621
Israel . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-941-0172
Italy, Vatican City . . . . . 800-877-204
and San Marino
Japan . . . . . . . . . . 00531-11-4065
Mexico. . . . . . . . 001-800-101-0061
Netherlands. . . . . . . 0800-022-8662
New Zealand. . . . . . . 0800-44-4053
Philippines. . . . . . 1-800-1-111-0503
Portugal. . . . . . . . . . 0800-84-4266
Republic of . . . . . . . 1-800-409-529
Ireland (Eire)
Republic of . . . . . . . . 0800-9-92379
South Africa
Singapore. . . . . . . . . 800-1100-452
South Korea . . . . 00798-1-1-004-7101
Spain and Majorca. . . . 900-98-4467
Switzerland and . . . . . 0800-55-6029
Liechtenstein
Thailand. . . . . . 001-800-11-471-0661
Turkey. . . . . . . . 00-800-4491-4834
UK and. . . . . . . . . . 0800-252-074
Northern Ireland, Isle of Jersey,
the Channel Isles and Isle of Man
United States. . . . . . 1-800-527-0218
Canada, Puerto Rico,
U.S. Virgin Islands, Bermuda

MEDEX Assistance Coordination Centers
United States. . . . . [1] 410-453-6330
Baltimore, Maryland

United Kingdom. . [44] 1-273-223000
Brighton, England

Notes:
• When a toll free number is not available, travelers are encouraged to call MEDEX collect. The country code precedes the phone number in brackets. The toll free numbers listed are available only when physically calling from within the country.
• The toll free Israel line is not available from payphones and there is a local access charge.
• The toll free Italy, Vatican City and San Marinonumbers have a local charge for access.
• The toll free Japan line is available only from touch-tone phones (including pay phones) equippedfor international dialing.
• If calling from Mexico on a pay phone, the payphone must be a La Datel pay phone.

Global Vilage department : P.O. Box 369 Americus, GA 31709-0369 USA
phone: (229) 924-6935, Ext. 2549; (800) 422-4828 in the U.S. or Canada fax: (267) 295-8714 e-mail: gv@habitat.org www.habitat.org/gv
3405/2M/GV/12-06

Fundraising Ideas

Fundraising is all about getting out the word – raising awareness. Your trip shouldn’t be a secret. Give friends and family the opportunity to be involved in your excitement and to contribute towards helping a family in need.

You aren’t asking for money as much as you are helping meet the needs of people….the need of those to give AND the need of those who will be receiving. We often think that the people receiving the house are the ones "in need" - but aren't we all in need at one level or another? I know for myself that the act of just going on the team is filling a need of mine. Working with a homeowner fills a need. And for those who can't go on a team, giving towards those homeowners or a team member fills a need of theirs.

Whether those you ask actually donate towards your trip and the work of Habitat or not, they STILL will know more about what Habitat is doing to help eliminate poverty housing in our world. And that’s cool too.

Set an "awareness-raising" goal along with a "fund-raising" goal - see how many people you can make aware of the housing need in this country along with how much money you raise. And no matter what, make it fun-raising as well!

Awareness/Fundraising is a big challenge for some individuals. But once you start you may find, as many previous team members have, that the response is enthusiastic and supportive. Don't limit yourself or your sponsors - there's no harm in going OVER your goal!!

Ready to start raising? Start reading, and get going!!

These ideas are ones that other team members in the past have used and willing to share. Pick the ones that suit you the best. And if you come up with something totally different, let me know so that I can share that as well.

TOP fundraising idea. It's the most often used, the most successful, and easiest.
“The Letter” – sent by email and/or snail mail.
I don’t know what else to call it. But it works. Has worked over and over and over again. The response to it always surprises those who use it. Below, there is a sample letter. You will obviously have to make changes to personalize it. But you get the idea. Some folks have made this letter quite humorous, entertaining, and certainly educational. Be creative - use as much of this sample letter as you want, but make sure it has your "voice" so it doesn't sound like some form letter. Just come up with your own style, personality, and then send it off. You will be amazed at how well it works!!

We once had a team member join a team very late… she only had two weeks to raise money and pack! She didn’t have time for the usual “letter”, and just sent out a quick message to everyone in her email address book explaining briefly what she was doing and ended with “I don’t have time to explain any more right now, but you know Habitat, you know me, so send money NOW….I’ll fill you in when I get back!” And, she had her whole $2000 promised or sent within 48 hours!!!

As Millard Fuller, Habitat’s founder, once said, “I’ve tried asking and I’ve tried not asking. Not asking never works. Asking usually does.”

The sample letter has two important points for you to consider about your own letter:

1) awareness/education: it tells a little bit about how HFH works, the team, and how the monies will be used.

2) the process: it also gives specific information about how they can contribute.


Additional Tips:
aIf you’re sending letters or cards by regular mail instead of email, it is a good idea to include a self-addressed stamped envelope - that helps make sure they have the correct address and that they send the check to Habitat for Humanity International's GV Department, not the general fund (it takes forever to locate a mis-designated check!) They can also call the office or go online with a credit card donation. People really like personalized letters in the mail. It costs more in time and stamps than an email, but they are very well received, and get results! There is a greater chance for delays in sending in donations by mail or even for them to get lost in the mail, so it would be better if they actually make their donation online or over the phone. But if they would prefer to send a check, make sure that the instructions for coding the check are accurate.

aIf you use the GV website (see the post called "Setting up your GV fundraising web page") for sending out an email request, you can use this same letter, and those you send it to can access the online website for donating right from a link that is sent along with your letter. They still get their tax-deductible receipt. You are also notified immediately, by email, that a donation has been made so that you can keep track and write to thank them.

aIn addition to or instead of, consider alternative giving for an upcoming graduation, birthday, anniversary or retirement. Put your letter into your announcement, asking for support for this team in lieu of a card or gift. Let colleagues know of your plans after retirement and suggest a monetary donation to Habitat instead of the usual plaque or watch.

More ideas after the sample letter!

Sample Letter

January 2008

Dear friend,

Greetings from under an umbrella in Oregon!

What an amazing community I live in, and what beautiful friends and family encircle me. I would like to share something wonderful and exciting that is happening with me.

The upcoming holiday seasons are for giving thanks for our multiple blessings, and to be reminded of the hope that we have for peace in our world. Hope, however, is difficult in the hearts of those who struggle daily with the affects of poverty. Living in leaky, disease-ridden shacks in unsafe environments is not how parents want to raise their children. They, like all of us, want their families to be healthy and free of danger. Part of that is having a simple, decent, affordable home in which to live.

I've been invited to participate in a Habitat for Humanity short-term mission trip this summer. As you may know, Habitat sends mission teams all over the world to help build houses for people in need. And I've been invited to go to Mozambique!

All the team members are raising funds for building materials and the expenses to make this all happen. Once we get to Mozambique, we will be working side-by-side with future homeowners and others in the village to build "emergency housing". This is a special program where Habitat is partnering with other non-profit agencies to address the phenomenally growing number of children that have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. There are over 500,000 orphans in Mozambique alone! What makes these homes that I will be building even more special is that they will house children under the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC)Program.

You can read more about this amazing program at our team's BLOG site: http://www.gv8125mozambique.blogspot.com/

There will be 15 people from the US and Canada on this team, including me!! My personal challenge is to raise awareness of the great need in Mozambique, and to raise the funds that will be used to cover the expenses of the trip (insurance, housing, travel, meals in the village, etc) , as well as a minimum donation of $500 for building materials towards the houses and Habitat for Humanity's housebuilding program.

I am asking for your support in this endeavor. Any amount would be appreciated and you will receive a tax-deductible receipt. You can even charge it to your credit card!! Instructions on how to donate are at the end of this letter.

As always, even if you can’t support the team financially, we ask for support through your prayers and well-wishes.

I will be happy to share stories and pictures with all my supporters when I return so that you can hear about all that we accomplished.

Thank you for considering "joining" this team through your "investment" in me and the children in Mozambique.

By the way, for you folks that can make it, I’m hosting a wine & cheese tasting party at my house, Friday night, 7pm. Good music, as always. Your donation for this opportunity will go to the Mozambique fund. Give me a call if you can come so that I’ll have plenty to share!

In partnership and with great hope,

Your name

How To Donate:

YPlease make out checks to Habitat for Humanity International, put my name, my ID# xxxx-xxxx, & "Mozambique GV 8125" in the “memo” portion at the bottom, and mail it in the envelope provided to Global Village. Make sure your current address is on the check because that is where your tax-deductible receipt will be sent.

YOr, you can call the Habitat-Global Village office at 1-800-HABITAT, extension 7530 to give them your credit card information. Make sure you give them the trip event number (GV815) and my name and ID# xxxx-xxxx.

YOr, you can donate online. Go to www.habitat.org/gv. Click on the words to the right, "make a donation in support of a Global Village trip". Fill out all the information, including my event number and ID# (above). If you do not receive your tax-deductible receipt in the mail within a few days, let me know.

encl.: self-addressed return envelope

***************************************************************************************************************

OTHER FUNDRAISING SUGGESTIONS

Here’s a few more that other folks have used. Check out #1 – it has worked very successfully, and it’s fun. Some of these ideas can be incorporated in your informational letter as a way of raising money and awareness. Also, don't keep all the fundraising fun to yourself - ask family, friends and co-workers to choose one of these ideas as a way to support you - they may especially like #7, #8, #9, #10, or #11.

1) Sell “shares” of love or “shares” of hope. This works well with business or professional folks. They sell the shares for whatever they think will work: $10/share, $1/share, $100/share… whatever appeals to you and your “investors”. Folks can buy however many shares they want. You can even make up a “share certificate” to give to them. Then promise all of these “stockholders” that you will have a stockholders' meeting when you get back and give them a report on their “investment”. This “report” can be delivered at a dinner in your home, and/or can be mailed out. The report might include photos of the houses you worked on, the new homeowner families, things about your trip, how Habitat has brought hope or love into the lives of those involved, etc. Sometimes team members serve an actual dinner or dessert at this meeting that represents where they have been – like sourdough pancakes from Alaska or kiwi fruit from New Zealand, or whatever you like to do to make it fun.

2) Some people like something more tangible. “Sell” items for building the Habitat house, such as $10 for a bag of cement, $25 for window shutters, $50 replaces some worn out hand tools, $100 concrete foundation. One former team member even sold her pains! (“$10 will help me not think about my hammered fingers, $25 will help me smile even with a sore back, $100 will want to make me sing instead of complain about my aching muscles”).

3) Challenges: for example: “Every dollar you donate will be a nail I’ll pound at our local affiliate, or "for every $10, I'll bring a plate of cookies to the office".

4) Sell your "talents" - "when the office raises $250, I'll sing at lunch", "when my basketball team raises $500, I'll host the pizza party", etc.

5) Ask for sponsors in your self-designed “thon” of some sort (I’ll be walking a mile, swimming a lap, etc for every $xx donated)

6) Promise other groups, (your church, Sunday school class, civic organization) a presentation upon your return in exchange for a "hope offering" now. (this is somewhat like selling “hope shares” and having a “stockholders meeting” when you come back)

7) Non-Bake Sale Bake Sale - This one is FUN and EASY to do for those of you who like to bake/prepare a specialty item (breads, pies, tamales, sushi, etc), but don't like bake sales: Tell your friends, neighbors, office workers…put in your church bulletin… that you are going to be baking on a certain day and what you will be making. Set your price, take orders for that item in advance and let them know when they can pick it up (or when you'll deliver). For example: "I'm preparing some of my infamous sushi platters this Saturday (or every Saturday in January) for $25/platter. If you want to enjoy the best ever made while also helping eliminate poverty housing in Mozambique, please place your order with me by Thursday. You can pick it up at my house any time after 5pm, or I'll meet you at the grocery store parking lot at 6pm for an extra $5 delivery charge." And remind them, they can CHARGE IT!! (they go to the website and donate online or do it over the phone at Global Village). By taking orders, you already have your market, you know exactly how much to make, you make only the kind of delicacy you want, and you don't have to stand around at a bake sale table in front of the grocery store! If you want, especially if you are making large quantities, you can deduct your costs from what you bring in and donate the profit. This kind of fund raising is also very enjoyable to do with family & friends who would like to help you do the baking/preparation as well. Hey, do you have a Valentine cookie or candy recipe that you want to sell in advance?

8) Along the same line, there are those that have a "specialty talents" in other areas: offering house repairs for a few Saturday afternoons, cleaning, foot massages, sewing a specialty design, raffling a quilt, etc. Sometimes the project doesn't have to be complete before the trip. IE: sell raffles based on the quilt design, and tell them when it will be done (before Christmas!); or, the house painting you do may not be until you get back, but you could receive payment in advance; or your babysitting, housecleaning, plant care may start now and continue on when you get back - but you get paid for it all in advance. We all have marketable talents, so figure out how to sell yours!

9) Host a dinner, dessert, or wine & cheese tasting, in your home with your family, friends, co-workers. Tell them you are asking $5, $10, whatever you think is reasonable for your crowd to donate to your trip fund. If you like, you can deduct the costs of your food, and then donate the remainder, or you can donate all of it. If they give you cash, you will then write a check for all the cash your receive and send it in and you will get the receipt. If someone in attendance wants to donate and wants a receipt for themselves, that can be done as well. They just have to write the check to HFHI and you send that it along with other checks you receive as donations (code each check correctly as per the directions). The hosting of these parties can be a weekly or monthly event if you like. People look forward to your parties! Have others in your office or family host the parties at their home as well. Make sure you have handouts available on information about what your team is doing.... something that explains the need. Maps, pictures...it all helps.

10) Host a holiday (Valentine's, Easter) cookie decorating and/or baking party. Tell participants that you are asking for a donation – you set the minimum amount. You can supply all the pre-baked cookies and decorations, or ask them to bring some of their favorites as well. The information in #8 as to what to do with the funds is the same for this situation.

11) Host a garden tea party. Sell your plant starters, bulbs, cuttings. Knowing it's a donation for your team will usually bring a better-than-usual price. They can give cash, or write a check if they want a receipt.


Be creative – be YOU. And share your ideas.

Meet the 2008 Mozambique Team!!

This highly imaganitive, creative, and full-of-fun team is headed to Mozambique to participate in an innovate program launched by Habitat for Humanity in Mozambique to meet the challenge of housing for the increasing number of orphans and vulnerable children there.
Enjoy "meeting" each other!

Before starting out with the members of the team that will be coming from the US, let's meet our partners in Mozambique. First is Magaia - he has been helping the team leaders coordinate this trip from the very beginning and making many preparations for the team in-country. Here's Magaia's profile: HFH Mozambique Church Relations and Volunteer Coordinator, Elifal Moeses Magaia, was born in 1978 in Maputo. Magaia has been the volunteer coordinator for HFH-MZ since May 2007. Magaia is well suited to this role as he speaks Portuguese, English, and Shangana, and enjoys the challenges that hosting teams from all over the world presents. He is currently attending law school, now in his 4th year, and has previously worked as a travel consultant with LAM (Mozambican Airlines), and a volunteer health trainer for the Peace Corps. He comes from a Christian background, his father being a Bishop at the Mozambican National Church ‘The Good Shepherd.’ This has led to an interest in singing, especially gospel music in church as well as jazz, afro-jazz and hip-hop. Magaia also enjoys reading the Bible, having attended Bible School for 3 years and is also a qualified Sunday School teacher. Another of Magaia’s passions is watching football, supporting Manchester United for some reason! He has a daughter, Kaizia, who is 3yrs old and with whom he adores spending time with.



Another partner is Mark Estes, Country Director for Mozambique. Having worked with Mark in Asia Pacific for a couple of years, Bob and Leslie are confident that Mozambique's program has top-notch leadership, and are looking forward to seeing him again and meeting Marcia. Maybe even seeing Mark in his new role as Dad! Or, if the timing is a little off, maybe the Labor and Delivery nurse on our team will get to do more than build houses! Here's more info on Mark: A native of the USA’s Southeast region, Mark left his business career in 1997 to apply his skills and experiences to the work of HFHI in Asia Pacific, where he served in a variety of roles from the Pacific Islands to Central and South Asia and South East Asia. Mark received his BS degree in 1986 and in July 2007 completed a 3 year MA in Organizational Leadership with a focus on International Organizational Development through Eastern University’s Pathway’s to Leadership course. Mark’s overarching work with HFH organizations as been to broaden visions and strengthen HFH national programs to grow exponentially as part of HFHI’s global strategies and vision to see “” A World Where Everyone has a Decent Place to Live”. Mark is married to Marcia Regina Isola, from Brazil, who relocated to Vietnam in 2007 as Mark completed 10 years of work in Asia with HFHI. They relocated to Mozambique in October 2007. Mark and Marcia are expecting their first child on 24 June 2008. Mark enjoys travel, scuba diving, trekking, softball, photography, reading and contemporary jazz and classical music. Mark is passionate about connecting people from around the globe to the mission of Habitat for Humanity International as part of his spiritual journey of serving others.

Leslie's note: sorry about the sizing of Magaia and Mark's pictures - it was the best I could do with what I had! But you can click on their pictures, as well as any others, and make them larger. Here's the rest of our team:


Hi Everyone! My name is Margot Adelle Orr. I work as an architect and urban designer doing work all over the UK, Europe and Asia. Currently I am working on a project where we are transforming the industrial waterfront of Edinburgh, Scotland into a fun destination with a marina, shops, waterfront boardwalk, cafes, restaurants, and more.
I went to graduate school in St. Louis, MO and undergrad in St. Paul, MN – in combination with being from Wisconsin – I would say I know the Midwest well! However, through graduate school, I lived in Buenos Aires and Helsinki for 6 months each. There is so much to learn from travel! I have been lucky enough to keep up with my adventuring after graduation and took most of my holiday in China last year. The picture is of me on a terrace in Shanghai overlooking the famous TV tower.
My favorite thing to do is to try new things. With that in mind, I am extremely excited about our trip to Mozambique! I think this will be a chance to immerse ourselves in another culture in a way that is difficult to do as a tourist. I can’t wait to try any and all of the cultural experiences that we will have the occasion to participate in. I am very appreciative of this opportunity and look forward to meeting everyone!

Hi fellow travelers! I am Holly Grubb. I'm a computer consultant. My job takes me all over the U.S. but I call Ohio home. Currently I am working a contract in Chicago.
I love to travel, see the world, experience new cultures and meet new people. I also like hooking up with dear friends (Bob and Leslie) and doing all of the above.
Since I work at a desk all day, the physical activity of building homes is very therapeutic. When not on a GV trip, reading is my stress relief. I am a Habitat junkie. I have been going on GV teams since 1998. (the pix is of me in Ethiopia with my new little friend, Afretta). I just can't seem to get enough! I am really looking forward to this new adventure in Mozambique and meeting all my new friends!

Kat Williams - I quit my corporate job four years ago and have found myself living in constant gratitude that I can continue to live both simply and extravagantly by traveling and seeing the world! Working with HFH is one of the best ways to realize my two of my passions: learning about other cultures and providing affordable housing to those who need it.
I've participated both domestically and internationally with Habitat for Humanity, most recently leading a trip to Pondicherry, India last August. I've been included on GV builds on the Cheyenne River Reservation in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, Lampang, Thailand, Taos New Mexico and for disaster relief efforts at Camp Hope in New Orleans. I am thrilled to be traveling to Africa with such an extraordinary and enthusiastic group of people. I look forward to sharing this incredible adventure with you!

Hello New Friends. My name is Diana Ambrose and I will be arriving to Mozambique from St. Augustine Florida. I have been living in Fl for over 10 years now. I work as a Guidance Counselor in an elementary school and love my job. I am so looking forward to participating in something that directly benefits children in Mozambique! I am a passionate, loving, enthusiastic person! I was born and raised in Michigan and have had the fortune to travel to many wonderful places around our beautiful planet. I love outdoor recreation, reading, gardening, and remodling my house. I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Jamaica and am looking forward to being exposed to another new culture and way of life in Mozambique.

I'm Judy Bell and I'll be joining my "little" brother, Bob, and Leslie, my favorite sister-in-law, on our upcoming trip to Mozambique. This Habitat experience will be an important family milestone for me as well as a great opportunity to share the kind of volunteering that Bob and Leslie have been raving about for years. I spent 25 years working as a busy physician in Northern California. However in 2001 my husband, Terry, and I decided we'd had enough of beautiful weather and crowded freeways and decided to relocate to a friendly small town in North Idaho. I continued some part-time doctoring until 2 years ago when I took down my shingle completely. Now I hike and bike and spend as much grandparent time as I can with our daughter's family in South Carolina. We divide our time mowing and watering and plowing our bit of property and enjoying gorgeous mountain views and an occasional moose or two. I've been talking for years about joining a Habitat Build and now I finally have the time to make that happen. Looking forward to meeting you all.

Barbara Pressler - My background is a B.S. in commercial art and a minor in photography. I studied classical piano growing up and have a great appreciation of all kinds of music. My art background evolved into designing gardens and landscapes . I love to play in the dirt and watch a beautiful landscape grow from nothing. Its a beautiful thing..I live in Sandpoint,Idaho, up in the panhandle around a breathtaking 40 mile lake that beckons me to embrace nature and all its Godliness . My job creates the means to travel and meet indigenous peoples all over. I've spent extended trips to India ,Kashmir,Australia, NZ. PNG.MEX. I have 2 children and 5 grandchildren.I'm 69 yrs. young with an insatiable appetite for adventure. I also love to see the happiness in a person's eyes by doing something for them. As you can see I love to be happy and bring happiness. I look forward to you all.

Bob - I have been a tool dresser, potato planter, log peeler, dog musher, glacier guide, school principal/teacher, Habitat trainer, and dad. I'm known for telling stories, which I'm not really sure is accurate. I like to spend my free time watching animals, especially in Alaska. And I love to be in the outdoors. This picture is of my youngest son and I on our recent trek into the base camp of Everest. When I grow up, I want to be content with what I've done in my life. My birthday is on the same day each year, usually in the middle of the second run of sockeye salmon going up the Kenai River.

Leslie - I have been an Alaska Court clerk, director of youth camps, built my own log cabin, taught 8th grade, built/remodeled/demolished a few houses, served as full-time volunteer for HFHI as a Global Village trainer in Asia Pacific, and as a team leader. My most full-filling, ever-changing job has been, and still is, that of a mom. I enjoy spending my time with Bob in most of the things he does, especially in Alaska and leading Habitat teams around the world. I always look forward to meeting new people on teams, and experiencing different cultures with them. I can be easily bribed with ice cream and can eat more of it than anyone, our three sons excluded (they learned from the best).

Hey Ya’ll! My name is Lindsey McCormick and I’m twenty years old. I grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina. This fall, I will be a junior at Florida State University, where I am majoring in secondary math education. I am a very outgoing person and I am always up for anything. I am very close with my family, as well as my friends from home and college. I love being outside and enjoying the sunshine. I cannot wait to finally get to Mozambique. I am involved with lots of community service through my major, my sorority (Alpha Chi Omega), as well as FSU, and I am so excited to have another opportunity to help others. I hope to make a difference in the lives of the orphans while I make new friends and explore the world. Can’t wait to finally meet everyone! :)


Howdy everyone! i’m nancy , 61 years on the planet, that I can recall.
my number one calling is definitely mom---to 2 sons, kippy(italy) and aaron (california). 3 acquired kids---peg(denver) penny(reno) and jim(denver). also have 5 exchange kids—magnus (sweden—who, with his family donated a whole orphan house!), barbara (italy), virginie (france), luca (italy) and ania(greenland). also am Mom-2 to leslie and bob’s kids matt(hawaii), lars and anders(both oregon). that adds up to a baker’s dozen. 6 children-in-law, 16 grandchildren, 4 greatgranchildren. you can imagine my travel needs. it is my mission to feed and hug kids everywhere.
my second number one calling is wife. bobby and i have been married 27 years and i’ve loved the adventure and the man. first husband didn’t work out so well.
i love nursing, my job of 39 years. i have all kinds of experience but lots of years in labor and delivery. let me tell you a few stories.
i have a psychiatrist named bernina, my sewing machine, who counsels with me often. i am very “outdoors”; the colorado mountains are my present play ground. singing is my companion. i’ve never had nice nails. i talk way too much. i cry often and for all reasons. i write constantly. i do not believe in map boundaries, eating sweet potatoes, shoulds, oughts, inhibitions. i believe in hugging often, god, sleeping under stars, friends and family, work as beauty, life as a gift. my only fear of our upcoming trip is that i will not be able to leave.
i have a special talent---possum kissing. can’t wait to give you one. xoxoxox nan

Bobby Cole - I'm a shaman and a preacher, a prophet and a schemer, an artist and a poet,a teacher and a writer, a rambler and a story teller. I can build a wicked house and can find you in the wilderness if you lose your way. I am a good somato-therapist, a better dream weaver and a pretty fair friend. I used to be a lot of other things but, now I'm just an old fart.

Hello team - I am Chris Kelley, I live in Scarborough Maine, and I have been a mechanic working on tanks, commercial fishing boats, and heavy equipment. I’ve worked for a John Deere dealer as a marine engine salesman, customer service rep and sales rep. for Morbark.
I’ve been working at a friend’s rental store for the last five years. This year I am part time (on call). I am volunteering most of my time between friends and family and trying to catch up with long overdue chores at my place. I don’t know where I ever found time to work.
I like to spend time outdoors exploring new places, I’ve been on HFHGV trips to New Zealand 99, Alaska 99, Thailand 02, and Alaska 07. Bob and Leslie got me hooked on Alaska - there is so much to explore there that I know Ill go back for more adventures. Right now I am looking forward to meeting all of you in Mozambique. I’m sure it will be quite an adventure. Do they have ice cream in Mozambique? I can eat as much as Bob and Leslie’s sons can!

Hello all! My name is Jessica Burns. I am from Boulder Colorado whereI was born, raised, and continue to live…I guess I quite like it here! The outdoors and nature are huge for me, which is probably what has kept me in Colorado for so long! Anything from hiking, to rock climbing, kayaking, cycling, snowboarding – you name it, I either like it, or am without a doubt willing to give it a shot! (This however,does not include wind surfing, which I am destined to fail at despite repeated attempts.) Aside from athletics and nature, the rest goes to working with animals – my own and through work. I have spent the last 6 years working at a 24 hr emergency animal hospital and doing pet services on the side. I also have an amazing 5yr old husky that I rescued about three years ago. Despite her neurotic tendencies that seem to plague our daily interactions with one another, she is my best friend and she will be deeply missed while in Africa! An exciting recent progression in my life at the moment will be obtaining my degree in Zoology on the 12th of May of this year from CSU. After getting home from Africa, I plan on getting EMT certified and then applying to medical school, not vet…medical. 6 years at vets office has further instilled my love for animals, but also shown me that I would prefer a career in working with people…which is what ultimately brought me to HFHI. My goal, in whatever career path I choose, is to do work in poverty stricken areas where help is needed most. While I have done a fair bit of traveling – study abroad in Brisbane,Australia, family centered in New Zealand (where I visit to every couple of years), first generation in this country on my mom's side from S. Africa, I have not experienced the true nature of the world's state first hand. I am ready to have my comfort zone completely redefined! Africa is of particular appeal given my family heritage there and the tease that I have been to S. Africa more than any other country but only as a small child, and so with those trips left not a single memory! That is not saying anything of the wildlife, which,being zoology trained, will be amazing to experience first hand! I can't wait to begin my journey, start building, meet new people, and let this be the first of many trips of this nature.


Hello Team! I'm Lauren Gioia and I live in New York City I grew up in Buffalo, New York and I'm excited to be joining the trip to Mozambique with Sarah, a great friend that I have known since kindergarten! I work at Sotheby's auction house and I'm fascinated by history and different cultures. I've been lucky enough to see many parts of the world and I've volunteered with Habitat in NYC and also as part of a Global Village trip to Honduras in 2005. I love to be outside, see new places and meet new people. I can't wait to up to meet everyone in Mozambique – see you in a little over a month!!! (editor's note: to see her when she's not so bundled, see next picture!)



Hello all! I'm Sarah. I live in New York City, but originally from Buffalo, NY. I am a third grade teacher at an all boys school here in the city. I have been teaching for ten years and am about to take a break from education for a year before I begin graduate school in the fall of '09. I am looking forward to a year of new experiences and a chance to explore some interests outside of the educational world. I think that this trip will be a terrific way to kick things off. My dear friend Lauren loved her Global Village trip to Honduras a couple of years ago and I am so excited to see what it is all about. I can't wait to meet all of you and also meet members of the community in Mozambique.

Hello team. I'm Sean Murphy. I spent the first 19 years of my life in New Jersey, but have been living, working, and most importantly fishing on the Southwest coast of Florida for the past 8 months. I will be attending University of colorado next fall, with no clue in my area of studies. Flying to other parts of the world has been a passion of mine since my first overseas trip to Ireland. Only to be amplified by my time in China and Tibet, and throughout my last unbelievable trip to India where I spent two weeks building with HFH and the amazing Kat Williams, who is joining all of us in Mozambique. I truly cannot wait for the upcoming chance to meet all of you, live and work with native Mozambicans, pretend I am Steve Irwin at Kruger, and the numerous other experiences exclusive to building with Habitat. So, until we meet, safe travels, best wishes and enjoy the times.