Japanese volunteers lay bricks to build Umgababa house

A WARNER Beach backpackers has played host to a group of 19 Japanese volunteers, who have worked tirelessly for two weeks to build a house in the nearby rural community.

The youth, aged between 19 and 21-years-old, are a Global Village team of the international organisation, Habitat for Humanity.

The Japanese university students will be spending two weeks in South Africa. Over this time they are building a house from scratch in the Umgababa area for locals.

Habitat for Humanity is a collaboration and a community. The international non-profit organisation works to break the cycle of poverty in developing countries around the world, including those suffering the detrimental affects of disasters. Entirely self-funded, Habitat for Humanity believes providing adequate and affordable shelter is the best way to fight poverty.

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By using holistic interventions that partner with home partners and stakeholders to build communities, members of the target communities also play leading roles in their own development.

The Japanese students voluntarily chose to become part of Habitat for Humanity. Groups of students, corporate groups or open groups are able to do the same, as long as the prospective group has more than 10 members, must meet a minimum fundraising target and be able to afford their travel. This particular group has given itself the same ‘Seeker’.

The group explained to the Sun that in the past, many of the members have travelled to other countries such as Thailand, India, Phillipines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Cambodia to build houses.

The members explained the time they spend in every country is different. In some countries they build a house, in others they work to build a community. If a given country’s house is not complete, the country uses a local construction crew who not only assist the travellers with the project, but will continue on with it if they have to leave before its completion.

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The Japanese team members remarked that they have really enjoyed what they’ve seen of South Africa. The temperature has been a favourite, and they are still amazed at the many different languages spoken and the many races that call this country home.

They spend their days between 8am and 5pm on the site, polishing their skills in bricklaying and everything else that goes into building a house. In their free time, they have gone on safari at Tala Game Reserve, where they were awe-struck at the sightings of giraffe and zebra and enjoyed trying their hand at traditional Zulu dancing. Still on the cards is a visit to Kwamashu township, along with an experience of the mainstay markets in Durban CBD. Locally, they are still looking forward to a trip to the beach when the weather permits.

South Africans should take a feather out the cap of these Japanese youth who have toured to a foreign country and without any ties to its people, culture or beliefs, set aside their own time, finances and through hard work and long hours, will leave the country better than they found it.

To get involved with Habitat for Humanity, visit habitat.org.za or Habitat for Humanity’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/habitatforhumanitysa/.

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