Temuco, Chile
In early November of 2004, sixteen fabulous and flexible volunteers from Canada, USA and Australia met in Santiago to become the first international Habitat for Humanity brigade to Chile (for more on Habitat, see below). We then flew south to Temuco in the region of Araucanîa, where we spent the following weeks living in the Hogar Bautista (a Baptist shelter for young girls), and working with the families and 'Maestros' (skilled carpenters) at a construction site in Pedro de Valdiva building seven 2-bedroom additions to existing Habitat built homes. The work included excavation, lots of cement mixing, pouring the foundations, and assembling wood frame walls and trusses (which hold up the roofs).

On our 'off' weekend, we travelled south by bus to Pucon for some rest and relaxation. Some of us also climbed one of the most active volcanos in South America - Volcan Villarrica (2,847m) - so much for R&R! Although it was springtime there, the weather varied a bit. If the sun was out, it was pretty hot (not much ozone over that area), otherwise at times it was overcast or raining.

Our hard-working brigade exceeded all expectations by raising all seven additions by the end of the second week (when the goal was to complete only one). It was an incredible experience to work with all these people - the brigade, all the jeffas (leaders), maestros, architects, and families.

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Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. The organization seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from around the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.

HFHI was founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller along with his wife Linda. Since it’s humble beginnings in Americus, Georgia, Habitat has steadily grown into a worldwide, grass-root movement with more than 2,100 active affiliates in 100 countries.

Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to a down payment and mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor, sweat equity, into building their Habitat house and the houses of others. The houses are sold to partner families at no profit, financed with affordable, no-interest loans. The homeowners´ mortgage payments are used to build houses for other families in need. Habitat has built more than 175,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1 million people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter.

For more information, please visit the Habitat for Humanity website, the Habitat Global Village website,or the Habitat para la Humanidad (Chile) website.