At a special open house tomorrow, Bermuda Overseas Missions will be unveiling plans for two new Habitat for Humanity summer trips.

“This year we are going to be a little bit more adventurous,” said David Thompson, president of Bermuda Overseas Missions, a local charity. “This August we are planning a trip to build a home near Recife, in Northeast Brazil and in the winter we will be going to Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.”

Mr. Thompson said these locations were chosen partly for their climates, and also because of their level of need.

“We have been in discussion with Habitat for Humanity about where the most need is,” he said. “It really is a need-driven mission. India has been a big focus this year for Habitat. Former President Jimmy Carter led a big team in India. There is a very inadequate housing situation there, and the same goes for Brazil.”

Mr. Thompson has been on five different Habitat for Humanity trips, and over the years has seen interest in the programme grow.

“We have had such an incredible response in the last couple of years,” he said. “Last time we took 50 people to Romania. We are trying to cap it a little less this time for the logistics side of it.”

Bermuda Overseas Missions is currently in talks with the Government to have more young Bermudians go on the trip. Last year, 22 Bermudian students went along.

“I am expecting we will probably have at least five students through the Department of Youth and Sport coming on this trip,” he said. “I am hoping we can broaden the horizon for our young people.”

The main thrust of the Habitat for Humanity trips is building houses. Families to receive a home from Habitat are chosen by the size of the family, their need, present living conditions and future prospects.

“Habitat goes through a fairly lengthy process of evaluating each family who is slated for a house,” said Mr. Thompson. “Also the families pay Habitat by putting in sweat equity. They have to build on other projects. In Romania families have to donate 1,000 hours to other homes before they even get on the list.

“Once they are eligible they have to put in at least that amount of time again, and not necessarily on their own house.”

Once a family is given a new house, Habitat establishes a value for it. The family pays Habitat back through an interest free loan. Habitat also holds a second mortgage on the property, so the family can’t sell the house for profit.

People from all over the world come to help build homes for Habitat, but Mr. Thompson said the upcoming trip won’t be all work. There will be some sightseeing.

“When we went to Botswana we went to a delta and looked at animals in the wild,” he said. “In Romania we went to Castle Dracula. We try and do things as a group and enjoy ourselves and enjoy whatever the country has to offer and get to know the people.”

For many people who work with Habitat for Humanity, making friends with the locals is a big part of it.

“We live with the locals or at a small hotel,” said Mr. Thompson. “We eat with the locals. Families join us in building the homes. We get to understand how they live. It is a truly rewarding experience. Sometimes people ask us why we don’t simply send money. Well, you don’t always know where the money goes when you send it. With this programme, you get back as much as you give. You really enrich your life. You make life long friends with these people.”

Some other Bermuda Habitat for Humanity projects have been in Montana, Bolivia, Bostwana and Romania. Mr. Thompson said you don’t have to have carpentry skills to help, although that is always appreciated.

“You just have to have a willingness to help others and a willingness to work in a team,” he said.

“We are looking for team spirit. It is amazing how people come together, young, old, black, white. It doesn’t matter what race or creed people are — they all come together.

“To see people working together is wonderful. It makes you believe in humanity.”

The open house will be held at Mount St. Agnes from 4 to 6 p.m. on February 24.

It will give interested parties a chance to learn more about Habitat for Humanity.

“People will learn about the upcoming builds this year,” Mr. Thompson said. “We are looking for people to sign up. We have also got some small wooden houses people can glue together.

“It will also be an opportunity to meet some of the folks in our charity. We are hoping to bring more awareness of what is going on.”

Bermuda Overseas Missions is also fundraising to buy materials and tools for the upcoming projects, and also to help send volunteers on these missions.

“Some people can’t afford the $3,000 needed to go on the trip, but have a genuine desire to help,” he said, “so we would try to raise money to sponsor them.”

[box] For more information about Habitat for Humanity or Bermuda Overseas Missions, contact Mr. Thompson at 295-1078 or email david[AT]ams.bm.