The founders of Habitat For Humanity International (HFHI), the late Millard Fuller and his wife Linda, believed that everyone needs a place that is conducive for living. This passion has helped establish Habitat as an organization that goes beyond housing; it helps build lives.

“A world where everyone has a decent place to live.” This is the vision that Habitat For Humanity Philippines (HFH Philippines) has embodied since the 1980’s. Since 1988, HFH Philippines has played an active role in providing decent, durable and affordable housing for families in need. With faith as the foundation, the organization’s community development efforts are driven by the mission of promoting Christian values and nurturing the spirit of community, sharing, self-help, and caring for others.

According to Imee Pagdanganan, Volunteer Manager for HFH Philippines, “In promoting volunteerism, you should love God and love others and the volunteering bug or habiti-tis will follow.”

Good Houses for Good Living

Although the houses are not available free of cost, they are sold at no profit. HFH Philippines makes sure that the houses are of decent quality, built to withstand climate change and time, and are affordable to the poor. The house designs vary from row houses to mid-rise residencies, all ranging from roughly Php40,000 to Php60,000 depends on the community where the project is.

Such a housing project aims to provide a renewed face to Philippines’ urban areas, giving opportunities to the poor, and building and re-building lives.

Committed Volunteer Network

HFH Philippines aims to build 10,000 houses in a year and volunteers are welcome to join the team. You can lend a helping hand and volunteer towards onsite and offsite projects. For onsite projects, you can participate in house-building projects especially in Calauan, Laguna. For offsite duties, HFH Philippines invites professionals including photographers, graphic artists, and writers to extend to support towards promotional work.

It is refreshing to note that HFH Philippines is not an organization of words; it is an organization of action. With an active and committed volunteer network, HFH Philippines has built more than 24,000 houses nationwide, with 15 affiliates, 6 local management councils (LMCs) and 2 project-coordinating councils (PCCs). HFH Philippines is constantly working towards providing a solution, a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

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Interviewed and written by: Nyssa Bernal, UNV Communications Intern
Edited by Taruna Goel, Online Volunteer