December 23, 2009
October 5, 2009
September 18, 2009
Join us and help by joining others
As we begin the new fiscal year, Habitat for Humanity Argentina is embarking on a new approach and an exciting challenge: to increase our impact by involving more and more volunteers. The strategic plan includes housing solutions and opportunities based entirely on volunteer support and the efforts of the families. In this way we hope to beat the financial difficulties all organizations are facing, and reach even more families in times of growing need.
The first step of this approach is to build awareness in our society of the huge numbers of families living in severely inadequate conditions, and encourage others to join together to work towards a solution. As part of this idea, during August 40 volunteers took to the streets of down-town Buenos Aires to give passers by flyers of our awareness campaign. This took place in the center of the City of Buenos Aires for the National Day of Solidarity and the following weekend in the Recoleta district. Over 3000 people went home with a Habitat for Humanity flyer, and over 50 posters were put up in strategic positions.
Immediately after this visibility campaign, in the neighbourhood of La Boca, in the City of Buenos Aires, we organized an exhibition of the housing situation and needs, in a run-down derelict building which HPHA purchased as part of its “Recycling Urban Homes” project. By turning the building into a “case show”, and with the help of volunteers who designed and produced posters of the situation around the country and city, we were able to provide an impressive experience which had an emotional impact on most of our visitors.
Finally, at this time of year we close our yearly “Homes Fund”, thanking all those who have trusted us over this past year to invest their donations (large or small) in our various projects. This, together with the Rotating Fund, makes our ongoing work possible! And we are pleased to see that the more than 300 families paying back into the Rotating Fund continue to work hard not only to pay on time, but also to be a part of community development in their neighbourhoodl
We invite all our readers to become a part of HPHA, as volunteers, donors, or by involving more people who want to say no to the country’s housing problem.
Ana Cutts, National Director.
The first step of this approach is to build awareness in our society of the huge numbers of families living in severely inadequate conditions, and encourage others to join together to work towards a solution. As part of this idea, during August 40 volunteers took to the streets of down-town Buenos Aires to give passers by flyers of our awareness campaign. This took place in the center of the City of Buenos Aires for the National Day of Solidarity and the following weekend in the Recoleta district. Over 3000 people went home with a Habitat for Humanity flyer, and over 50 posters were put up in strategic positions.
Immediately after this visibility campaign, in the neighbourhood of La Boca, in the City of Buenos Aires, we organized an exhibition of the housing situation and needs, in a run-down derelict building which HPHA purchased as part of its “Recycling Urban Homes” project. By turning the building into a “case show”, and with the help of volunteers who designed and produced posters of the situation around the country and city, we were able to provide an impressive experience which had an emotional impact on most of our visitors.
Finally, at this time of year we close our yearly “Homes Fund”, thanking all those who have trusted us over this past year to invest their donations (large or small) in our various projects. This, together with the Rotating Fund, makes our ongoing work possible! And we are pleased to see that the more than 300 families paying back into the Rotating Fund continue to work hard not only to pay on time, but also to be a part of community development in their neighbourhoodl
We invite all our readers to become a part of HPHA, as volunteers, donors, or by involving more people who want to say no to the country’s housing problem.
Ana Cutts, National Director.
Exhibition: boarding houses in La Boca
Habitat for Humanity Argentina organized on September 5, 6, 12 and 13 an exhibition in a run down derelict building in the La Boca neighborhood with the aim of making its visitors aware of the City of Buenos Aires housing problem and encouraging them to be part of the solution.
After a thorough survey, HPHA acquired this building as an opportunity to transform vacant or ill-used urban space into apartments to rent to low income families. The new building is being designed to respect and reinterpret the identity of this historic and characteristic neighborhood of the port area of Buenos Aires. Whilst HPHA continues to seek funding for the building, volunteers turned the run down house into an exhibition with pictures, information and the recreation of a “typical” squatter or informal rental room. With the help of two families who are already part of the “Guided Rents” programme, a wood and tin room was equipped with bedding, kitchenware, tables, childrens play pen and the necessary plastic covering to protect clothes from the dripping ceiling.
According to the last national census in 2001, more than 110,000 people live in informal rent situations (cheap hotels, abandoned buildings or tenement houses), paying a regular rent for squalid and inadequate conditions with a toilet shared by over 20 people. To rent in the city of Buenos Aires, a family needs formal employment, upfront payments and a property in the city of Buenos Aires as collateral. This, clearly, excludes most low income families. In addition, due to the excess demand for rents, descendants of neighbouring countries, or families with small children are most often discriminated.
A video of the exhibition can be found on
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpAd_QUIv08
After a thorough survey, HPHA acquired this building as an opportunity to transform vacant or ill-used urban space into apartments to rent to low income families. The new building is being designed to respect and reinterpret the identity of this historic and characteristic neighborhood of the port area of Buenos Aires. Whilst HPHA continues to seek funding for the building, volunteers turned the run down house into an exhibition with pictures, information and the recreation of a “typical” squatter or informal rental room. With the help of two families who are already part of the “Guided Rents” programme, a wood and tin room was equipped with bedding, kitchenware, tables, childrens play pen and the necessary plastic covering to protect clothes from the dripping ceiling.
According to the last national census in 2001, more than 110,000 people live in informal rent situations (cheap hotels, abandoned buildings or tenement houses), paying a regular rent for squalid and inadequate conditions with a toilet shared by over 20 people. To rent in the city of Buenos Aires, a family needs formal employment, upfront payments and a property in the city of Buenos Aires as collateral. This, clearly, excludes most low income families. In addition, due to the excess demand for rents, descendants of neighbouring countries, or families with small children are most often discriminated.
A video of the exhibition can be found on
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpAd_QUIv08
Homes Fund. Year 2008-2009.
By María Sofía Mansur, volunteer
Another year has gone by, and Habitat for Humanity Argentina keeps growing, despite the difficult times which we have to go through. This continuous progress is the consequence of the trust and contributions we receive from many persons and institutions that are committed to HPHA’s mission.
Another year has gone by, and Habitat for Humanity Argentina keeps growing, despite the difficult times which we have to go through. This continuous progress is the consequence of the trust and contributions we receive from many persons and institutions that are committed to HPHA’s mission.
HPHA’s Homes Fund is a fundamental pillar in the development of the organization’s goals. Thanks to these contributions, in cash or in kind, by individuals and institutions throughout our last fiscal year we have continued with HPHA’s mission and extended our work to many more people. We now have over 250 families who have been able to improve their housing conditions, and many more who have participated in different workshops, and were able to see that it is possible to improve their own living conditions and those of their community.
Thanks to all those who were part of the Homes Funds 2008-2009!
Family Group:
Ana Cutts; Catedral Anglicana San Juan Bautista Buenos Aires; Corbin and Zulema Wright; Elida Gándara; Iglesia Bautista Nordeste Santa Fe; José Fernando Colacilli; Katharine and Tim Dougherty; María Belén Sarmiento; María Constanza Ledesma; María Celina Malvazo; Mariana and Zack Sears; Marval O'Farrell y Mairal; Maximiliano Pereyra; Patricia Caviezel; Personal Oficina Nacional de HPHA; Ronaldo Hurley;; Sistemas y Soluciones SRL; Sociedad Bíblica Argentina; United Community Church; Visnja Drucker.
Mortar:
Cash contributions:
Alyssa M Vine; Ana Dougherty; Analía Bachor ; Andrés Romagnoli; Bárbara Bradford; Bruno Capalbo; Carolina Mansur; Cecilia Segovia; Comisión Arquidiocesana de Ecumenismo y Dialogo Interreligioso; Corbin and Zulema Wright; Elida Gándara; Elizabeth Strickland; Felipe Cartud; Flavio Berceruelo; Familia Strasser; Gretchen Hall; Joaquín Bilbao; José Fernando Colacilli; Leonardo Hernández; Lidia Fernández; Luis Arana Tagle; Lynn Ibañez; Marcelo Ortelli; María Celina Malvazo; Mariana Ortega; Mariano Colombo; Mariano Spitale; Marina Romere; Mark Foster; Martha Ureta; Martín Nazer; Maximiliano Pereyra; Milagros Bernabó; Patricia Cabot; Patricia Caviezel; Paul Hartley ; HPHA National Office; Rene Cutts; Roger Cortéz; Ronaldo Hurley; Santiago Valent; San Cristóbal Seguros; Silvia Leguizamón; Silvina Rodriguez Ponti; Stephanie Simonetta; Susanne; Thomas Dunbar; Vianney Osorio; Visnja Drucker
In kind donations:
Antonio and Viviana Castro Sánchez; Servicios Integrales S.A; Sociedad Bíblica Argentina
Foundations:
Cash contributions:
Ana Cutts, Cáritas Lomas de Zamora; Christopher Carpenter; Katharine and Tim Dougherty; María Constanza Ledesma; María Belén Sarmiento; Mariana and Zack Sears; Nicolás Vellón; Patricia Wall de Dougall; Pequeño Fondo Hogares Royal Belfast Academical Institution; Steve Crowell; Thai Lovers Restaurant
In kind donations:
BAXPA SA; Bez Propiedades; Graciela Adán y Asociados; Iglesia Bautista Nordeste Santa Fe; Leticia Prayon RH Profile; Sistemas y Soluciones SRL; United Community Church
Bricks:
Cash contributions:
Catedral Anglicana San Juan Bautista Buenos Aires; Little Homes Fund Lucky and Giving Campaign Ithaca; Theresa y Dennis Skelly
In kind donations:
Hotel Zavaleta
Roof:
In kind donations:
Ana Cutts; Marval O’ Farrell y Mairal
We invite you to join our Homes Fund, donating from $1 per month you can support HPHA’s mission!
Ana Cutts; Catedral Anglicana San Juan Bautista Buenos Aires; Corbin and Zulema Wright; Elida Gándara; Iglesia Bautista Nordeste Santa Fe; José Fernando Colacilli; Katharine and Tim Dougherty; María Belén Sarmiento; María Constanza Ledesma; María Celina Malvazo; Mariana and Zack Sears; Marval O'Farrell y Mairal; Maximiliano Pereyra; Patricia Caviezel; Personal Oficina Nacional de HPHA; Ronaldo Hurley;; Sistemas y Soluciones SRL; Sociedad Bíblica Argentina; United Community Church; Visnja Drucker.
Mortar:
Cash contributions:
Alyssa M Vine; Ana Dougherty; Analía Bachor ; Andrés Romagnoli; Bárbara Bradford; Bruno Capalbo; Carolina Mansur; Cecilia Segovia; Comisión Arquidiocesana de Ecumenismo y Dialogo Interreligioso; Corbin and Zulema Wright; Elida Gándara; Elizabeth Strickland; Felipe Cartud; Flavio Berceruelo; Familia Strasser; Gretchen Hall; Joaquín Bilbao; José Fernando Colacilli; Leonardo Hernández; Lidia Fernández; Luis Arana Tagle; Lynn Ibañez; Marcelo Ortelli; María Celina Malvazo; Mariana Ortega; Mariano Colombo; Mariano Spitale; Marina Romere; Mark Foster; Martha Ureta; Martín Nazer; Maximiliano Pereyra; Milagros Bernabó; Patricia Cabot; Patricia Caviezel; Paul Hartley ; HPHA National Office; Rene Cutts; Roger Cortéz; Ronaldo Hurley; Santiago Valent; San Cristóbal Seguros; Silvia Leguizamón; Silvina Rodriguez Ponti; Stephanie Simonetta; Susanne; Thomas Dunbar; Vianney Osorio; Visnja Drucker
In kind donations:
Antonio and Viviana Castro Sánchez; Servicios Integrales S.A; Sociedad Bíblica Argentina
Foundations:
Cash contributions:
Ana Cutts, Cáritas Lomas de Zamora; Christopher Carpenter; Katharine and Tim Dougherty; María Constanza Ledesma; María Belén Sarmiento; Mariana and Zack Sears; Nicolás Vellón; Patricia Wall de Dougall; Pequeño Fondo Hogares Royal Belfast Academical Institution; Steve Crowell; Thai Lovers Restaurant
In kind donations:
BAXPA SA; Bez Propiedades; Graciela Adán y Asociados; Iglesia Bautista Nordeste Santa Fe; Leticia Prayon RH Profile; Sistemas y Soluciones SRL; United Community Church
Bricks:
Cash contributions:
Catedral Anglicana San Juan Bautista Buenos Aires; Little Homes Fund Lucky and Giving Campaign Ithaca; Theresa y Dennis Skelly
In kind donations:
Hotel Zavaleta
Roof:
In kind donations:
Ana Cutts; Marval O’ Farrell y Mairal
Leaflets for adequate shelter on the Solidarity Day
In order to celebrate the National Solidarity Day, on Wednesday 26 of August and on Saturday 29, volunteers from Habitat for Humanity Argentina put on the blue t-shirt of our visibility campaign and took to the streets against inadequate housing, giving flyers to passers by in downtown Buenos Aires and in Plaza Francia, Recoleta. 6000 people were invited to become a part of the solution to this problem.
Thanks to the effort of 40 volunteers, more than 6000 people today know that they can join HPHA to help solve the serious country’s housing problem.
Thanks to the effort of 40 volunteers, more than 6000 people today know that they can join HPHA to help solve the serious country’s housing problem.
Square in Recreo
Families participating in the “Rise up and Build” project of Recreo, Santa Fe, have recently started a new project: the design and implementation of a public park. HPHA has provided the land, as part of the project through which 38 houses were built, and by facilitating meetings with the neighbours, the project has now taken off with the families as the key players in achieving their vision.
“Each meeting we are part of, is a new opportunity for growing and improving as a community. In these meetings we have learnt to cultivate beautiful and practical qualities which have given us satisfactions everyday, such as listening to others, respecting the ideas and needs of others” one of our neighbours wrote in the feedback of one of the meetings.
The park will have swings and slides donated by the city council, and plants, flowers and trees that neighbours will plant. Another team initiative has been to request that the public transport pass through this part of the city, and the street that cuts through the rows of houses has been named by the neighbours, (they chose the name “19 de diciembre”, which is the date when the first lot of houses were dedicated in 2008. Now, with the support of HPHA, they wish to make a public space come to life so as to have a recreation area for children, where adults may also have a place to gather to share a “mate”.
“Each meeting we are part of, is a new opportunity for growing and improving as a community. In these meetings we have learnt to cultivate beautiful and practical qualities which have given us satisfactions everyday, such as listening to others, respecting the ideas and needs of others” one of our neighbours wrote in the feedback of one of the meetings.
The park will have swings and slides donated by the city council, and plants, flowers and trees that neighbours will plant. Another team initiative has been to request that the public transport pass through this part of the city, and the street that cuts through the rows of houses has been named by the neighbours, (they chose the name “19 de diciembre”, which is the date when the first lot of houses were dedicated in 2008. Now, with the support of HPHA, they wish to make a public space come to life so as to have a recreation area for children, where adults may also have a place to gather to share a “mate”.
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