April 23, 2008

Year 4, Volume 2: Brief News

We made it to the 100th family!

In March, the second Lands (Tierras) project was started in Lujan. Its objective is to develop an entire community not just build houses. Juan Cruz Farias, Eva Balderrama and their four children Jeremías, eight; Maria de los Angles, six; Fátima, three and Simón, one are the 100th family to be served by Habitat. Right now the Farías- Balderramos family are living in the church and have to share the kitchen and bathroom that prevents them from living in privacy as all families should.

The vary fact that we have provided 100 families with a decent place to live fills all of us at Habitat for Humanity Argentina with joy. It is a milestone that we celebrate with joy but the real importance of this event is the realization that we have provided a family in urgent need of a home with hope of living a better life and living it with dignity.

Launching of the fund raising campaign: At Home for a House

The objective of the campaign: At Home for a House is to invite volunteers to act as host at a tea, dinner, lunch or cocktail in their home and invite people to discuss the problem of housing in Argentina. This campaign has three goals: to spread the word about housing solutions provided by Habitat, raise funds, and find volunteers.

María attended a get together and shared some of her thoughts with us. ¨At the meeting At Home for a House I was happy to realize that Habitat For Humanity Argentina possessed two of the most important components that are necessary for success: a strong sense of mission and professionalism. I join in my prayers and ask that everyone accompany the Habitat family with their small donation that will grow and be converted into the fulfillment of a dream for some family. I thank Habitat for making this possible and giving this opportunity to many families.

More than 100 people have been invited to join the campaign and we hope to send 100 more invitations. We hope that more and more people in the United States, England and Argentina will continue to grow and that the mission of Habitat for Humanity Argentina will bring together many more people.

You are invited to become a part of our campaign and act as a host of ¨At Home for A House¨. All you have to do is call or email the Habitat office and you will receive a tool Kit with all the materials you will need. Write eventos@hpha.org.ar or call 4792-2739/ 4793-4384

Family Commitment Campaign

At the beginning of spring the new, Families Commitment Campaign was inaugurated, its objective was to acquaint the families of the benefits they receive from being part of the Habitat family while keeping up with their monthly installments. With this campaign, we not only hope to lower the late payment rate, but also to help the families understand that by assuming this responsibility with Habitat they have made a commitment that allows us to continue our work giving others the opportunity to have access to a home. This campaign will take place in four phases, one for each season of the year: spring, summer, fall, and winter, the last being in June just before winter.

To reach each family directly they will be given a commitment statement with a personalized message informing them of their payment status. There will also be commitment posters in the local offices to reinforce our message.

This Family Commitment Campaign highlights Habitat’s commitment to provide better living conditions for these families and a way to accompany them along the road to sustainable growth in the future.

Year 4, Volume 2: National Office: Resource Development

Tango and Build Dinner dance

The Tango and Build Dinner dance that was held at the Mahopac Golf Club of New York in the United States was a true success. One hundred twenty-five people attended and almost $15,000 dollars were collected. The event was organized by volunteers lead by Alejandro and Daniela Bernabo, Ágela Thompson, Lidia Díaz, Marcelo Pandi and his wife with the unconditional support of Jim Killoran, executive director of Habitat for Humanity, Westchester.

The guests, residents of New York and Argentines were drawn by the idea of appreciating and dancing the tango. Jubilee Multi Cultural Arts organized the show which was very well received. Later, those who had the courage and there were many, took part in tango classes. The mire two by four beat tempted people to travel to Argentina.

The guests not only, were drawn by the tango classes, but also, because they had an opportunity to support Habitat for Humanity Argentina. The fund raising was a great success, with prizes like round trip tickets New York/ Buenos Aries donated by Carbone Travel and a stay in the Sheraton Hotel Buenos Aires donated by Sheraton Hotels.

The guests raised funds and made a commitment to the HPHA mission most likely inspired by the presentation given by Milagros Bernabó and other members of a Global Village brigade who traveled with her to Argentina in May 2006. Her very interesting experience in Lujan inspired people to ask when the next event will be held. We are hoping that the Dinner dance organizers will follow Milagros’ example and come to Argentina on a Global Village brigade in 2008. We encourage this new initiative of Alex and Daniela Barnabó to continue recruiting donors and sponsors to come with a group that will dirty their hands at a construction site in Lujan, BA province.

Ma. Constanza Ledesma

National Resource Development Coordinator

Year 4, Volume 2: Santa Fe

The Rotating Fund Bares Fruit

In Recreo, Santa Fe, families, donors, volunteers and HPHA friends gathered together to celebrate a very special event. On Wednesday October 24, 15 homes were dedicated for HPHA families. Among these homes was the first house financed entirely by the Rotating Fund. This fund is made possible thanks to the families who pay their monthly quotas, which in turn gives other families a chance to have a home of their own. In order for this system to work it is essential that each family makes a commitment to pay their quota each month. At this event the families received special mention for their contributions to the fund.

It was an especially important experience because, not only were the families included but also, volunteers from Global Village, HPHA national and local office personnel, local suppliers, friends and local government officials attended. There were speeches by personnel and friends. The Intendent maintained that the word Habitat is synonymous with dignity. He also mentioned that the Global Village members came to help in Recreo in order to fulfill a need of theirs. The children who participated in the Little Bricks (Ladrillitos) program performed a delightful play showing how the Rotating Fund works and highlighting the importance of paying into the Fund.

The members of the Global Village Group who came from Canada, Trinidad Tobago and the United States had an opportunity to give their testimony about what it was like working in Argentina. They found their one week’s work, adding finishing touches to the house being dedicated that day, very gratifying.

The Oyola and Arce families who were two of the beneficiaries of the houses dedicated that day, gave their testimonies about how it felt to finally have a real house. They agreed that this was the answer to their dream: to have a home where they felt comfortable and they could live a healthy life.

To close this typical Folklore festival there was music and tortas fritas (fry cakes) made by the women in the Habitat families. Everyone at the party pledged to continue the work in Recreo inaugurating many more houses with the Rotating Fund. There is a great demand in Recreo for low cost housing which reaches those families in need in the coming years. Habitat for Humanity is here to stay in Recreo.

Mariano Moreno

Local Coodinator

HPHA Santa Fe office

Year 4, Volume 2: National Office: Community Mobilization

Different Kind of International Exchange
By Silvia Kaiser- Volunteer from Germany for six months

This will be an effort to put six intense months into a few words. I can see my family and friends are looking at me wide-eyed pleading ¨Come on, tells us about your experience!¨

Why drives a person to abandon a comfortable home and travel to a foreign country to be a volunteer? In my case it’s simple. With my diploma under my arm I was ready to exercise my brain to learn Spanish, drown myself in the Argentine culture and last but not least, try to save the earth in some way. So, on April 4, 2007 I arrived, rather nervous and full of expectation, at the National office of Habitat For Humanity Argentina in Buenos Aires.

From that moment I stated to work with Ariel, an Architect, in the housing solutions area and I shared my office with two other volunteers from the United States. Aisha and Alyssa.

All I learned in the school of architecture went up side down. Habitat taught me that a well designed house for people in need is much more important than a flamboyant 3D model.

The next step in my volunteer experience was to become a ¨Local Leader¨ and that took me to Santa Fe and Lujan. Together with local and international volunteers in cooperate and Global Village brigades I built walls, carried panels, dug holes for septic tanks, painted houses, made new friends and much more. All this was done by hand without any fancy equipment.

Working in an NGO, getting to know the families, seeing their hope transformed through hard work into the four walls of a house, motivated me deeply to change the way I see things.

Apart from a life experience, working in the construction area provided me with the opportunity to investigate the issue of security at the work site. All the information I received can be used in a biggest project that I ever worked on up to now: the HPHA Security Manual for Construction to be used as a resource for the families, the volunteers and the community involved in construction.

This experience was made possible thanks to the support of all the members of the HPHA team, who not only supported me as a colleague but also, as a friend. I would like to share the enthusiasm I feel with everyone in general. What would be a good way to spend your vacations instead of lying under the sun in Spain? Helping construct a roof for a family in need in South America is an excellent option. I strongly encourage everyone to live an experience like I did!

Put six months of my life into a few lines? Impossible!

Thanks to HPHA for accompanying me in an important experience, my volunteer service made in Argentina. It’s an international exchange of a different kind.

Silvia Kaiser

Volunteer HPHA

If you would like to be a volunteer write now to : voluntarios@hpha.org.ar

Year 4, Volume 2: National Office: Housing Sollutions

Planning Our Cities – The Delicate Balance


The word ¨habitat¨, according to the dictionary is a place or condition that is appropriate for sustaining the life of an organism, spices, plant or animal community. This definition leads us to think of a place where plants and animals live in harmony with the environment.

If we contemplate the concept of ¨human habitat¨ we might think of it as the unification of social and physical conditions that determine the coexistence of a population of people without taking into consideration a balance with nature. Thinking in this way creates a paradox concerning the concept of ¨habitat¨.

Why do the words ¨human habitat¨ give the impression that we differentiate ourselves from our habitat. Human behavior is what leads us to these conflicting concepts. Observe the difference between the ecological and the urban, the natural and the contaminated, between the environment and degradation of the environment.

The ¨habitat¨, the environment of which we form a part, shows us time and time again with greater violence that our concept of independent ¨human habitat¨ is indeed dangerous belief. Devastating consequences are imminent not only because of human destruction but also because of man’s lack of understanding that he is part of the whole picture, only a small part.

The tsunami that scourged Indonesia in 2004 leaving 200,000 dead, two million homeless with 370,000 homes destroyed or damaged; the floods in Santa Fe province in April and May of 2003 where 300,000 people were evacuated, the destruction of more that 5,000 homes, leaving dozens dead are two events in a long list of events which must be considered a wake up call to rethink our concept of ¨human habitat¨ by preplanning our cities and recognizing the true place of human beings in the equilibrium of this planet.

This is a collective responsibility that we all have to assume in order to maintain a balance that will not affect our place on this planet and the place of all living things in ¨the habitat¨.

Our human settlements must begin to work as interdisciplinary communities ww forming alliances where a variety of analysis takes place and concepts are developed to reduce risk and produce respect for maintaining an equilibrium in our environment, thus creating concepts that effect urban planning in a positive way. Through the use of technical, natural, economic, political, ecological, sociological, psychological and other disciplines the solutions can be found to return the environment to the planet’s original course.

Let’s not be fooled by looking for THE solution to problems concerning housing and environment when within these two areas there are an endless amount of considerations that should be addressed together. The human settlements need the coordinated effort of the families who live there, civil organizations, the government and the international community. The value of an interdisciplinary effort is to maintain/assure equilibrium in our habitat. Concepts like population vulnerability in the face of poverty, the lack of resources to strengthen community structure, and city planning can not be treated only from a technical or ecological perspective. Other concepts like the need for a community to agree on an action plan in the face of an emergency, and the use and structure of community homes can not be addressed from one point of view. These areas must be analyzed using an interdisciplinary ACTION PLAN to maintain our place as the predominant specie on the planet as much for the survival of our specie as well as for the planet as a whole.

Ariel Alejandro Sosa

National Coordinator UTN for Housing Solutions and Sustainable Development

Year 4, Volume 2: Editorial

In Latin America and the Caribbean 26 million homes do not provide basic shelter for the families who live there. In addition 28 million more homes are needed to eliminate the slums and inferior conditions in which families live.

Changing policies and creating partnerships to support a sustainable livelihood for families in need was the central theme of the Habitat for Humanity 2007 Leader’s Conference. The lush, green mountains of Heredia provided a quiet, secluded setting for the conference hosted by Habitat for Humanity’s Area Office based in Costa Rica. Several workshops dedicated to various facets of the theme were presented during the seven conference days.

It was my pleasure to be able to take part in the conference along with members of Latin American and Caribbean National Organizations, the Latin America and the Caribbean Area Office, and members of the Habitat International staff who came from their new offices in Atlanta, Georgia. We were gathered for the same purpose: to act as mentors for those people who need a voice, to learn more about what other countries are doing on a local level and to make plans for the future using the knowledge gained through our interaction.

Workshops included Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Housing and Human Settlement, Sustainability: a model of institutional development and Housing Development. The guest speaker, Graciela Landaeta PhD, professor of Housing Development and Management in Sweden shared her studies of low income housing in her native Bolivia and other parts of Latin America. Dr. Landaeta shared examples of success and failures of housing programs around the continent emphasizing the importance of addressing the needs of partner families as the first step in a sustainable solution.

The importance of transforming structures and processes both in the way Habitat reaches out to the individual families and how we influence the policies made today in each country was impressed upon us time and time again. Finally the Director for Latin America and the Caribbean Torre Nelson called us to action with these instructions: start with the family’s needs, develop products that respond to those needs, form alliances with other organizations that create holistic changes in the lives of the families, and finally, balance building homes with advocacy for those who we serve, those who have no voice.

We have learned in Habitat for Humanity Argentina, that we can make a difference in people’s t lives. We do that every day. We also know that there is a great deal left to do. We need others to join us by being volunteers, donating time, money or experience so that more families in Argentina and the world can look forward to a better future.

Patricia Caviezel

Vice President (October 2005/2007)

Year 4, Volume 1: News in Brief

HFHA Annual Meeting

Office personnel, volunteers, members of the National Board and Assembly members participated in the HFHA´s Fourth Annual Meeting on May 17-19 called “Sowing or Reaping?”. The objectives were:

  • Take a critical look at the organization as it stands today
  • Pledge to work together as an efficient team
  • Get to know and treasure each other

We reached our planned objective. The meeting closed with high levels of motivation, organization and energy to continue supporting our mission.

HFHA: One step to Buenos Aires!

On June 4, 2007 the final conclusions of the study on Habitat for Humanity Argentina’s Program for Buenos Aires and the Greater Metropolitan Area was presented. For eight months HFHA has been preparing to initiate its work in Buenos Aires and the Greater Metropolitan Area (BAMA).

At the beginning of 2007 a group of professional consultants in the areas of social urban housing was formed to identify opportunities and evaluate different options that would enable HFHA to begin the BAMA program. The conclusions presented by the team were hopeful and within a few weeks a course of action will be decided upon in order for us to begin work on this project.

During this presentation not only were members of the National Board present but also, Assembly members and special guests in the field of housing: Mr. Raúl Fernández Wagner from the University of General Sarmiento, Mr. Carlos Castro and Leonor from the Concordia del Asentamiento 22 de Enero from the neighborhood of La Matanza and lastly Mr. Daniel Aguilar and Mr. Cesar Alfonso from the Land and Social Habitat of the San Miguel municipality.

Year 4, Volume 1: National Office: Resource Development

The Big Habitat for Humanity Family

Much has been said about Habitat for Humanity (HFH) working locally and adapting itself to the needs of each community to resolve the problem of inadequate housing. This is very true… In addition I had the extreme pleasure of experiencing the support of our global family between April 22 and May 3 this year.

With the support of the Area Office for Habitat for Humanity Latin America and the Caribbean (HFH LAC) I visited various affiliates in the United States where I experienced the hospitality and felt the brotherhood of a Christian organization. I stopped at Troy, Albany in Rensselaer Co. New York. In Patterson New Jersey I participated in a ¨Latin Night¨ and found out more about their work. I was in Bucks Co. Pennsylvania and Newburg, New York where I participated in a ¨Walk for Houses¨ and was given a HFH tour around the city. I also met with Mary A. Bonner, president of the affiliate in Westchester Co. who has, on various occasions, shown her solidarity with Habitat for Humanity Argentina.

During my travels it was evident time and time again that one of the reasons that HPH has accomplished so much around the world is that it functions as a big family. And this family grows… in this trip I witnessed how one Argentine and his family took a leadership role in organizing events and finding financial aid to help Argentines who live in unacceptable conditions. Alex and Daniela Bernabó organized a wine and empanada dinner for their friends where they planned their coming fundraiser ¨Tango and Build¨ at the Mahopac Golf Club on August 18. Glenda Páez from White Plains is contributing buy selling tickets. Other workers who have showed support are Gabriel Maioli, Matias Delfino and Argentines who work at the United Nations.

This generosity extends to the USA west coast, thanks to the invitation of a faithful and generous donor from Bellingham, Washington. I flew to the west coast to give a presentation in a church for a group of friends and family who hope to support the projects here in Argentina

In the name of HFHA I would like to thank these affiliates who generously opened their doors to me and who have started a long term partnership with HFHA, to HFH LAC for their support for my trip, to the Bernabó family, the Argentine Club from the United Nations. I would also like to thank Steve and Julie McMinn and everyone of the people who gave willingly and generously of their hospitality and time so that this trip translates into more houses for those in need so they can call it ¨home¨.

Ma. Constanza Ledesma

National Resource Development Coordinator

National Office

Year 4, Volume 1: Luján: Building Neighborhoods

The Luján Office is working on their next initiative called the Neighborhood by Neighborhood Project. This is the first project where HFHA is attempting to improve the environment of a whole neighborhood.

The objective of Neighborhood by Neighborhood Project is to improve the living conditions of the 100 families who live in the Barrio San Cayetano and Padre Varela neighborhoods. Because these two neighborhoods have the greatest need in the Luján area, this project will consist of loans in kind and housing solutions tailored to meet the specific necessity of each household. Some of the solutions that will be addressed are Obtaining Legalized Land Titles, Loans for Improvements and House with Land. At the same time HFHA´s aim is to generate interest in the continued development of the neighborhoods of Barrio San Cayetano and Padre Varela by encouraging the participation by families and institutions in the area to build community consciousness which includes the creation of community green areas.

The Neighborhood by Neighborhood Project aims to help those low income families who live in Barrio San Cayetano and Padre Varela neighborhoods in Luján and suffer difficult living conditions and who are looking for a final solution either in the form of a complete housing solution, a progressive house, or with legalization of their land.

Mariana Ballesteros

Local Coordinator

Luján Office - HFHA

Year 4, Volume 1: Santa Fe: Responding to needs

Responding to needs

The Santa Fe office has designed and is implementing the Let us Build Project in the suburb of Recreo.

The objective of this Project is to provide an opportunity for at least 50 families who live in precarious conditions, have low incomes and do not legally own their own land to have access to a house with land included within the next two years.

The houses for this project will be built with pre-molded cement panels that are bolted together designed to meet the needs of the individual families.

Community Involvement: Developing Communities

The Let us Build Project consists of houses built together on a large lot for a minimum of four families. Because of this innovation in building method in western Recreo, HFHA has the possibility of effecting the urbanization of this area. In this way HFHA is able to work together with the municipal government to provide for recreational areas, green areas, sidewalks, pavement and basic public services like electricity and water.

Community Development Workshops serve as incentive to individuals empowering them to improve the quality of their life over a short, medium and long period of time. Besides the workshops that include Financial Literacy, Legal Literacy and Little Bricks there are plans to offer another workshop called Community Involvement.

At the same time the local Santa Fe Office will be offering the following workshops:

- Organic Vegetable Gardens

- Family Nutrition

- House maintenance

- Sustainability of the house

- The energy efficient home

The objective is to reach at least 30 families who are not yet HFHA beneficiaries for each workshop.

The first six families for this project have been selected and we hope they will be able to move into their new houses in three months. We are looking forward to the success of the Let us Build Project.

Mariano Moreno

Local Coordinator

Santa Fe Office – HFHA

Year 4, Volume 1: National Office: Community Development

Interview with María Celina Malvazo


Tell us what type of family we hope to serve?

HFHA hopes to serve the families with the greatest need. Today our projects are directed toward families who can pay a maximum monthly quota of $150 (pesos) / u$s 50 (dollars).

How do you achieve this?

We face a great challenge here. Traditionally HFHA has focused on designing and offering a certain type of house to the focus public. Then if the families were able to pay the quota and fell within the selection criteria set by HFHA they were able to enter the program. Now we have modified the system by identifying the needs of the poorest families first instead of designing a product (home) then looking for a family to fit into it. We analyze the socioeconomic situation of our focus group and produce a plan to offer long term credit to solve their housing needs. These credits are adjustable depending upon the needs and the possibilities of each family. The families return the money without interest over a long period of time.

How are families selected?

We prepare social reports on the families interested in our program that fit the profile of our focus group for each separate project. Next, a Selection Committee consisting of local volunteers and HFHA personnel evaluate each case. Those families with the greatest most urgent need have priority over the others. In addition other organizations HFHA works in association with can recommend a family. Once selected the family is accepted into the program.

What does the follow up consist of?

Once a family is selected they attend a series of workshops before, during and after the construction of their house. These workshops not only strengthen the ties between HFHA and the family but also enable us to address the needs of each family and strengthen the central values of HFHA like faith in action and sweat equity.

The children are also included in workshops through the Little Bricks Project. Both mothers and children attend educational and recreational workshops where they learn the value of having a home and its maintenance. At the same time we help them adapt to a new mode of living that is often very different than what they were used to.

In order to maintain a continuous relationship with the HFHA families we offer workshops on Financial Literacy and Legal Literacy. We also give workshops in partnership with other NGO’s on topics such as the changes in a growing family, family health, education and how to start a small business.

Is that what you call “More than Houses”?

Yes, we in HFHA want to provide the families and communities with “More than Houses”, giving them tools by which they can develop and grow. We wish to be a means by which the family progresses, where they are able to achieve a new reality no longer living in a precarious lifestyle. Owning a house alone is very important but it does not guarantee progress nor does it strengthen the family or the community.

Do the families achieve a true transformation?

That is our goal. Of course the transformation does not happen from one day to the next nor does it happen once the family moves into their house. Our job starts with the house and continues year after year. For this reason we are developing a measurement tool “Human Development Measurement Tool” that allows us to visualize and monitor the concrete development of each family over the years. That way we know if we are successfully enabling the positive transformation of each family.

Year 4, Volume 1: National Office: Advocacy

Inadequate Housing in Argentina: An open debate

What does deficit housing mean and where do we get the statistics

The word “deficit” means “lack of the necessary”. By this we understand that “housing deficit” means the lack of adequate housing in this country.

In Argentina it is difficult to establish the extent of the housing deficit in exact numbers. The evaluation of the housing situation tends to be done with long intervals of time in between, and is subject to economic and political modifications. Nevertheless, there are organizations that create indicators with which to measure the housing situation in the country. By evaluating the finding of several organizations it is possible to come up with a rough estimate of deficit housing.

We utilize international resources (U.N. Habitat CEPAL) as well as national resources (INDEC, Censes, EPH (Permanent Homes Census) or universities) and we conclude that in Argentina there are 4,000,000 families that suffer some sort of basic housing need.

Year 4, Volume 1: Editorial

A whole section of this edition of our newsletter is dedicated to statistical information concerning the housing problem in Argentina. The mere magnitude of these numbers is impressive but these are not just cold, hard statistics. They represent the millions of people who do not have adequate housing in this country.

We in Habitat for Humanity Argentina (HFHA) understand that the value of a house cannot be measured by its four walls alone. It’s much more than that. By means of our work we expect that a house will provide a family with:

  • Security and stability
  • A sense of family, community and solidarity
  • Space where children can grow up healthy and where learning takes place
  • A sense of achievement and personal satisfaction
  • An important step out of poverty toward a better future

To achieve this, HFHA wishes to build hope, responsibility, solidarity, love, and stimulate faith in action by empowering families, communities and society.

The continuous follow up, educational guide and support that HFHA gives families before, during and after the construction of new homes is one of the factors that ensures the success of our program. This, which we call “More than Houses¨, is the key to a sustainable solution that provides a transformation of the families by improving their quality of life. In the interview with María Celina Malvazo, National Community Development Coordinator for HFHA, we invite you to explore this theme.

Ana Cutts

National Director

National Office - HFHA

Year 3, Volume 3: News in Brief

The National Director travels to England

Taking advantage of her holidays in England, Ana Cutts visited St. John the Baptist Church, Holywell cum Needingworth, which finances the Little Bricks Project as part of the Church Triangle Project, which it forms along with St. John the Baptist Anglican Cathedral in Buenos Aires. There Ana presented HFHA´s Institutional Video, and the participants of the “Home Sweet Home HFHA” award. The “Pot-Luck-Dinner” was attended by about 50 people, all of whom showed great interest in HFHA´s mission.

Ana Cutts was also invited to give a talk at the Uffington’s Women’s Association and the Argentine Dioceses Association (ADA) in London.

We are very grateful for the interest demonstrated and donations received from both organizations, and hope to continue and increase contact in the future.

HFHA in Luján received the José Hernández prize given by the Chamber of Deputies of the Province of Buenos Aires

In recognition of its work in Luján, HFHA received the José Hernández Prize. Given by the H. Chamber of Deputies of the Province of Buenos Aires, the prize distinguishes individuals and organizations which work in the areas of culture, science, arts, sports and education. HFHA was nominated to receive the prize by the provincial deputy Maria Inés Fernández in appreciation of the work done in Luján towards providing durable solutions to the problem of inadequate housing. The final winners were decided by consensus of all the sectors of the provincial Chamber of Deputies.

Homes Fund

Did you know that your donation – big or small – together with those of others, helps families to have a simple, healthy home? Join the Homes Fund!

What is the Homes Fund?

HFHA´s Homes Fund is the result of donations given by individuals and institutions, throughout the period of one year. The Homes Fund is used to further HFHA´s mission.

Donate with your credit card and in 2007 give your support to families in need of a place to call home.

How to donate?

Call (54 11) 4793-4384/ 4792-2739 or write to oficinanacional@hpha.org.ar

Donations can be made by credit card, cash, check or bank transfer.

Gartner Group Donation

Since the beginning of our work in Argentina, the law firm Marval, O’Farrel & Mairal has supported us by providing legal counsel within their Pro-bono programme. As the organization grew – and with it the work load for our generous attorneys – our relationship with them has grown stronger, to the point that they helped us achieve the largest donation ever received locally by Habitat for Humanity Argentina. One of the firm’s clients, Gartner Group Argentina, has contributed a very significant donation which will allow Argentine families to reach the dream of a lifetime: a home and the chance to begin a new life!

On behalf of these families and of all of Habitat for Humanity Argentina: THANK YOU!

From the Ballroom to the Building Site

On the 2nd of September in Luján we began building the house financed by the “A House for a House” challenge held at the Annual Dinner 2006. Guests and most of the dinner organizers along with volunteers and friends were all part of a construction team which celebrated the ground-breaking of the construction, and were able to witness the joy of the Román Martínez family who began living the dream of having their own house.

2006 Assembly

In October 2006 HFHA´s Annual Assembly was held. Fifteen people attended the meeting, including members of the National Board, volunteers, staff and guests.

In addition to the presentation of the annual executive report, an interesting debate took place regarding topics of interest to the organization.

First Work Team of the Year!!!

On Saturday 13th of January the HFHA´s first work team took place! Consisting of eight volunteers belonging to Accenture and one volunteer in training to become a House Leader, the Team painted the entire exterior of the house belonging to the Lucia Martínez family in Pueblo Nuevo, Luján. The volunteers were impressed by HFHA´s work in Luján, and many of them want to carry on supporting us!!


“I thank God because our first Work Team of 2007 was a complete success! Each of the tasks was carried out smoothly, and the volunteers enjoyed their day. This is a very good start for our year’s activities!!!

Macelo Ortelli, House Leader

Department of Volunteers and Work Teams - National Office

Year 3, Volume 3: Cañada de Gómez

The small community of Cañada de Gómez traveled a long yet successful road to reach the dedication of the first HFHA house!! Among many other achievements, Cañada de Gómez is the Local Office which raised the largest amount of money to finance the first home in their city. Various fundraising events were organized with the help of volunteers and members of families in need of housing, and donations were received from important local businessmen and companies.

On the 14th of October, after much work and with the collaboration of the group of volunteers who initiated and supported HFHA´s work in Cañada de Gómez, we celebrated the dedication of the first home built in Cañada, belonging to the Corbalán Family.

As always, each community adds its own personal touch and style to these celebrations. In Cañada de Gómez great emotion was felt when a letter written by Camila Corbalán´s school friends was read out loud, and a festive touch was added by “Javier & Victoria” (Daiana Corbalán´s school friends) who offered a Tango show.

Mr. Corbalan´s parents and relatives, other HFHA partner families, school friends of the Corbalan daughters’ Daiana and Camila Corbalan attended the event. Staff and volunteers of the HFHA Office in Cañada de Gómez and members of HFHA´s Local Advisory Council were also present. Ana Cutts, National Director, and M. Constanza Ledesma, National Resource Development Coordinator, traveled from Buenos Aires to join the Corbalán family on this special day.

Year 3, Volume 3: National Office

Community Mobilization

At the beginning of September 2006, Habitat for Humanity Argentina organized “The Strength of Volunteers” Resources Fair, with participants from the 4th Annual Volunteer Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, the Argentine Red Cross, “Asociación Civil De la Nada”, “Ingenieros por el Desarrollo”, “Asociación Civil Microenergía” and “Fundación Sagrada Familia”.

The various HFH programmes in different countries in Latin America had their own stands; Manuel Mancuello from HFH LAC gave a talk about “International Volunteers”; Gustavo Sampayo from the Argentine Red Cross gave a presentation about “How to Develop the Participation of Volunteers”, and Marcelo González, corporate volunteer for Novartis, shared his experiences as a “Corporate Volunteer”.

The Fair was held on the beautiful grounds of the United Community Church (UCC) in Acassuso. In addition to allowing us the use of their halls and garden free of charge, the UCC also invited us all to an excellent “Asado”. The “Asociación Civil Microenergía” also contributed to the evening by exhibiting its innovative Solar Oven “Inti-Raymi” donated by the Bourne Rotary Club, England, which was used to heat the traditional Argentine “empanadas”.

One of the evening’s highlights was a show given by the traditional folklore group “Los del Camino.” The group once again demonstrated their commitment to HFHA´s mission by delighting everyone present with their music and performance.

Year 3, Volume 3: Luján

Global Village: To see the world through different eyes!

One of my tasks as a long term volunteer for Habitat for Humanity Argentina was to accompany the Global Village teams from different parts of the world to the building sites in Argentina. My responsibilities included participating with the building projects and coordinating necessary supplies such as snacks, water, transportation and restaurants.

It was a really great experience for me. On the one hand I had time to help on the building site and work hand-in-hand with the families and on the other hand I got to know people from all over the world.

I learned a lot and had a great time with all the people. In total I worked together with GV teams 4 times: twice in Santa Fe and twice in Luján. In both places I had a lot of support from the local affiliate, without them it wouldn’t have been the same!

The international volunteers also learned a lot. Working together with partner families they were able to experience a different culture. I always felt accepted…and with the last group I even felt like part of the team!

We also felt really connected with the families, sharing the whole working day and sometimes even more with them! If the weather was nice and everybody wasn’t too tired, we had football matches after finishing work. We also had huge “asados” or farewell events. So everybody had a chance for experiences outside the construction site as well. The feedback I’ve heard from participants on every team has been great!

My volunteer work with HFHA finished at the end of December, however, I will be leading a GV team on a trip to Honduras before returning home to Germany in January 2007, and I look forward to this and future involvement with GV programmes around the world. ¡Hopefully my participants will be as delighted as the others were!

Nils Dickhoff

German volunteer with HFHA from February to December 2006



Women of Faith Building with Love: A life changing experience

From November 10th through 17th, an international construction event called Women of Faith Building with Love was held in Recreo, province of Santa Fe, Argentina.

More than 120 local, national and international women, belonging to different churches and communities of faith, gathered at the city of Recreo to build four homes for the Correa, Oyola, Socías and Toranzo families. These houses belong to the Progressive House Project and the Building Bridges Project: Recreo-Bellingham.

The volunteers worked together with members of the partner families, who helped teach the volunteers how to perform certain tasks at the construction site. Mr. Mario Formento, the Mayor of Recreo, took part in the event and worked at the construction site along with officials from the Municipal Government and Town Council.

Important Results

During eight days of construction, work was done on four houses. One full house and a half of another were finished, each made up of one bedroom, bathroom, living-dining room and kitchen. The construction was done with cement panels (each weighing around 90 kgs.) screwed together.

Transforming lives

Women of Faith Building with Love not only gave the partner families a strong message of solidarity, teamwork and putting “love into action” in order to help those in need, it also signified a substantial advance in the construction of their homes.

In numbers, this means that: the work done during the 8 days of Women of Faith Building with Love saved the families almost 5 weeks of work (the time they would have needed to advance the construction to the same point reached during the event).

A special mention is deserved by all the volunteers who worked during this event: a group of 11 Baptist women from the United States who traveled to Recreo, paying all their expenses and making an important donation to HFHA, to work in the construction of these houses; as well as international, national and local volunteers who took time from their jobs, families and homes to help with the organization of this event, and work at the construction site, putting their “faith into action” and showing their love for others.

The team from the HFHA Santa Fe Office would like to thank all of those who made this event a success, including staff and volunteers from HFHA.

Jorge Díaz

Local Coordinator

Year 3, Volume 3: Editorial

A new year is beginning, and with it the evaluation of last year’s activities and achievements, and laying out new plans and objectives.


In 2006 our goal was to increase Committed Participation. We sought to encourage volunteers from different parts of society and from around the globe to join and support our mission. We achieved an important increase in the number of volunteers and Work Teams working with us in our National and Local Offices, and at our construction sites in Luján, Santa Fe and Cañada de Gómez. Local Work Teams, long and short term volunteers, Global Village Teams, and national and international events all provided a means for mobilizing people from different cultures, religious backgrounds, professions and nationalities willing to lend a helping hand to those in need.

This increase in participation generated an increase in the number of housing solutions offered. This year 24 families were able to work on the construction or renovation of their houses, and celebrate Christmas and the New Year in their new homes!

Our challenge for 2007 is Growth: to increase the number of families we are able to assist in overcoming poverty. Our aim is to serve 91 families during the year. The challenge is considerable… but the organization is prepared! With each passing day we realize that we are able to make a difference “house by house, family by family,” transforming lives. We thank you for your support, and invite you to continue accompanying us throughout 2007!

Ana Cutts

National Director Nacional



Year 3, Volume 2: News in brief

Legal Literacy: “The ABC of how to obtain, legalize and protect your property”:

Habitat for Humanity Argentina has developed and is implementing the Legal Literacy Programme, an educational course which covers the different legal aspects related to the acquisition, legalization and protection of properties. The programme is aimed at supporting families, helping them sort the various obstacles encountered at the moment of legalizing or regularizing the documentation of their land or property, and informing them of the various aspects related to buying land or properties with absolutely legal deeds.

Year 3, Volume 2: Department of Associations

Networking and spreading hope

Habitat for Humanity Argentina has begun an associative project with other organizations interested in finding solutions for families in need of adequate housing.

With the intention of reaching every corner of the country where there is an urgent need of housing, we have started to lay the foundations of a network. In this sense, we are identifying, contacting and forming associations with a diverse range of organizations, institutions and government entities which seek to improve the housing situation in Argentina, either through public policies or construction and development projects.

Together with some of our partner organizations, such as “Fundación Sagrada Familia” (www.fsf.com.ar) and “De la Nada Asociación Civil” (www.delanada.org), we are preparing a publication with the objective of conveying the benefits perceived by working in association during the past years.

Within the framework of this project we have been able to learn from the experience of many organizations such as the “Movimiento de Ocupantes e Inquilinos” (www.moicoop.org.ar) and the “Secretariado de Enlace de Comunidades Autogestionarias”, amongst others. In addition to this, and as a means to provide further academic background to our work, we have held meetings with Arq. Jaime Sorin, Dean of the “Facultad de Arquitectura, Diseño y Urbanismo de la Universidad de Buenos Aires” (www.fadu.uba.ar), and Arq. Fernández Wagner from the “Instituto del Conurbano de la Universidad de General Sarmiento” (www.ungs.edu.ar) gave us a conference regarding the housing and living environment situation in Latin America and Argentina during the Annual Staff Meeting held this year.

We are aware that building a network of associations requires dedication, patience and hard work, and HFHA aims daily at generating a widespread interest in creating a world where every family lives in decent housing.

Ariel Sosa

Department of Associations (Investigation)

National Office

Year 3, Volume 2: Cañada de Gómez

Double Celebration on a National Holiday

On Saturday 25th of May, the neighbours or Cañada de Gómez in Santa Fe held a double celebration: the 196th anniversary of Argentina’s first National Government and the arrival of the first Global Village Team at Cañada de Gómez! These men and women, young and middle aged, with different professions and occupations, worked in the construction of homes included in the Lands Project, which counts with the support of Habitat for Humanity International and Citibank Argentina.

Local authorities, donors, staff and volunteers from the local office in Cañada de Gómez, together with Patricia Caviezel, Vice-President of the National Board of Directors of HFHA, held a simple welcome ceremony for the team from USA and Canada.

As usually happens on such occasions, the emotional note was given by the families. Claudia Walter and Sonia Mella de Torres spoke on behalf of the HFHA families, and thanked each member of the Global Village Team for their work and concern. With great simplicity, Claudia confessed that on the day of the team’s arrival she went to her house and cried out of sheer happiness: “I waited so many years to have my house, I could not believe my eyes… but I do not cry in public”.

Owing to the work done by the Global Village Team, the construction which would have taken weeks was achieved in only 8 days! This not only accelerates the rate of construction, it also helps reduce the cost of each house.

In the name of the families, HFHA, and the Cañada de Gómez community, we heartily thank each member of the team!

Year 3, Volume 2: Luján

What is the Lands Project?

The Lands Project is an innovation of HFHA in response to the large number of families in need of a home, but who do not own their own land. Before this project was implemented, HFHA required all families to own a plot of land or have a title deed in order to become beneficiaries. After a long process, 6 plots of land were bought in Open Door, semi-detached houses were designed, and the first families were selected. The challenge and our proposal was to reduce construction costs by building various houses in the same piece of land (economy of scale), thus enabling the families to afford the cost of the land as well as the house.

On Friday 26th of May the dedication of the last 4 houses of the Lands Project was held in Open Door, Luján. The houses were financed through a special fund-raising campaign which counted with the support of Maersk S. A., H. B. Fuller, Lincoln, St. John´s Holywell Parish, individual donors, and the proceeds of a dinner organized in Peekskill, New York, by Alex Bernabó.

By one of those blessings which God provides, the dedication coincided with the last day of work of the Global Village Team from Boston, USA, whose leader was no other than Alex´s daughter, Milagros!

After listening to an endearing and inspiring story which encouraged us all to stop feeling like

defenceless little birds waiting to be helped, and become soaring Condors able to help others, the Medina, Burgos, Cuesta and Rajoy families moved us all with their words of gratefulness and sincerity. “Here we learnt that it is possible to dream with a better world”, one of them said holding back tears of emotion.

Four of the youngsters from Boston gave their carefully rehearsed speeches in Spanish as each family received a Bible. Ana Cutts, our National Director, reminded us that the dedication of each house is not the end of the road for the families, rather it is truly the beginning of a new journey towards building a home filled with love, patience, understanding and effort; and continuing the monthly payments in order to enable more families to have their own home.

As usual, HFHA Luján prepared refreshments with cakes and “empanadas”, and we could not help feeling like one big family – global due to the presence of Milagros and her team – made up of beneficiary families, volunteers and staff.

Building Homes

What is the Building Homes Project?

As HFHA in Luján grows, more and more families approach us in search of an opportunity to work together to acquire an affordable, simple, healthy house. Some of them own land, others are on their way towards owning their land. As a means of response to this need HFHA Luján approved the Building Homes Project, with the object of reaching 35 families in need – who have their own land – in 3 years. These families must live in districts or towns within a 20 km. radius from the city of Luján.

The construction of the first four houses of the Building Homes Project started in 2006 due to the finance and support of Citibank Argentina and Habitat for Humanity International. The first beneficiary families are from Open Door and Luján. The building is being done in record time as a result of the increase in the number of Corporate Teams from Citibank Argentina, Novartis, Monsanto and the Monthly Work Teams made up of individual volunteers.

On Saturday 27th of May a team from Citibank Argentina gave the finishing touches to the Berterré family’s home. That same afternoon everyone stayed on to the dedication of the house, with the participation of José Colacilli, President of the National Board of Directors of HFHA, and Juan Brouchou, CEO of Citibank Argentina amongst the guests.