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 26^th 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 27^th 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.