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 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 2, Volume 1: THE LANDS PROJECT

Encouraged by the support we have already received for the “Lands Project,” Habitat for Humanity Argentina (HFHA) is hoping to attract more help and resources to make it possible to reach more families in need and build more houses. When each house is completed we plan to make the dedication and celebration into a much bigger event in which people and institutions that support this project can participate fully and during which we can express our thanks and gratitude for their help.

What is the “Lands Project”? When HFHA did the first family selection in Luján and Santa Fe, 92% of those interviewed fulfilled all the requirements needed to be a beneficiary of HFHA, except that they did not own a plot of land, or have title deeds.

The “Lands Project” is a response to this problem: giving the family home owners access to the land as well as to the house through Habitat for Humanity Argentina. The houses will be built on the same plot of land, at least 4 at the same time, so that many building costs will be reduced. The total cost of the house with land will not, therefore, be more than that of a house without land. The monthly payments for the family home owners will remain between $100 (Aprox.35 U$S) and $ 140 (Aprox. 48 U$S).

What is a House Dedication? This is the time when the building is completed and the house formerly handed over to the new owners. Habitat for Humanity works to provide a significant change in the living conditions of benefitting families. These families promise to repay the loan from HPHA. The dedication is a celebration of the efforts of the family, their helpers and supporters, volunteer work and financial support, all of which has made it possible for us to provide this “love in action.”

Each celebration is different, with ribbons, balloons, speeches, musical events, but always with great emotion because every family dreams of having their own house, a physical structure which they can call their home. It is an event that marks a new stage in the life of each family member.

HPHA co-operates with and works with, communities, private and public sectors, the general public, as well as with each individual family, and joins with all those who work with them to celebrate the handing over of each new house.

Duration: May 2^nd to July 30^th 2005

Why join? The Land Project is completed. We have acquired two properties consisting of ten lots each. In the next few weeks we shall begin to build between five and seven houses in Recreo, Santa Fe Province, and in Lujan, Province of Buenos Aires. At the same time we are working to obtain more support and more resources so that we can also build on the acquired ten lots in each place.. HPHA has already received donations from Habitat for Humanity International. Already there are people, also, who have confidence in the project, and have promised to help us fulfill our dreams.

Among those are Maersk Enterprises, who have promised to donate two houses, and generous gifts too from Mr Donald Flynn and the HB Fuller corporation.

If you are interested and able to support us, please contact us at :

Connie Ledesma,

cledesma@hpha.org.ar

54 11 4793-4384