Year 6, Vol.1: Family Stories, Santa Fe.

Mr. Sonzogni, who is in charge of the Provincial Energy Companyy in Recreo, Santa Fe, recently shared the following experience with our Local Coordinator in Santa Fe.

His Energy Company team went to carry out a routine electricity conection for last four houses built with Habitat for Humanity Argentina (HPHA) in Recreo. When they were in the middle of their assignment, it began to drizzle. Seeking shelter they found themselves under the roof of a HPHA homeowner, the Colman Family. One of the Coleman sons began chatting with them, and thanked them for giving his house light. To the surprise of each worker, the kid told them how proud he was of his new home... now that he could live in a house made of real materials, with no humidity, a room of his own... and how happy he was to be able to invite his friends from school home to study, something he had never been able to do before.

This conversation moved the workers, and even though in those conditions they would usually have suspended their work, this time they decided to continue and finish the connection so that the families could have electric energy as soon as possible. They felt it was the least they could do from their place and their situation with a safe job, a good income and their own confortable house, for these families who were starting a new stage in their lives.

The next day, the boss of the Energy company team told his wife and family what had happened. They reflected on how common this story probably was, and yet normally one would not stop to even notice such details because of the demanding work rhythm. Mr. Sonzogni came to thank HPHA for giving him the opportunity to experience the joy of families in need, working to improve their living conditions and find a place in society through their own effort and the help of volunteers.

Year 6, Vol.1: End of the Year Party in Santa Fe

More than 170 people attende th End of Year Party in Habitat for Humanity Argentina (HPHA) Santa Fe.

Amongst those present there were homeowner families from Santa Fe’s seven projects, as well as employees, donors, national and international volunteers. It was a great opportunity for everyone to get to know each other, strengthen bonds, and toast for a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The occasion also strengthened the bonds between staff and beneficiary families from our older projects, such as “Rebuilding Santa Fe House by House”, a special project that enabled the building of six houses for families who had lost everything in the floods and finally led to the opening of the Santa Fe Local Office.

Everyone had a pleasant and entertaining evening. At first an ice-breaking “Karaoke” was set up. Even the shyest guests had fun singing! Kids also had a great time, since they were able to play in a special games area. They were entertained with games, songs and other surprises by the voluntary coordinators of the “Little Bricks” Project (This project aims to educate homeowner family’s children about the various aspects of building and later taking care of their new home).

Afterwards videos were screened and the families from the more recent HPHA programmes were able to see the houses built in the first projects. It was most moving, as everyone watched the progress of construction of variuos houses, including the volunteers and families who built them – many of whom came from across the world.

The evening included words from the National Director Ana Cutts who spoke of the meaning of Christmas, the Holy Family and the blessings of a home. By way of conclusion, each family lit a candle and offered three reasons of praise or prayer.

To end the evening, glasses were raised to celebrate the reunion of sharing the mission to bring adecuate housing to all families.

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

Women of Faith Building with Love: A life changing experience

From November 10^th through 17^th, 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