Habitat for Humanity
On Tuesday, January 7, 2014 we visited a not-for-profit organization, Habitat for Humanity. Habitat is known all over the world for its use of volunteers in building low cost houses. Its powerful vision is of a world where everyone has a decent and safe place to live! We got on the bus around 8:30am and arrived at the Habitat facilities at 9am. The morning was cold and foggy. The Hindustani Times said that it hadn’t been this foggy in quite some time. As a result 137 flights were canceled affecting many businessmen and citizens who were traveling. Coming from a very cold state during January like New York, I found the fact that 45F- 50F is considered cold enough to close schools for some time in New Delhi interesting.
On Tuesday, January 7, 2014 we visited a not-for-profit organization, Habitat for Humanity. Habitat is known all over the world for its use of volunteers in building low cost houses. Its powerful vision is of a world where everyone has a decent and safe place to live! We got on the bus around 8:30am and arrived at the Habitat facilities at 9am. The morning was cold and foggy. The Hindustani Times said that it hadn’t been this foggy in quite some time. As a result 137 flights were canceled affecting many businessmen and citizens who were traveling. Coming from a very cold state during January like New York, I found the fact that 45F- 50F is considered cold enough to close schools for some time in New Delhi interesting.
Housing is an arduous
problem across the world, especially in developing countries like India. Apart
from being one of the three basic necessities of life, adequate housing helps
to prevent diseases, injury and death, provides security, and increases
household and national income. At the meeting with Habitat of Humanity
officers, we learned that there is a huge housing need in India and it is a
massive challenge to meet it. The country faced a housing shortage of over 18
million housing units by the end of 2011. Building a habitat house is a real
life event with genuine meaning and significance. Teams and beneficiaries
recognize this and are bonded by a common sense of purpose and the achievement
of producing something positive and concrete.
HFH
has a history of loyal volunteers that helps manage the risk that core
volunteers will go volunteering with a different organization. One of its main
strengths is its highly recognizable and respectable brand image, as well as
high employee retention. On the other
hand there’s the risk on tenants who may default on their Habitat payments. I was particularly happy to hear mentioned during the
presentation that individuals who cannot pay back a loan are not completely
disqualified but end up getting a free house in exchange for work on other
Habitat projects. The organization doesn’t always get back 100% of the money it
invests. It’s usually just 70% and they make up for the difference by getting
additional donations. Families that have to pay back loans work with self help
groups that educate them on home economics, budgeting, cost efficiency and
saving money in order to pay back their loans. After the presentation about
Habitat’s work in India we had the chance to buy paintings drawn by children
whose life changed thanks to the organization. I chose to purchase one named
“Right to Shelter” by a 14 year old girl, Vanshika Babbar.
The ride to the Habitat for Humanity worksite was about an hour and a half. The commute consisted of dust roads, fog, humidity and plenty of traffic.Upon arrival we were greeted
with a welcoming ceremony where about 20 women were seated in front of us to
talk about their role in the Habitat community. They decide which family needs
money to built a house the most, select families for Habitat houses and get
groups of women together to introduce to them loans. The Habitat model is based
on the philosophy that it is not a
charity organization. It provides interest free loans to the poor, who cannot get financing from
banks. Funds come from individuals or
corporate donors and are then channeled to the deserving recipients through
local NGOs. At this location we witnessed the conditions the lowest class of
the Indian society lives in. At one point during our tour of the site we all
helped put down the foundations of building a new house for a Habitat
beneficiary. I couldn’t help but notice
that even though those children were living in the slums they seemed to be very
happy.
In order to improve operations Dr. Predmore and I suggested accessing new donor segments to find new allies who are capable and ready to contribute their ideas and resources habitat. 80% of the funds are raised within India from companies, individuals, and well wishers. There is some effort made in reaching out to Indian born people who have relocated around the world and expatriates in the diaspora but not enough. A list of people who have renounced their Indian citizenship can be obtained from embassies around the world. Habitat personnel should reach out and make them aware of the mission, efforts and needs of Habitat in building a slum free India. Fundraising efforts should target wealthy Indian expatriates, as their donations are able to reach more people in need. Getting a low dollar donation takes as much time and effort as getting a high dollar donation, thus higher dollar donations provide a greater return for the time and hard work you invest in getting them.
In order to improve operations Dr. Predmore and I suggested accessing new donor segments to find new allies who are capable and ready to contribute their ideas and resources habitat. 80% of the funds are raised within India from companies, individuals, and well wishers. There is some effort made in reaching out to Indian born people who have relocated around the world and expatriates in the diaspora but not enough. A list of people who have renounced their Indian citizenship can be obtained from embassies around the world. Habitat personnel should reach out and make them aware of the mission, efforts and needs of Habitat in building a slum free India. Fundraising efforts should target wealthy Indian expatriates, as their donations are able to reach more people in need. Getting a low dollar donation takes as much time and effort as getting a high dollar donation, thus higher dollar donations provide a greater return for the time and hard work you invest in getting them.
When we got to the shopping
center, the first thing I browsed for were the beautiful silky carpets from
Kashmir. They were all handmade by craftsmen and artisans with silk and very
fine fabrics. Next I went looking at the Ganesh, which bring good fortune and
other hand carved decorative ornaments. The pashmina shawls, unique to India,
were very soft, light and rich in color. Nita, the sales associate, a very
charming and persistent lady helped me choose a pretty minty, silk scarf with
elegant brown embroidery.
Shopping experience in India is quite different from that in the
U.S. We all had some fun bargaining
prices down! J
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