Hello again!

Thanks for checking our page out.

As in previous years we have decided to take a week out and build with Habitat for Humanity in South Africa. As in the past, we will be using our own holiday time and much of our own money for the trip. We started the project last year but there is still a long way to go - so please help!

In addition Grumpy has signed up to the ROB ROY challenge - to sweat even more for the cause. The event covers 55 miles of the spectacular Rob Roy Way by a combination of walking and cycling. So dig deep and sponsor me on the Rob Roy or come and train with me!

Below you can see a little bit about the project - we are returning for a 2nd year as last year was such an amazing experience. If you want to check out what we did last year he go to our blog:

http://grumpygerman.squarespace.com/ 
(if you want to join us get in touch with Claudia)

As you can see we have to raise a considerable amount and it if you can support us with a contribution - no amount is too small - we are very grateful for whatever you can give!

Donate on this site or send us a cheque made out to Habitat for Humanity:
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Habitat for Humanity will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

Many thanks for your continued support. YOU ARE GREAT! LOL Grumpy and Steffi

About the Project:

Miziki Community history
The community needs are enormous and complex and provide unique
challenges to the Habitat for Humanity programme.
In the area there is a lack of basic services and infrastructure
(access to toilets, clean water and electricity).
High unemployment (80% unemployment in the region),
illiteracy and lack of social economic opportunities
and development all contribute to a worsening economic situation.
Families are unable to sustain themselves from the land
due to lack of knowledge, skills and resources.
This leads to poor nutrition amongst children which very often
leads to illness. Housing and shelter in the area is poor
or inadequate. The homes are constructed from mud and wattle
and are in a very poor state of repair.
This again affects the general health and well being of
the children which is exasperated by the impact of HIV/Aids
which is beginning to take it’s toll on families.

The Challenge
The project not only aims to provide simple decent housing
for families in desperate need but aims to provide a more
holistic approach to community development and empowerment.
385 houses will be built for families in need, each with
2000sq metres of land. Water harvesting will be encouraged
by the installation of gutters, down-pipes and a water
collection tank to aid subsistence farming on the land.
The construction of a skills development centre for the
community will provide training and learning facilities for
job creation opportunities in the project (including a block
making project and the manufacture of trusses).
The new skills will later provide business opportunities
for the community in the greater Ixopo development,
planned by government. Training and skills transfer
will also help to create a commercialised community
co-operative agricultural business venture.
The plan is for tunnel farming and crops which have a high
yield and for which there are strong market conditions.
Also, a new dam will be constructed to irrigate the commercial
farming ventures. The needs of families infected and affected
by the AIDS pandemic will be addressed through partnerships
with local community organisations. Orphaned children and
child headed households will be identified for help.
In particular the project is looking at the nutritional
needs of Orphans and Vunerable Children (OVC’s) and how the
agricultural project could provide solutions to poor
nutrition amongst OVC’s.