FAQ's
Habitat for Humanity Australia is a non-profit Christian organisation that since 1976, has built more than 200,000 houses in 100 countries.
A Habitat house is completed somewhere in the world every twenty-four minutes.
For answers to some frequently asked questions about Habitat, click on the link below.
What the Students Said
The following are comments from students who participated in Habitat for Humanity mission trips:
"Our group was the biggest group of students Habitat for Humanity has ever had. We successfully built 12.5 units and hauled 33,972 bricks. Each brick weighed 7kg and is a design unique to the Habitat for Humanity project... Participating in the Habitat for Humanity trip has been an extremely large eye opener for both of us and we plan to continue volunteering." Hayley and Justin Smedley, 2011
"The trip gave me a whole new outlook on life. I value the more important things such as family and friends and I am more aware of how I use the money and resources we have." Stacey Kempe, 2009
"The trip has given me a new perspective on education and schooling. In the Philippines the students' attitude towards going to school is very different as they realise the importance of getting a good education... in the Philippines the students embrace the opportunity." Jessica Longden, 2009
Habitat for Humanity
The Habitat for Humanity Lutheran Schools’ Mission (LSM) is a joint initiative of the South Australian Lutheran Colleges and Secondary Schools. It is supported by the Lutheran Schools Association and a team of voluntary youth workers actively involved in the youth ministry network of LYSA (Lutheran Youth of South Australia). The LSM is a part of the Global Village volunteer program of Habitat for Humanity International, a non-profit Christian housing organisation dedicated to the eradication of poverty housing worldwide. This project has developed into a biennial feature for Lutheran Colleges in SA – including Unity College.
This Mission trip provides an opportunity for a Unity College team of four Year 11 students and a staff member to respond to God’s love by serving others in a very practical way. They will spend two weeks in a host country to assist in unskilled work such as lifting, carrying and mixing, as well as hammering, sawing and laying blocks. The team will work with the future homeowners, local volunteers and skilled construction workers and receive construction supervision.
The most recent mission Unity participated in took place in the 2011 July school holidays.
The benefits for students of this experience include:
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An understanding of the global reality of third world poverty, its effect on people’s lives and of Australia’s privileged economic position in the world.
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Personal growth and maturity through these experiences.
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Development of leadership and public speaking skills through the process of sharing their experiences with the school community afterwards.
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Understanding that Christians are called in their vocation in the world to use their God-given gifts for the benefit of others.
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A greater appreciation of the community of Lutheran Schools in SA and the development of friendships and relationships with students of other schools.
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A long-term commitment to social justice in the world.
The next mission will take place in 2013 and a team of 4 students from Unity has been selected to participate.
Please see the Cambodia Village Project page for information on mission opportunities for Year 11 students in non Habitat years.