As part of Habitat Wake’s global mission, we are excited to depart Wake County today to take our first ever Global Village volunteer team to build with our partners at Habitat for Humanity Cambodia. 22 team members make up this initial team led by Habitat Wake board member, Michelle Pavliv, and Kevin Campbell, President/CEO of Habitat Wake. Two additional Habitat Wake board members, two staff members, one AmeriCorps member and a broad range of community volunteers including a number of parishioners from Raleigh’s Holy Trinity Lutheran Church make up this diverse team.
We will be travelling to the City of Battambang to build cinderblock homes with families in need in that community. We will also get the privilege of spending some time in the city of Siem Reap, home to the world renowned Angkor Wat temple and ancient city. Battambang is home to just over 1 million people and is referred to as the “rice bowl” of Cambodia due to the abundant and fertile rice fields in the area.
Cambodia is located in southeast Asia and is home 14.7 million people, 35% of which live below the local poverty level of $.60/day U.S. Many Americans remember the regime of the Khmer Rouge who ruled the country from 1975-79 and whose brutal reign led to the deaths of 1.7 – 3 million people and the infamy of the “killing fields.” The team will have an opportunity to learn about this history which still has major impact on the country today.
Habitat for Humanity’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Where poverty is extensive so follows the need for housing. Please keep the team in your prayers for safe travel and that the impact we have in Cambodia will be matched by a desire to increase our service to those in need—regardless of borders.
Look here for updates from team members throughout the week as technology allows.