Don’t panic
you haven’t fallen into a time warp and skipped the Summer months to Christmas looming; it’s 40 Sleeps
until our first exciting trip to Malawi with Habitat for Humanity.I’m sure you’re
all now aware of Habitat for Humanity and our partnership to build 24 homes and
improved latrines in Salima ………….if not where have you been hiding?! As the
partnership and the opportunity to be part of the volunteering trips were
received with so much interest, we thought it would be nice for there to be somewhere
for people to follow the progress…………So, welcome to our brand new Blog page!
Whether you
were lucky enough to be picked for the 2016 trip and are looking for further
information or you are just interested in how we are all getting along or wish
to send comments of support, then this is the place to be……...we would love you
to get involved and to hear from you.
I first became aware
of Habitat for Humanity around 5-6 years ago when I was approached by someone I
know to sponsor them in the Hope Challenge, which is Habitat for Humanity’s signature event in Great Britain: an exciting outdoor team
competition set in Derbyshire’s stunning Peak District, whereby teams of 4 to 6 people design and plan their
shelters and bring with them everything they need to build a simple
structure that will keep them warm and dry for two nights. The weekends are full
of physical and mental team challenges and the funds raised support Habitat
for Humanity’s vision of a world where everyone has a
safe and decent place to live.I thought this what a great way to raise
funds, it gave an understanding the challenges of having to build your own home
from scraps, but also to have fun and build relationships with colleagues, all
for a good cause.
So I
read up on Habitat for Humanity to
discover more about them and liked what I found, I believe in what they are
trying to achieve, in that everyone should have a safe and decent place to live
and I wanted to be part of this achievement, so have over the years supported
them in various ways. However, I
personally wanted to do more and be more involved, rather than just donating
money or sponsoring people, I wanted to be a part of it; I wanted to feel a
sense of accomplishment and to feel like I was making a difference, which is
why the volunteering trips became of interest.
Had you heard of
Habitat for Humanity before Touchstone joined in partnership?
I was delighted when
Touchstone announced the partnership with Habitat for Humanity, not only
because I believe in the cause but I also felt it was very fitting with the
business and industry we are in, don’t you think? For Touchstone to also commit to 3 trips over
3 years is very exciting, giving staff the chance to get their hands dirty and be
involved. Having the cost of the trip
shared between the company and the volunteer has shown huge commitment and dedication
from both parties
I am so thrilled to
have been picked for the first of the trips; I am ready for some hard work (ok,
I’m getting there, I will start the gym and get fit tomorrow, promise) but
cannot wait for what I believe to be a lifetime experience and to see
first-hand how the poverty has affected the community, to teach skills that the
community can then continue and share and even turn into revenue.
Why did you sign up
for the 2016 trip? May be you didn’t and
are waiting to see how the first trip goes before you get involved, or maybe
you are happy to support from a distance.
Either way please feel free to be involved through our blog page, we
would love to hear from you.
Subject to modern
technology we hope to provide updates from Malawi, so you can see the progress,
and hear how we are getting on…………… so watch this space.
