Building To Make A Difference In Other People’s Lives Overseas
In our consumer, ‘money means everything’ age, it is hard to understand why anyone would volunteer their time and skills for no financial reward. However, many people are doing just that working on building projects in other countries to help those less fortunate than themselves.
The volunteers come from all walks of life. Some are students, some are retired professionals and some are taking career breaks. Their skill levels range from construction professionals such as bricklayers and carpenters to those who are armed with only their enthusiasm. They all have one thing in common. They all want to make a difference whether they are building new housing in rural Ghana or setting up a new medical centre in South America.
Big Business Backing The Volunteers
It is not just volunteers who are making a difference, the Pervaiz Naviede Family Trustthas been involved in many socially and environmentally enhancing projects in the UK. The Trust’s ethos is to bring long-term benefits to communities, including urban regeneration projects and programmes to boost economic growth. The Trust is now turning its attention abroad providing assistance with overseas building projects in parts of the world affected by conflict. Their backing and the work of skilled volunteers is proving invaluable, turning lives around and making a real difference.
Sharing Knowledge
Some of the most important overseas building projects in developing countries are about providing basic infrastructure and passing those skills on to local people who will be able to make best use of them. Equally volunteers learn a great deal in return. They may learn traditional building techniques or carpentry skills which may help them in their working lives back home. It is for those from western countries to assume their ways are best but people from the host countries have so much knowledge to share and all too often lack of progress is stalled by a lack of resources.
What Sort Of Attributes Are Required For Volunteers On An Overseas Building Project?
– Physical fitness
– Enthusiasm
– Tolerance
– Pragmatism and adaptability
– A strong work ethic
– Being prepared to work as part of a team
Even those experienced in the building trade will struggle if they lack these attributes. It is easier said than done to work in a different climate, with people who don’t speak the same language and have different ways of working in often far more difficult conditions that westerners will ever experience. Come the evening, the chances are the volunteers will be staying with a host family, eating strange food and unable to relax in front of the TV.
Our hats must be taken off to people who do volunteer on overseas building projects because their expertise is making a real difference. Third world villages have clean water, the towns have hospitals and children are going to school because of the dedication of a band of volunteers who are giving up their time and money to help. With so much need in the world, they will be kept busy for many years to come.
AUTHOR BIO:
Ali Brown is an experienced writer and journalist whose specialisms include travel and environmental issues. She is particularly interested in the work of the Pervaiz Naviede Family Trust with regard to their sustainable building projects.
Category: Charity
