World Habitat Day – Bangalore, India

GCSD participated at the World Habitat Day celebrations organized by the Habitat for Humanity (India) held on 5^th October 2009 hosted at the St. Joseph’s Commerce College, Bangalore. The main highlight of this World Habitat Celebration was the launch of Habitat for Humanity’s newest program, Women Build. The initiative begins by March 2010, with about 100 women joining hands to build homes for 150 women. A lot of these homes will be eventually owned by single-women households, divorced women, widowed women, and thus empowering women in need.

The Chief Guest, Ms. Jija Madhavan Harisingh, director general of Police stood up to speak before the audience about the pressing issue of homes/available habitats to underprivileged people. Her moving speech included statistics from the recent flood disaster in Northern Karnataka, and how pressing this issue really is. Her goal was successful, as she shed some very interesting lights on the work that needs to be done in this area.

Some other key speakers were Ms. Priya Godhi, a UN-Habitat representative, who gave her two cents on the matter. Anugraha John was also asked to speak to the audience about his experiences concerning this issue. He spoke about his previous experience working on an actual Build site with Habitat. He also spoke about the Youth Fund Opportunity available to young people from the UN-Habitat and the need for young people to engage in such volunteering work that transform lives of many. Some corporate speakers also spoke about their own experiences on a Habitat BUILD. The homeowners who have benefited from the program were also present and spoke about their joy and happiness in realization of their dream of owning a house. The children from the community danced to the tunes of the famous song 'Jai ho' from the Slumdog Millionaire at this event.  

Mr. Felix Fernandes, director Habitat of Humanity, India signed a contract with Mr. Duate Baretto, FEDINA which will enhance their relationship and help build more homes in the Ullalu Upanagara area.

Mr. Joseph, director of the Habitat for Humanity, Bangalore Resource center ended the program with vote of thanks. He was mainly in-charge of the overall success of the programme on this day.

Global Citizens for Sustainable Development was pleased to bring 10 young volunteers to help out with this event. Global Citizens plans to partner with Habitat for Humanity in one of their main programmes, YOUTH BUILD project by engaging young volunteers mostly college students from Bangalore in December 2009. 

If you are interested in helping out this December for one day and really getting a hands-on experience for helping people, please e-mail us at info@globalcitizens.org.in.