21^st – 29^th September 2013

The deadline for applications is 31st May 2013 – spaces are limited

This is a unique opportunity to live and build alongside Brent Pope and some of Ireland rugby legends on a Habitat project in Buenos Aires.

During this week long trip, you will experience Argentinian culture, work alongside local communities and make new friends, while helping a family improve their housing conditions.

After a hard week’s work onsite, the team will relax watching Argentina play the All Blacks live in the Boca stadium.

No construction experience is required to join the trip as all training will be provided onsite by skilled professionals.

Brent Pope has enthusiastically supported Habitat’s work since 2010 and has travelled on two similar trips to Zambia. Several high-profile rugby legends have joined Brent on his travels, including Malcolm O’Kelly in 2011, and Liam Toland, Paddy Johns and Angus McKeen in 2012.

While Brent and the volunteers are working onsite in Buenos Aires, a team of enthusiastic cyclists will embark on a Habitat Ireland fundraising cycle across North West Argentina. Learn more about the cycle here.

Click here to learn more about Brent’s work with Habitat.

Argentina lies in the heart of South America, bordered by Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and Chile. There is an enormous geographic contrast between the eastern plains and the Andes mountain range to the west.

Unfortunately, there is also an enormous economic and social contrast. Despite breathtaking landscapes and modern business centres, more than 10 million people (25 percent of the population) live in inadequate housing conditions.

In December 2001, Argentina suffered a severe economic collapse that left 50 percent of the population below the poverty line. The country continues to experience high inflation which makes it difficult for low income families to find affordable and safe housing.

In disadvantaged areas, it is estimated that more than 3 million homes are in need of repair. Nationally, 20 percent of people do not have access to a convenient water source for cooking.

Hábitat Argentina

Since 2002, Hábitat para la Humanidad Argentina has been working to provide families with the opportunity to solve their own housing problems.

This trip will be based on Hábitat Argentina’s project in Buenos Aires. Habitat volunteers will spend one week building alongside local trade professionals and the future homeowners.

Typical tasks include:

• Digging foundations/septic tank
• Mixing cement to fill in foundations
• Preparing foundations and floors
• Assisting laying bricks and plastering
• Sanding, painting, etc.

For more information, click ‘enquire’ and a member of our staff will contact you.

Brent hard at work onsite. © Habitat for Humanity Ireland/ Dylan Vaughan 2012.

Click here to read Brent’s experience of volunteering overseas with Habitat

Homeowner Story

Victor Bogarín is 29 years old. Victor, his wife Rosana and their two children, Lucas and Facundo, live in La Matanza, Buenos Aires. When the Bogarín family found out that Hábitat Argentina were building in their community, they decided to apply to the project. They soon found out they were eligible and began participating in the ‘Seed House Project’.

The Seed House Project enables low-income families to build a basic, upgradable house alongside Habitat volunteers.The family can then build extensions onto the house in the future, if they wish.

During the nine months of the project, Victor and Rosana worked alongside family members and volunteers to complete the house. The seed house has given Victor and Rosana the opportunity to have a decent home for their family. Their house was finished in the middle of 2011, and Victor has already begun to work on building more rooms onto their new home.

Volunteer Story

Volunteers Elaine O’Connor and Mark McNamara working onsite. (c) Habitat for Humanity Ireland / Dylan Vaughan

“Seeing the conditions that some people live in makes you realise how valuable the work that Habitat does really is; the homes create such a safe and stable environment.”

Mark McNamara is from Dublin, and travelled on the Brent Pope Rugby Legends trip to Zambia in 2012. We talked to Mark about why he chose to volunteer on the trip and how it impacted him. Read his story here.

PLEASE NOTE:    This itinerary is subject to change once team numbers are finalised and flight schedules are confirmed

Saturday 21st September – Arrive in Argentina

Arrive in Buenos Aires

Airport pick-up by HFH Argentina and transported to accommodation

Free time & Dinner

Sunday 22nd September – Orientation

Welcome and Orientation Meeting

An informal rugby training session with the Pumas and the local community.

Dinner

Return to accommodation

Monday 23rd – Thursday 26th September – Build Days

(On Monday there will be a short orientation onsite to meet the families, learn about the history of their neighbourhood, the projects, and go over logistics and safety)

Breakfast served at accommodation before travelling to worksite

Pick up at 8:00am

Work from 9:00 – 4:00pm with lunch on site alongside families

Finish work 4:00pm

Transported back to accommodation

Dinner

Activities will be planned for each evening

Friday 27th September – Half Day Build

Breakfast served at accommodation before travelling to worksite

Pick up at 8:00am

Work from 9:00 – 1:00pm

Farewell lunch in the community from 1:00 – 3:00pm

Transported back to accommodation

Evaluation and closing meeting from 4:00 – 6:00pm

Dinner

Activities will be planned for the evening

Saturday 28th September – Rest and Relaxation

Dedication ceremony with the new homeowner families and local community

Watch Argentina v All Blacks live in the Boca stadium (This will be covered by the €250 personal contribution.)

Sunday 29th September – Travel Home

Depart Buenos Aires airport

Travel details will be confirmed when flights have been booked.

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants for this trip must be aged 18 years or over at time of travel.

The deadline for applications is 31st May 2013 – spaces are limited.

Fundraising: You are required to fundraise approximately €3,500 for this trip. This will cover:

• A donation to Habitat for Humanity
• Pre-departure training
• Comprehensive insurance
• Flights
• Local transport
• Accommodation
• Food
• Activities

Food: Western style food will be available along with local Argentinian cuisine.

Accommodation: The group will be staying in a basic hotel. It will be safe and secure with comfortable beds, hot showers and electricity.

Weather: September is the beginning of spring in Buenos Aires and the temperature will be pleasant.

Application process:

1)         Apply online

2)         You will receive a phone call regarding your application

3)         A meeting will be arranged with the Team Leader to discuss the trip

4)         Pay €250 deposit (this goes towards the fundraising target)

5)         You are a Habitat volunteer!

Want more information about the trip before applying? Fill in our ‘Enquiry‘ form and a member of our staff will contact you as soon as possible.