Women Build Team 2010 in Romania

Read an interview with Ciara O’Connor, last year’s Women Build team leader!

How did you first become involved with HFH Ireland?

I always wanted to volunteer abroad and came across the Habitat for Humanity Ireland website after a suggestion from someone I worked with. After reading up about Habitat online I found their ethos of providing simple, decent, affordable housing appealed to me. The length of the trips they offered was also a factor in helping me to decide to get involved as it can be hard to get extended time off work and one to two weeks trips are perfect.

What made you decide to go on the Women Build last year?

I had enjoyed my trip the previous year so much that I decided to go back as a team leader and the Women’s build was the perfect opportunity to persuade women that you don’t have to be a builder by trade or a man to go on one of these trips.

What is your favourite memory from the Women Build?

My favourite memory of the build was visiting the home of the family who would be receiving on of the houses we were working on. Marian had been working alongside us  for all week and when he could not make it his mother in-law took his place. One of the evenings after work we travelled with his mother in-law Titi to see her home where Marian, his wife and his child were currently living. The building was in very poor condition by Irish standards but you will never meet a family more house proud and even though they had little, everything they did own was kept immaculate.

What type of work did you do? Did you find it hard work?

We helped lay the foundations, this involved mixing the cement and wheel- barrowing it in to the frame. We then packed the floor fillings in and covered it with a layer of level cement for the floor. None of the work seemed hard because it is rewarding and working alongside the recipients of the houses made you work as hard as you could knowing that your efforts would help provide a decent home for the people you were working with. Plus we had a very helpful site foreman who was a professional builder who gave us all our training and ensure that site safety was paramount!

How did you fundraise for the trip?

I used the MyCharity website which is handy for people who can’t attend your fundraising events to donate money to you and I organised a coffee morning in my workplace. Table quizzes are normally a good night out too and the trip team leaders always have a few good fundraising ideas if you are stuck.

What would be your advice to all the women out there thinking of volunteering with HFH Ireland?

Take the plunge and just go for it. I put off going for years and now I’m looking forward to my third trip and my only regret is that I didn’t start sooner!

What did you gain from it personally?

I gained a sense of accomplishment knowing that instead of simply donating money I donated my time and played a part in building a home for someone which will help improve the quality of their life.