Dear Editor,
I am part of a group of 25 from NUIG going to Zambia on behalf of Habitat for Humanity (HFH) from 30 May until 17 June. The group is made up of 21 students and four team leaders. We will be building houses for selected families in need in Kawama, Zambia.

These houses will be constructed without electricity or running water and will be made from clay blocks using corrugated iron sheets for the roofs. This is in comparison to typical Zambian homes that are grass thatched, mud and wattle structures that require annual overhauling. The group will work alongside local volunteers and families doing work such as bricklaying, carpentry, plastering and painting.

The population of Zambia is 13 million and 86 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line. The average life expectancy in Zambia is 37. Seventeen per cent of the population have AIDs and, as a result, there are 800,000 children with one or both parents dead. The team will be building homes that are to be owned by families of orphans and vulnerable children. The families most in need that purchase HFH homes repay about €7 a month, which is then put back into making more homes in the community.

We are seeking to raise €67,500 towards this project. Habitat for Humanity Ireland is a registered charity (CHY 15187) and consequently donations of €250 or more may be deducted against taxes. Cheques may be made payable to 'Habitat for Humanity', myself, or Fr Iomar Daniels, St Declan's, Distillery Road, NUIG. You can also donate on our Zambia group website at www.mycharity.ie/event/nuigzambia08/. We really appreciate any financial assistance.

Thank you for your time,
Mark Jennings,
Corcullen,
Galway.

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