Habitat for Humanity’s main goal is to eradicate poverty housing in the face of the earth and this is mainly through partnerships with the people in need or rather the target group. However, it has been challenging as far as land acquisition is concerned, given that it is one of the aspects that are required for Habitat’s goals to be realised.
Around the city, people in need are identified and decent low cost houses are constructed for them. The occupants of these low-cost houses are given a grace period of ten years to pay back.
In so doing, more low-cost houses are constructed for other people who may be in a similar needy situation. The cost of constructing the houses is within a range of US$800-US$1,300.
A special project that Habitat for Humanity had was with the Orphanage community in the city of Uganda. The decent low-cost houses were constructed for the able-bodied orphans and small income-generating projects set up for them.
This would actually enable these young orphans be able to pay back in a shorter time than the stipulated 10 years. Such income-generating projects include rearing of poultry and pigs.
Habitat for Humanity helps to fundraise for the construction of the decent low-cost houses and also sensitizes their target groups about the benefits of decent housing. Sensitization involves explaining to the people the benefits of good housing as a foundation to social and economic well being.
The most urgent issues in the city today are the need to have a cooperative and supportive society in order to have it prosper and blossom.
Young people are the backbone of their communities and need to be educated on issues that are developmental in aspects that harmonise human nature. This also requires their will and commitment. Incentives have to be given to the youth so that they keep encouraged and this can also have an influence on their innovation skills.
With time, Patrick’s hope is to see that everybody around and within the city has a decent place to live. This means most slummy areas will be gotten rid of. Crimes that mostly occur in these slum areas of the city will be reduced. Disease outbreaks will also drop considerably given that people have clean and hygienic homes.
Patrick’s source of inspiration is mainly backed up by his passion for social responsibility. The will to give back to the community is a special element that has always driven him to helping the less privileged people and making a difference in their lives.
His advice to young people, in their respective communities, is to think beyond themselves and put their communities into consideration. With this attitude in place, positive changes are effected.
He believes young people have the energy and have time and can make a difference. Money, however, as much as it may be a necessity at a certain points, should not be an excuse for not being able to come up with authentic ideas that can eventually be implemented. These sorts of actions can put a community on the right course to development for the better of its people.
Together, we can make a difference.
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