'˜Eye-opening' work in Ethiopia for Greenisland man

Jordan Benson spent two weeks in the town of Fitche, building homes beside families who have a child with a disability.

Funds raised in Northern Ireland have supported Habitat Ethiopia’s work in the poorest communities for a total of 12 years, empowering families to improve the place they call home.

“The trip with Habitat was an eye-opening experience,” Jordan said.

“It was amazing to work beside local people and see the impact that better living conditions have on families.

“There are so many ways to support Habitat’s work and I’d encourage everyone to get involved in whatever way they can.”

Every year volunteers from Northern Ireland support Habitat NI’s partner programmes through donations and volunteering in countries including Ethiopia, Malawi, Cambodia, India and Romania.

Jenny Williams, Chief Executive of Habitat NI said: “One in four people in our world do not have a safe place to call home. Safe shelter saves lives and thanks to the generous support we receive from people across Northern Ireland, more families are healthier, children do better in school and parents have the chance to earn a stable income. Home is the start of it, for all of us.

“Yet tonight and every night too many families will go to sleep without a door that locks or protection from the elements.

“There is so much more to do and we hope local people will continue to support this life-changing work.”

Habitat NI have a number of opportunities to support long-term partner programmes in 2017 by fundraising and/or volunteering in Ethiopia, Malawi, Romania, India and Cambodia.

Visit www.habitatni.co.uk or call 028 92 635 635 for more information.