Sawadee?
Hello everyone in Japan!
A month and a half since I arrived in Bangkok, I have been enjoying my new life as an intern at HFH Thailand. Lately, I get to visit Japanese embassy to apply for the ODA (Overseas Development Aid) grant, and approaching local and Japanese companies to ask for their support on HFH Thailand's activities. My everyday here is filled with all those new experiences.
Today, I would like to share a few things I learnt through the eyes of the receiving/hosting point of view.
One reason I am glad to be here is that I can visit to the construction fields often.
Side by side with the Homeowners who are working very hard to complete their own house, I get to enjoy breaking a sweat to support them.
I visit a community called Suea Yai located in Bangkok. Many of its residents have migrated from the rural areas throughout the country, and foamed a community over time. As the metro Bangkok expands, the land is rezoned and readjusted making the low-income families unable to secure the living spaces. Under such situation, HFH Thailand is working closely with the government to arrange space for the people at Suea Yai, and now 88 houses are on the projection.

However, lack of he support form the volunteers is causing problems.
Habitat does not give out the houses for free, but the homeowners provide their time through "sweat equity" to work with volunteers from around the world. Many of them must work during the week to pay for the temporally housing till Habitat house completes, pushing the sweat equity on to the weekends. Not enough volunteers = Lack of construction force = less house gets build; we need to end this vicious circle.
As I only have seen the Habitat's field of assistance from the participating volunteer's point of view, I used to wonder if my work was any help at all. But I was wrong to think that way. Though my help maybe small contribution, it surely adds up to their efforts and eventually the house gets build. I finally realized the significance of the sum of such small moves we make each day.

Another thing I learnt here is the importance to enjoy making such small moves.
In the beginning of this month, I was at the worksite of Chomblee 2 hours away from Bangkok by car, to host a church volunteer team. Many different people like elementary kids to grandmas added up to a huge group of 70, and they were all helping and giving in their own ways each of them could. Most of all, their smiles showed how much fun them were having working for others. I think that volunteering is to enjoy giving out of what we have to share. No need for obligation nor thinking twice, but it is a way to express and realize the feelings and to feel happiness in the process of giving.
What's great about Habitat is how the faces of the homeowners are visible for volunteers.
So I recommend you to just take a step to join. You won't be forced to work hard, just enjoy sharing what you can. Working with the Homeowners, I am sure that you will receive a lot in return. I will be working and learning more about hosting to prepare to host the volunteer tour team from Japan in August! Join me in Thailand, this summer!
Keiko Shimizu
Intern, (Japanese CSR Officer)
HFH Thailand
"Do it, and Enjoy your life!"