"Like" and Share Our Facebook Page

Hello friends and family,

In today's fast paced world of technology, we are trying to reach as many people as possible to increase our volunteers and donations so we can continue to spread our message of goodwill and affordable housing for all.

We have created a Facebook page which you can access here:

https://www.facebook.com/HabitatForHumanityMalaysia

We would be very grateful if you would "Like" our page so that we can attain our goal of 30,000 "likes" by May 31st, 2013.

Please share our page with your friends and family as we will be updating it regularly with new projects and upcoming events.

Thank you so much!

Need Your Help!

We are in the midst of planning a Fundraising Dinner for Habitat for Humanity Malaysia. The proposed date will be in July 2013 in Kuala Lumpur. Therefore we are actively looking for volunteers who can contribute in the following areas :-

*BEFORE THE EVENT DAY

1. Fundraising / Event Management

i.) Experience in planning and carrying out the program

2. IT Skill

- HFH presentation

i.)  Power point presentation-slide / slide show

3. Design & Artwork Skill

i.)  Invitation card

ii.)  Ticket

iii.)  Event agenda layout

iv.)  Tick note for donation to ‘Brick-by-Brick’ campaign

v.)  Souvenir Program Pages

vi.)  Poster

vii.)  Brochure

viii.)  Thank you note

ix.)  Door gift bag

x.)  T-shirt

xi.)  HFH recycle bag

xii.)  House Model ‘Brick-by-Brick’

4. Good Writing Skill

i.)  For news reporting

ii.)  Press write-up

iii.)  Annual report

5. Admin

i.)  Administration skills – Posting, mailing invitation etc

ii.)  Database for guest invitation list / fundraising contacts

* ON THE EVENT DAY

6. Digital Skill

- To record the whole event

i.)  Photography

ii.)  Videography

7. Receptionist

i.)  To handle registration

ii.)  Door gifts

iii.)  Brochures

8. Usher

i.)  Welcoming the guest

ii.)  Direct guest to their seats

iii.)  Collect ‘tick note’

Please let us know whether you could contribute to any of the above requirement and delegate your volunteer time with us. Please contact Joanne Sim at 03-2070 4254 or email to info@hfhmalaysia.org. Thank you

No Ordinary Weekend

*An article written by Bank Negara Malaysia - volunteer : Chiew Hui Lin (Edited)

The mission of Habitat for Humanity is simple, there is to help low-income families who find it near impossible to take a loan to build or repair homes that have deteriorated into unlivable conditions. Yet Habitat concept is extraordinary – it has successfully partnered with private sectors in engaging their resources, energy and time in contributing to the program, without resorting to handouts. And the cherry on top is: such volunteerism is life changing experience.

On the 12^th and 19^th of January, two groups of 20-odd people from Bank Negara Malaysia were at Puan Lisah’s modest single-storey home in Sungai Pelek, Sepang. Our aim is to replace the termite-ridden walls with sturdy brick walls. Under the supervision of Habitat staff and the expert eye of Pak Jamil, the tukang, we soon got to work. We tore a wood-panel wall down with nothing more than a hammer, a crowbar and some masculine aggression.  We smashed concrete to smithereens using a sledgehammer, hey this could be a very good therapeutic anger management exercise.

We had a good experience in cement mixing, forming a human conveyor belt to pass bricks and laying bricks to construct the wall. We saw how windows are inserted into walls, and each of us has our turn to try different tasks. We had a good time of working, learning, laughing and making fun of each other.

Under such heat and labour, the most welcoming sight was the ice-cream man and of course one of our team member shouted “ICE-CREAM” at the top of her lungs and soon all of us gathered around him to get a taste of coldness. But the most satisfying moments is to see the wall raised up before our eyes and what more to know that we did it.

Life for many of us is strikingly routines and often aimless, that’s why we try to give our life more meaning by open up our eyes and hearts to the underprivileged and the needy. Thus Habitat’s program gives us a real opportunity to join force and really “Make a Difference”. And the most profound part was how real we felt; with our own hands laying every brick, every layer, we were giving someone a better home, a better hope. Aching backs and arms regardless, a heartfelt thank-you from Puan Lisah at closure was really needed to feel it was truly a well-spent Saturday.

Nine pair of hands that made a difference!

*An article written by volunteer : Rizalman Samiun (Edited)

It was a beautiful Saturday morning in Sg. Pelek, and nine volunteers from various walks of life including five Korean students, and me who turned up late, intended to make a difference.

  

The objective of this get together was simple, that was to restructure two side-walls for the house of Encik Saparrudin Abd Hamid. We demolished the current termites-infested walls, cleared out the debris and reconstructed the new walls. Though there was a minor injury, we were grateful that all things turned up well, and that remind us always take safety precaution.

 

This day had become an unforgettable experience for nine of us. We learnt and did something totally new. The spirit was high and the mishap didn’t deter our vigorous nature to give our best to bring change to the family. We made friends as we chatted, joked, laughed and exchanged cultural views including a nice treat of Korean Kimbap.   

It was indeed a fun and worthy day for all!

Much more than homes... with H.E.A.R.T.S.

*An article written by volunteer : Kio-san

Habitat for Humanity is not just about building houses.  On a sunny Saturday morning we went to Openhands shelter to provide some labor with the residents there to clean and beautify their residence.   

Our group was composed of two college friends, a lovely young lady on her first Habitat outing, a group of motivated students from INTI, an experienced Habitat volunteer from Japan, and the wonderful residents of Openhands. We met for the first time there not knowing what to expect.  We first got all of the tools, paint and equipment ready for a day of hard work.

Instead of the usual house building, we were there to paint the gate and the fence railing, pull weeds from the yard, clear out and organize their library, and clear and beautify the back yard.  Although it required no previous experience or skill, it was still difficult and challenging work with the heat and sun beating down on us.  But with great team work we were able to accomplish the tasks.

It wasn’t just hard work we were there to do.  We were given the opportunity to help celebrate a birthday of one of the residents of Openhands, which was a very special event for all of us.  We also played games and did a bit of magic to entertain the children.

Although it was a one day volunteer event, I know I speak for everyone when I say that it was a fun and fulfilling day.  Not only was it fun, but Habitat for Humanity gave us an opportunity to do something positive for the community!