Habitat Kyrgyzstan Foundation Project Description

1. How long has your project been in existence?
   Since 1999.
    
2. How did the project start?
   Kyrgyzstan is the first country in Newly Independent States that started cooperation with Habitat for Humanity International. Habitat Kyrgyzstan was established by the local initiative group of people who had lands but were not able to build their houses because of lack of finance. In 1996 they found that there is an International organization of Habitat for Humanity and send them an e-mail. After being in correspondence, in 1997 the first representatives of HFHI visited Kyrgyzstan to research the poverty housing situation and eligibility of the initiative group to work under the principles of HFHI. After several negotiations and visits, in 1999 Habitat Kyrgyzstan Foundation was established as a local non-profit, non-governmental organization and an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. 
    
   In May 2000, Habitat Kyrgyzstan broke ground for the first ten houses on a plot of land which was donated by the city of Bishkek and has been re-named "Habitat region". The houses range in size from one bedroom to four bedrooms. In 2003 Habitat Kyrgyzstan started renovation of existing apartments and houses. In 2004 a new project in building cane reed houses was started. Right now the affiliate is building new houses, renovating apartments and complete half-build houses.
    
3. Description of the project:
   The Habitat Kyrgyzstan Foundation is the Kyrgyz affiliate of International organization Habitat for Humanity and has the following objectives:
   • To eliminate poverty housing in Kyrgyzstan
   • To make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action
   • To invite people from all walks of life to work together in partnership to help build houses with families in need
      
     Habitat Kyrgyzstan builds simple, decent and affordable houses that are sold to people in need with a long term, no interest loan. Homeowner families are chosen according to their need; their ability to repay the mortgage; and their willingness to work in partnership with Habitat. The building and renovation of houses are being done through volunteer labor, families who purchase a Habitat home and with the help of friends of Habitat’s work. This makes Habitat houses affordable to low-income people worldwide. 
      
     Despite the fact that the organization experiences many challenges like no tax exemptions, increase in prices for construction materials etc. yet significant work has been done by now. 130 families were provided with a decent place to live. Habitat Kyrgyzstan Foundation builds in Bishkek city and in Barskoon village (in Issykul region). At the end of 2006 Habitat starts a new building project in another village.
      
     For more information, please see our website: www.habitat.elcat.kg 
      
4. Is your project religious?
   Habitat Kyrgyzstan Foundation is a religion-free organization. However HKF follows the main principles of Habitat for Humanity International which is a Christian ecumenical organization.
    
5. Have you ever had volunteers at your project?
   Yes. Every year we have individuals and teams of foreign volunteers as well as locals.
    
6. Are you currently part of a volunteer program?
   No.
    
7. How many volunteers can you handle at the same time?
   Up to 10. Yet we should know the dates a few months prior.
    
8. What time of year do you want volunteers?
   From May to September.
    
9. What is the minimum and maximum time volunteers can stay?
   Min: 1 week, Max: 1 year
    
10. How much would you like volunteers to donate to the project?
    Donation amount for 1 week- $30
    Donation amount for 2 weeks- $55
    Donation amount for 3 weeks - $80
    Donation amount for 1 month - $105
    Donation amount for 2 months - $185
    Donation amount for 3 months- $350
    Donation amount for 6 months - $600
    Donation amount for 1 year - $1,000
     
11. Would you accept a volunteer who cannot afford to donate or to donate the entire amount?
    Yes.
     
12. What will you use the donations for?
    The donations will be used only for construction projects that includes purchase of construction materials, tools, payment to specialists for electrical works and sanitary engineering works etc.
     
13. Would you provide the volunteer with simple food and/or accommodation?
    We do not provide accommodation, but we do help to find affordable and cozy apartments with all necessary furniture and kitchen utensils.
     
    We provide lunch on the construction site cooked by families who are the future homeowners. 
     
14. Who can volunteer?
    People of from all walks of life, any religions, nations, gender, over 18 years old and more. No construction skills are required but willingness to help to build for the needy.
     
15. How far in advance will a volunteer have to contact you before they can come and volunteer at your project?
    Minimum 2 - 3 months prior.
     
16. Do you have any language requirements?
    Preferably English and Russian.
     
17. Is there anyone else, former volunteers, that we can contact (by email) as a reference for your project?
    Yes, please feel free to contact the volunteers below.
     
    Ed Armstrong at mredarm@msn.com
    Spencer Low at email@spencerlow.com
    Margaret Hegg at hegg@ix.netcom.com
     
18. Additional comments?
    Sub-standard housing is prevalent throughout Kyrgyzstan in both urban and rural areas. Many Kyrgyz families live in deteriorated houses which were built as public housing projects twenty or more years ago and which have received little or no maintenance in the last 10 years, causing a sharp decline in standards of living. Kyrgyzstan is experiencing a major population shift as the rural population moves to cities looking for work. The result is massive housing shortages in many areas. Overcrowding is a huge problem with entire floors of apartment buildings all sharing one bathroom, usually without water. In each apartment, one can usually find extended families to the third generation, sharing 1 room with no bathroom or running water. Habitat Kyrgyzstan is the only company in the country that is allowing the poor to step out and stay out of poverty housing. 
     
    Habitat invites volunteers to work together in partnership to help build houses with families in need and build relations based on friendship and mutual help.