UN Resident Representative in Romania, H.E. Jan Sorensen works on one of the ten homes that were constructed at the launch of the Big Build campaign
UN Resident Representative in Romania, H.E. Jan Sorensen, joined a group of more than 250 volunteers and personalities gathered in Beius, a small town in N-W Romania, at the start of the Big Build campaign. The initiative, led by Habitat for Humanity Romania, aimed to construct 10 houses in just 5 days, for the benefit of post-institutionalized young adults.
With the noise of hundreds of hammers as the frames were raised on the 10 homes a number of key participants took part in a kick-off roundtable discussion to mark the significance of the day, worldwide. H.E. Jan Sorensen, drew attention on the poverty housing affecting a large share of Romania’s population and limited access to decent houses of vulnerable groups such as post-institutionalized youth, disabled or working poor.
Former President of Romania, H.E. Emil Constantinescu, praised the values of volunteer work whereas British Ambassador to Romania, H.E. Robin Barnett, welcomed the important contribution to this event of Habitat for Humanity Northern Ireland. More than 200 of the Big Build volunteers travelled from Northern Ireland to Beius, which was possible with support from communities all across NI including church groups, companies and many individuals.
All throughout the week, dozens of other celebrities put on their helmets and gloves to work side by side with the volunteers and also the final beneficiaries of the houses. Representatives of central and local governments, private companies supporting the event, significant Northern ireland guests and well-known Romanian sportsmen all brought their contributions to the Big Build construction site.
By noon on Friday 9 October 2009, all 10 houses were finished and taken over by their new owners. The beneficiaries entered a give-back scheme according to Habitat for Humanity’s principles, consisting of both cash reimbursements and sweat-equity in order to contribute themselves to the raising of new houses for other vulnerable groups around the country.
The Big Build is the largest celebration of UN World Habitat Day in Europe. It has been an important opportunity to raise awareness and to unite with people across the globe to consider our collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat.
As Peter Farquharson, the Habitat for Humanity Northern Ireland Executive Director, declared ‘Habitat’s commitment to a shared future has always been lived out by bringing volunteers together. Over the last 15 years we have worked with 15,000 volunteers and today, on World Habitat Day as we work together with families and this community in Beius we remind ourselves and speak to the world; not with words but with actions, of our collective responsibility for the future of human habitat. That is why this event is so powerful.’