Sisters Habitat set to 'go global' again

Next stop, Kyrgyzstan.

Sisters Habitat is seeking volunteers to join a Global Village trip scheduled to start on September 6, 2014. The team of 10 volunteers will build a home in Barskoon, Kyrgyzstan, in Central Asia.

Sisters residents Jack and MaryAnne McDonnell will lead the team. In 2012, the McDonnells were among seven people who represented Sisters Habitat at Habitat International's Everest "Big Build," where 400 volunteers from all over the world built 40 homes in an impoverished area of Nepal. Jack and MaryAnne were tapped to serve as "house leaders" for the build. Their team built a house for a family of six. They were so moved by the experience that they vowed to continue this work by sharing their building experience and passion for Asian travel. In 2013 they received training from Habitat International to lead Global Village trips abroad.

Kyrgyzstan, known as the "Switzerland of Central Asia" for its high mountains, lush valleys and stunning scenery, also contains some of the largest mountain lakes in the world. Kyrgyz people are hospitable and friendly, but most are struggling financially.

Kyrgyzstan is one of the poorest countries in Central Asia, with nearly 70 percent of the population living in substandard housing or homeless. With massive housing shortages in many areas, it is not unusual for three generations to be crowded into a single room with no heating or water supply.

As part of its affiliation with Habitat International, Sisters Habitat is expected to tithe each year to build homes overseas. To date, Sisters Habitat has provided funding for 84 homes abroad. Recently, the Sisters Habitat board voted to designate its $16,000 tithe to Kyrgyzstan Habitat. Since 1991, Sisters Habitat for Humanity has partnered with 52 Sisters families to provide energy-efficient, affordable housing.

Habitat for Humanity seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the face of the earth, and make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Offering "a hand up, not a handout," Habitat helps qualified families receive low-cost mortgages to pay for their homes, and homeowner families are required to gain "sweat equity" by participating in the building process.

For more information about joining the Kyrgyzstan Global Village trip, contact Sharlene Weed at 541-549-1193 or [email protected]