Sisters Habitat builds in Kyrgyzstan

The community is invited to a slideshow presentation by Jack and MaryAnne McDonnell about their 2015 Habitat for Humanity International build trip to the beautiful country of Kyrgyzstan - known as "the Switzerland of Central Asia."

The presentation will take place at Sisters Library on Thursday, February 11, at 6 p.m.

In September 2015, Sisters Habitat for Humanity sent a team of four to work with Habitat for Humanity International to complete a home-building project in the village of Barskoon, Kyrgyzstan. The team, known as "Small but Mighty," consisted of the McDonnells, Sally Benton - all Sisters residents - and Rod Bullard of Canby who assisted Jack and MaryAnne on their 2012 Habitat for Humanity "Everest Big Build" in Nepal.

During the two-week build in Barskoon, the team was able to complete the foundation and assist in the beginning of building the brick walls of a home for a three-generational family of six; a grandmother, mother and father, and three children.

In September 2016, Jack and MaryAnne will lead another team to Barskoon, a village near the shore of beautiful Lake Issyk-kul - the second-largest alpine lake in the world. They will continue work on the same house and resume the relationship with this wonderful and very appreciative family.

This will be the third trip to Barskoon for Jack and MaryAnne, who have found helping families in this breathtaking country to be such a rewarding and fulfilling experience.

Sisters Habitat for Humanity is seeking adventurous volunteers to join the McDonnells. No building experience is required, only a desire to help a family in need of a decent home while learning about each other's cultures in the process.

Sisters Habitat contributes 10 percent of the net proceeds from the Thrift Store and ReStore to Habitat International for building homes overseas. Last year Sisters Habitat contributed $10,000 to Kyrgyzstan. Since its inception, Sisters Habitat has contributed funds to build 97 homes abroad.

For more information on the upcoming build, contact Sharlene Weed at Sisters Habitat for Humanity at 541-549-1193, [email protected]