Habitat of Durham was recently awarded a certificate of recognition from Habitat for Humanity International for exemplary participation in the Tithe program.  Habitat of Durham was identified as among the top 25 participants for comparably-sized affiliates.  

All Habitat affiliates are asked to “tithe”—to give 10 percent of their contributions to fund house-building work in other nations. Tithing provides much-needed funds for international building, and it gives affiliates the opportunity to demonstrate the spirit of Christian partnership.

Habitat of Durham partners with Honduras, sending tithe and participating in the “House for a House” program through Habitat International.  Every time a house is built for a deserving family in Durham, a house is sponsored for an equally deserving family in Honduras. Habitat of Durham has sent tithe donations of $275,000 since 2006 and built 65 homes with our sister affiliate in Honduras.

Twice a year Habitat staff members and volunteers travel to Honduras to participate in the building process.  On these 10-day mission trips, volunteers work alongside future Honduran homeowners and local volunteers, under the supervision of Honduran masons. The work is rigorous – mixing cement by hand, digging trenches for foundations, moving boulders or cinder block, making adobe brick, laying blocks to build the walls – but teamwork makes the labor fun.

Although building houses is the main objective for the trip, volunteers also take time to learn about the host country and its culture and history, and interact with new Honduran friends. After work, volunteers may play soccer or baseball, spend time with the children in an orphanage, visit a coffee processing plant, louffa factory or farmers market.

Some comments from participants of past trips:
• “By the end of the week, we found we were leaving behind far more than what our sweat and sore muscles had accomplished. We went to give and to serve, and in turn, we were embraced with love and filled with gratitude for the opportunity to be among these amazing people.” M.H.
• "Every day, as I worked beside these people who had nothing materially, but were so rich in spirit, I felt the presence of God in clear and powerful ways. There was no doubt in my mind that I had not gone to Honduras just to build houses and share gifts. I was there so that my life could be changed.” M.R.
• “The trip to Honduras was an amazing experience, truly bringing a new perspective to the blessings God has provided me and my responsibility to give and share.” J.S.

Habitat of Durham is helping to eliminate poverty housing in both the United States and Honduras, one family at a time.  

Proposed Honduras trip for 2010:
• March 5 – 14
Projected cost: $1,600 per person

For more information or to apply, contact Margaret Rubiera at: [ email ]

Click here to see photos from the 2009 trips to Honduras.  

Click here to learn more about Habitat for Humanity Honduras.