Habitat for Humanity is a new one-off course, ”Good Relations and Citizenship Programme“, taken by Mrs Dalzell with 11 year 13 pupils getting involved. Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, non-denominational Christian housing charity. Their goal is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world. The programme aims to support schools delivering the ”Learning for Life and Work“ curriculum. Pupils unite from across the sectarian divide to build together and participate in creative, interactive workshops in schools.

This programme is designed to motivate young people to consider what factors influence their society and demonstrate the role they can have in regenerating communities, particularly in post-conflict settings. Beyond the focus of local communities, the programme stimulates young people to consider the wider global community and their roles in it.

The pupils attended 2 workshop days as well as a construction day where they actually got to go onto a building site and help in any way they were able. The workshops included team building activities, examination of stereotypes and prejudice and how they affect society, health and safety, impact of conflict in society, especially our local communities and many many more. These days were packed full of fun and learning - the girls definitely needed rest after this!

There were two schools involved in this course, 11 year 13 girls from the Girls Model and 11 year 14 boys from La Salle Boys School. Team building was the emphasis for the course and learning about different cultures and beliefs as well as learning some handy new skills. The day on the building site was the most exhausting, challenging, but the most fun where the team got to help the builders by passing up slates and anything practical that was required to assist the builders.

The Girls Model Team consisted of:
· Linzi Pollock
· Ayria Jackson
· Mellissa Irwin
· Chereen Foster
· Laura Buchanon
· Nichola Williams
· Kelly Warnock
· Rebecca Hindes
· Vikki Lenaghan
· Ashleigh Wilson
· Margaret Walker

Some of the feedback from the girls included:

”I found the experience very worthwhile and I want to do more to get involved with Habitat for Humanity. I had fun while I was doing something very meaningful and valuable. I love that I could have made a difference to someone I don‘t know - but they will get something they may not have if Habitat for Humanity hadn‘t of helped“.

”I learned that one person can make a huge difference no matter what and that I want to do more to help. I also learned so much about working as a team on site and off and how to communicate better with team members. I also learned that our team, even though form different backgrounds, had many things in common and that the differences are very small“.

All pupils answered they would volunteer again in the community within the post-course evaluation and that this course had made them realise the importance of this. Thanks must go to Mrs Dalzell, Miss Shaw and the teachers from La Salle for their contribution and what a great difference this course has made to a number of the pupils from both schools.

There are several ways you can get involved with Habitat for humnaity:
· In the office
· In the joinery workshop
· Throughout Northern Ireland as a speaker or fundraiser
· In you church as a link person

If you are interested in finding out more about Habitat for Humanity or getting involved then for information about volunteering contact (028)90262944 or for information on home ownership contact (028)90262945.