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New Zealand "Backpack and Build" A Smashing Success!

A reception hosted by Betty and Fred Andresen welcomed home Bobbi and Eric Fleming from their "Backpack and Build" trip to New Zealand. Both adventurers held the group spellbound with stories of their trip.

As part of a diverse group of travelers, whose ages ranged from their twenties to their sixties, Bobbi and Eric traveled to the small city of Dunedin to aid the struggling Habitat affiliate there. With only five permanent members, the Dunedin Habitat group depends on American volunteers to work toward their goals. During their stay, the "Backpack and Build" crew helped to build the home of a 27 year old single mom, Ingrid −a dream unattainable without the group's incredible efforts. CT Thomas, who also went to New Zealand, spoke passionately about what this new home meant to Ingrid.

Time for sightseeing

After the build was done, it was time for some sightseeing. The volunteers traveled on a four-day backpacking trip through a very scenic (and often strenuously steep) territory of the Milford Track. The "sand flies" (like mosquitoes) were a constant nuisance, but generally tolerable, and well worth the effort judging from the pictures of the lush foliage they enjoyed along the way.

A bonding experience

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the trip, however, was the bonding between the future homeowner and her Kiwi neighbors. Language differences between the Habitat crew, Ingrid and her new neighborhood inhabitants added a challenging cultural aspect to the experience; but after working together, a mutual understanding developed among the parties (What do you do when a person wants to speak to a "chip" Why find a carpenter, of course!)

At a price of $3600 per volunteer, this isn't an adventure that can be experienced by everyone, but Bobbi and Eric both agreed it was well worth the cost.

Taken from the May 2000 HfHOC Volunteer Voice

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