The Mission of Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFHI seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need. Learn more about Habitat for Humanity at www.habitat.org. Habitat for Humanity International’s Global Village trips offer participants the unique privilege to become active partners with people of another culture. Team members work alongside members of the host community and get to know another culture in a way very few can. Global Village volunteers have the opportunity to participate in local cultural activities, help raise awareness of the burden of poverty housing and, of course, further Habitat’s mission. Learn more at www.habitat.org/gv. Habitat has built more than 300,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1.5 million people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter. Be a part of this amazing work by joining us in Guatemala in June 2017.

Important Information

Participants under the age of 18

Depending on local laws and program policy, some host programs may not accept minors or may limit the type of work performed by minors. Please read the Global Village minor policy. The criteria listed in the policy apply to all potential Global Village participants under the age of 18.
Health and safety
  • Work assignments normally involve strenuous physical activity―sometimes at high altitudes. Team members must be in good physical health in order go join our Global Village work team.
  • International travel always contains some degree of danger. All Global Village team members participate at their own risk.
Passports
  • International trips: You will need a current passport that is valid for six months beyond your travel dates.
  • A note about passport processing times: To ensure you receive your passport by the date of your Global Village trip departure, allow approximately 20 weeks for passport applications (both new and renewal). Find more information regarding passport-processing times, visit the U.S. Department of State’s Application Processing Times.
Application process
  • If you have not applied for a Global Village trip before, or applied more than three years ago: Submit a new application by selecting the blue “Apply Online Now” button below. Your application will be sent to team leaders based on the preferences you provide.
  • If you have applied within the past three years: You do not need to reapply. Email gv@habitat.org if your contact information has changed. When you see a trip of interest on the available Global Village trips page, contact the team leader directly.
Information needed to applyYour application serves as your waiver and emergency contact information form.
Please have the following information available before applying:
  • Passport jurisdiction, number and expiration date. If you do not currently have a valid passport, please provide this information to your team leader later.
  • Primary doctor contact information.
  • Emergency contact information.
  • Date of last tetanus shot.
  • Insurance information (if covered).
Selection process
  • Once your application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation letter.
  • We will select team members from a pool of interested applicants. Selection is not on a first-come basis.
  • You will receive an 8-digit Habitat identification and “match” letter.
  • We'll contact you to schedule an interview.

Itinerary

View the itinerary for our Global Village Trip to Guatemala
Your Habitat hosts will show you how they are eliminating inadequate housing in Guatemala through house construction, innovative housing solutions and disaster response and preparedness.
  • Day 1: Traveling. Depart from home and join us in Guatemala! Habitat will greet you when you arrive and take you to meet your team in Antigua.
  • Day 2: Orientation. Travel to San Lucas Tolimán. You will meet the partner families and learn about Habitat’s innovative work and your team’s project.
  • Days 3-5: Build. The team will build Healthy Home Kits with local masons. The team will have time for excursions, rest and reflection meetings in the evenings. The excursions could include tortilla making or visiting a coffee cooperative.
  • Day 6: Give Thanks. Work on the project build site building homes or Healthy Homes Kits. In the afternoon, your team will share a Thanksgiving meal with partner families and Habitat staff.
  • Day 7: Build. Continue to work on-site, and celebrate the week with the partner family.
  • Day 8: Exploration. Travel back to Antigua for a day to navigate the colorful streets and shops.
  • Day 9: Goodbyes. Continue your journey in Guatemala independently or head on home.