Habitat For Humanity Macedonia Offers
Volunteer Opportunities to PCVs
By Ritch Smith
At the April IST for MAK 12s, Ritch Smith and Mite
Kuzevski, his counterpart, told the audience about the
Habitat For Humanity program in Macedonia. Ritch is
a MAK 12 and he is the first PCV assigned to Habitat
For Humanity Macedonia (HFHM). Mite is the Coordinator for the Macedonian Habitat For Humanity
Global Village program to bring international volunteers to Macedonia. Most PCVs know about Habitat
For Humanity and many have participated in their projects. Many had expressed interest in getting involved
in the HFHM building program. Ritch and Mite have
worked with their organizations and the Peace Corps
office (Skopje) and the HFHM have agreed to open
HFHM volunteer opportunities to PCVs in Macedonia.
The HFHM has two major projects: a New Builds
Program in Veles and a Roma Housing Program in Skopje. In Veles, HFHM has a 3-year project to build a
complex of 4 types of houses that will result in 62 new
homes. This will provide simple, decent, affordable
housing for families in need who are willing to partner
in building their own and other Habitat homes. The aim
of the Roma Housing Program is to improve the housing condition of the Roma community in Skopje, with a
focus on Suto Orizari, through provision of micro-loans
for reconstruction, renovation, and repair. The Veles
settlement will probably be the site for most of the work
for PCV volunteers, but they may also work in Skopje.
As the program develops, details will be provided via
All Vol Memos. If you are interested in volunteering
or want to get email updates, contact Ritch at smith@
habitat.org.mk. To see more information on the Habitat
For Humanity Macedonia projects, go to http://www.
habitat.org.mk.
- pauza
The Global Village program brings international volunteers from America and Europe to Macedonia but there is no organized local volunteer program. The PCVs
will be the initial group of Local Volunteers and their involvement is the beginning of the development of an HFHM Local Volunteer program. Here in brief are
some details about PCV involvement:
•PCVs may be working with Global Village Teams, other local volunteers, or as a
PCV Team.
•Volunteering is a secondary project and can be recorded as such in PC reports.
•PCVs will need approval from their Supervisors and Program Managers for volunteer time during work hours but are free to volunteer on weekends.
•The PC Medical Policy will cover PCVs at the work-site.
•Costs associated with the volunteer activity, if any, will be the responsibility of
the PCV.
•Work will probably start in June or July and the amount and type will depend
on work-site status.