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FAQ on ACCT Housebuilding Trips to Tsunami-affected Areas
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Eligibility
1. How experienced, how fit, and how old must I be in order to go?
No housebuilding or other experience is required of volunteers.
We do require that you be medically fit. No pregnant women or those with disabilities should consider going. You are going into an area impacted by a disaster. Living conditions although adequate will not be what you have back in Singapore.
There is no upper age limit, but volunteers on HFH trips must be at least 21 years old as of the first day of the trip, except for Aceh trip participants (as of April 2006)
2. What if I cannot keep up with the others?
There is no competition here. We expect each person to contribute what he or she can. You will work at your own pace and in teams.
If in the course of building, you need to take a break and take a rest, then you simply do so. In any case, breaks and rests are scheduled.
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Timing & Commitment
3. What kind of time commitment is needed from me?
You of course need to block out the 1 week for the trip itself (see below for expected timings on the days of departure and arrival)
Prior to the trip, we will be organizing two to three sessions for the trip briefing and spiritual formation. Each session should be about 2 hours or so. Further details will be advised to those who sign up.
The previous 4 ACCT teams got together voluntarily for social purposes after the trip, to share photos and memories.
4. How and when do we fly there and back?
This relates to specific trips and will be conveyed at the relevant times.
5. Can I go elsewhere during this trip?
You need to be with the group the entire time during the housebuilding period.
6. I cannot make it for the dates specified. Can I do half the trip?
No, the group has to be together for the whole housebuild.
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Financial
7. How much money would I need for this trip?
The cost of each trip is estimated at S$1,250 per volunteer, plus a $1,000/volunteer donation required by Habitat (for building materials etc). This is all inclusive, and covers airfare, housing, all meals, insurance, ground transportation and administrative expenses.
You will need to pay S$950 of this; the rest are covered by ACCT.
In addition, you will be advised on the kind of personal effects and tools (such as work gloves, etc) that may be needed for the trip. These are not covered by the project and the cost will depend on what you choose to buy and bring.
You can also bring along a small amount of money to cover personal expenditure in these areas although this should be minimal.
8. I cannot afford the S$950 you are asking me to pay for this trip? Can ACCT or HFH fund part of this?
ACCT is already funding about S$1,300 of the cost for each volunteer. We are unable to subsidize this further. ACCT will not be conducting any fundraising exercise for this trip. However, do let us know if you wish to go but are unable to do so. If there are individuals who wish to support volunteers, we will match your needs to their donations. You may also seek sponsors, or do fundraising on your own. Some church groups do it within their church community.
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Preparation
9. Do we need visas?
This also pertains to specific trips. Your group leader will have more information. You’re also advised to double-check with the relevant embassies, and circle back to the ACCT Volunteers & Missions Committee via acct.volunteers@gmail.com.
10. What immunizations do we need?
For Banda Aceh and Sri Lanka, all volunteers were required to be vaccinated against Tetanus, Typhoid and Hepatitis A, as well as anti-malarial medication.
For other trips, please check with your group leader.
The Tan Tock Seng Travel Clinic (Novena MRT) is probably most accustomed to such vaccinations, though most/all doctors should have these vaccines on hand. We will be seeking to make a group arrangement for discounted immunizations to all those going, and will advise you of this.
11. What personal belongings and tools do I need to bring?
We will advise you during the briefing sessions. A general idea can be obtained from the HFH website http://www.hfhap.org/news/tsunamifirstbuild1.htm
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At the Work Area
12. I have never built a house before. What do you want me to do? How could I and a group of volunteers who have never done it before build a house that would not collapse?
You will not be the first group to be building houses with HFH. Our houses are designed to be built by inexperienced volunteers under a certain level of supervision. There will be skilled foremen on site to guide and ensure that the right work is being done.
The house design will be quite basic, less than what you are familiar with. It is a single storey, but it will be made from bricks and cement.
You will be doing the usual activities expected of house building: mixing cement, plastering, laying bricks, digging holes, clearing debris, sawing wood and roof beams, laying roof tiles, etc.
13. What is a typical day like?
A typical day is building from 9 am to 5 pm, with briefings, lunch and breaks in between..
Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be prepared for us by the Habitat house cook or a local cafe. Evenings are for the group to decide on what they want to do together, or if personal time is preferred. Group options include the daily mass and other social activities.
14. What kind of living conditions can I expect?
This depends on the specific trip.
15. Is there a priest coming?
We do try to have a priest as our Spiritual Director for every trip, although this is obviously dependent on availability. Our SD will conduct daily mass for those who wish to attend, and will be available to help with spiritual counseling and development of individuals and the group.
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Miscellaneous
16. I want to invite my friends, family and colleagues to join me for this trip? Do they have to be Catholics?
All are welcome although we are giving priority to Catholics as this is a Catholic church project. We will then give next priority to accompanying non-catholic family members and friends. Let us know and we will confirm with you whether there is space for your non-Catholic friends.
17. I am unable to go; how else can I help?
You can spread the word to your friends and family, leading them to www.acct-sg.org
You can make a donation to help those who wish to go, but are unable to afford to do so to go. Send your interest in making a donation to acct.volunteers@gmail.com and we will match you with specific individuals who need financial help with going.
Please also pray for the volunteers going and the Tsunami victims.
18. What happens if I cancel? Can I get someone to replace me?
Acceptance of those going will be on a first-come basis for those who put in their deposit. You forfeit your deposit of S$100 if you cancel after that.
In addition, if cancellation happens after irrecoverable costs are incurred, eg air-ticket issuance, you will need to be responsible for them.
You may identify replacements, but we will give priority to the next person on the waiting list to go.
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For further questions, please check out:
http://www.hfhap.org/news/tsunamifirstbuild3.htm
Then email us at acct.volunteers@gmail.com
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