26 August 2009

The UNSW Habitat Society works with Habitat for Humanity through its Global Village program. Since its foundation, more than 30 years ago, Habitat for Humanity has built nearly 300,000 houses around the world, providing more than 3000 communities and 1.5 million people with safe and affordable housing.

The Faculty of Engineering works closely with the Society and supports engineering students working on Habitat projects. This year the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering is the UNSW Habitat Society’s largest sponsor.

Two teams of 14 UNSW students each travelled to the Philippines and Vietnam on the Global Village program this year. Chemical Engineering student Ben Drew was part of the team that travelled to the Habitat village of Bahile on the island of Palawan in the south-west Philippines. There the student team worked alongside family members and other labourers, building two houses.

“I have learnt so much from the experience and from staying with a family in the village, seeing how little they have and how they make everything from scratch,” Ben said. “People talk about making a difference and instead of raising money here in Australia, I have been able to help first-hand and see the difference I have made.”

Ben first heard about the UNSW Habitat Society in his second year. “Although I had travelled, I hadn’t been to Asia or a Third World country so I joined the Habitat team that travelled to Cambodia. That experience motivated me to do well in my studies and make the most of the opportunities I have.

“Working with the UNSW Habitat Society has reinforced my reasons for doing engineering,” said Ben. “Even when you think about how the bricks are made, you can see the benefit of engineering to society at large.”