27th September 2007

Plumbing worth more than pounds to African homeless

In a first for Nottingham, a local housing association is helping the homeless of South Africa by sending one of their staff to help build homes rather than just donating cash.

Shaun Nee, clerk of works for Nottingham Community Housing Association (NCHA) , left for KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday 22nd September. He will give much-needed advice on building and plumbing to the Thandanani project run by Habitat for Humanity, which provides supported housing for vulnerable children often orphaned through AIDS.

Shaun Nee, NCHA Clerk of Works

Shaun will spend 3 weeks in South Africa and when he has returned home to Bulwell, the skills he has taught can then be passed on to others.

NCHA has paid the travel expenses and accommodation for Shaun’s visit as well as his wages during the trip. NCHA director Steve Walker said “We decided to donate £5,000 annually to help Habitat for Humanity but after I’d visited there it became clear that house-building expertise would be much more useful than cash.

Since 1996 Habitat for Humanity has built almost 1,500 houses for 7,500 homeless people, but those homes need to be maintained. Shaun will provide the knowledge and skills and show them how to do basic DIY and if all goes to plan, then this may become a regular event. We hope by our example that other builders, both social and commercial, may consider lending skilled manpower as well as cash.”