Global Village Canada Volunteer Handbook

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WELCOME LETTER

Dear Global Village team members, You are about to embark on an adventure that will change your life and the lives of others. It will take you to places that you have never been and immerse you in experiences that you can only imagine. You will make wonderful friends, explore a different culture and try new things. You will find challenges and rewards, joy and heartbreak, and when it’s all over and you’re back home with the ones you love, you’ll find that you will never look at life in the same way again.

As a member of a Global Village team you will experience the effects that poverty and substandard housing have in Canada. You will be amazed and saddened by the conditions that some people are forced to live in and you will have your heart and spirit lifted as you witness the pride that Habitat homeowners have for their homes and communities. As you get to know your hosts you will learn that their hopes and dreams are not that different from your own. In the end, you will discover that you have received as much as you have given.

We at Global Village Canada are here to make this experience as rewarding as possible. The Global Village staff and your team leader will work very hard to prepare you for your trip, work with you in the field and help you get the most out of your experience on your return home.

The key to having a full and meaningful experience is to be well prepared. This Volunteer Handbook has been developed as a tool to help you do just that. It contains a wealth of information about Habitat and Canada to get you ready for your adventure. It is important to take the time to read it carefully. You may even decide to take it along with you as a resource. If you have questions about anything in this handbook, or about your trip, please contact your team leader.

You have made a conscious choice to make a difference, to use your time and energy to help a family you have never met realize their dream of a safe and decent place to live. By giving this gift, you have truly become a member of Global Village Canada and the Habitat for Humanity family. We hope you have an exciting and fulfilling trip!

In partnership, Habitat for Humanity Canada

Global Village Canada Staff

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Our Core Philosophy 4

Habitat for Humanity International 4

The Habitat Model 5

Habitat for Humanity Canada 6

Global Village Canada 6

Habitat for Humanity Prince Edward Island 7

o Positive Outcomes 8

o Accommodation & Transportation 8

o Build Site 8

COUNTRY INFORMATION

Welcome to Canada 8

Glorious Prince Edward Island 9

o R&R Options 9

Ottawa – Our Nation’s Capital 10

Geography and Climate 11

Culture 11

USEFUL INFORMATION

Arrival in Canada 12

Taxis and Public Transportation 12

Local Emergency Numbers 12

Currency value 13

Credit Cards 13

Tipping 13

Time zone 13

Business Hours 14

Post office 14

Telephone and Internet 14

Churches 15

Packing list 15

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HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OUR CORE PHILOSOPHY Our Vision: A world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. Our Mission: To break the cycle of poverty and build strong communities by helping people gain access to affordable and sustainable housing. Our Values: Our actions are guided by these values … HOUSING FOR ALL: We believe that access to safe and decent housing is a basic human right that should be available to all people. HUMAN DIGNITY: We respect and believe in the worth and dignity of every human being. We recognize the people we serve and those that help us in this effort as our greatest resource. PARTNERSHIPS: We believe we can best achieve our mission through meaningful and mutually beneficial partnerships with others. FAITH IN ACTION: We believe that faith is lived through action. Committed to our roots in Christian principles, we serve others in a spirit of justice and compassion alongside people of all faiths and beliefs. DIVERSITY & INCLUSIVENESS: We believe there is a role for everyone committed to our mission, vision and values and we seek to enrich our organization through diversity.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the benefits of homeownership to low-income families by building and renovating simple, decent and affordable homes with the assistance of volunteers and community partnerships. Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976 in the United States and has grown to involve tens of thousands of volunteers around the world. Habitat for Humanity International has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 800,000 houses worldwide, providing shelter for more than 4 million people

The idea for Habitat for Humanity was born at Koinonia Farm, a Christian community founded by Clarence Jordan near Americus, Georgia. Millard and Linda Fuller abandoned a millionaire lifestyle and joined Jordan in a program building houses in partnership with low-income

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neighbours. After testing this model in Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Fullers returned to Georgia and founded Habitat for Humanity International.

The Global Village program began in 1989 in response to requests for international short-term volunteer opportunities. In the first year, 12 countries invited 30 teams to participate in house-building work and to learn about Habitat in their country. Today, Global Village sends more than 800 work teams to over 40 host countries each year, involving more than 13,000 participants.

THE HABITAT MODEL

The focus of Habitat for Humanity is not simply the construction of houses. Habitat for Humanity is fundamentally concerned with the people, homeowners, volunteers, and donors, who come together to turn the Habitat for Humanity vision into reality.

Habitat for Humanity partnerships begin with homeowner families. Families do not receive free houses; instead each family purchases and participates in the construction of their own house. This demonstrates significant commitment to the process of homeownership, and fosters pride and a sense of dignity. To qualify for a Habitat for Humanity house, a family must be in need, be able to cover the costs of a modest mortgage, and be willing to contribute significant hours of sweat equity toward the construction of their home. Families are chosen by a committee at the local affiliate level through a process of application review, with preference given to families with the greatest need. Their house payments are placed into a revolving Fund for Humanity to be used to build more houses.

Volunteers contribute time and labour to building a Habitat for Humanity house, but they also benefit from the partnership. Volunteers become aware of housing issues, the tremendous benefit of empowering people to help themselves, and the role they can play in breaking the poverty cycle.

Financial partnership is a vital component of the work of Habitat for Humanity. International affiliates are assisted with funding until the affiliate becomes self-supporting through local fundraising and funds from mortgage payments. Many individuals and companies that share Habitat for Humanity’s vision also contribute to its work. Donations from Global Village volunteers help fund the local affiliate’s building program. Global Village teams increase awareness in the local community of the program and its need for volunteer support and funds. Habitat for Humanity founder, Millard Fuller, once said, “If a person is in need, it doesn’t matter what they believe. They’re in need.” In this spirit, and in the spirit of partnership, Habitat for Humanity is an inclusive organization, seeking to make decent housing available to all people. Habitat for Humanity affiliates around the world serve as a neutral meeting ground for people of various beliefs to put compassion into action.

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While rooted in Christian principles, Habitat for Humanity benefits from the wealth of resources brought by secular organizations, interfaith programs, interdenominational coalitions and other groups. These group groups work in partnership, sharing respect, ideals and dignity.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY CANADA

Habitat for Humanity Canada was founded in 1985 and has grown to include 56 affiliates in all 10 provinces and 3 territories. In 2005, Habitat for Humanity established its own Global Village Canada program to send volunteers to work with Habitat for Humanity affiliates around the world, which has resulted in over 800 homes being built in 47 countries.

Steady and steep annual increases in property values, municipal taxes, and rental costs are pressurizing budgets for Canadian families. Volunteers help Habitat for Humanity Canada build safe and affordable housing and promote homeownership in 300 communities across the country. It is the power of volunteerism that generates and sustains the energy behind every Habitat construction project. Each year, more than 63,000 volunteers drive the nails, mud the

drywall, shingle the roofs and paint the rooms that shape houses that become homes for Canadian families who could otherwise never afford homeownership.

GLOBAL VILLAGE CANADA

A Habitat for Humanity Canada Global Village experience is an exciting and life-changing journey that takes individuals and teams across the country. They immerse themselves in another community, roll up their sleeves and work side by side with their neighbours to make a tangible difference.

Helping to build a home for someone in need is a powerful experience that opens your eyes and your heart to the plight of others who do not have the basic, decent shelter that most of us take for granted. It is a physically and emotionally challenging experience, and when the work is done, the volunteers often come away feeling that they have received as much as they have given.

All it takes to participate in a Global Village Canada trip is enthusiasm, a sense of adventure and a willingness to learn. No other skills are required; there will be experienced help on hand to guide you along the way.

Trips are usually from one to two weeks in length, but are preceded by four to eight months of careful planning and preparation. This is an integral part of ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.

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Three important people will be working closely together to make your Global Village experience a success: your Sending Coordinator, your team leader, and the host from the Habitat for Humanity local affiliate.

Team Leader Your team leader, an experienced and committed volunteer, works with the Sending Coordinator and Global Village Canada to plan and then lead your Global Village trip. The team leader serves as a guide, counsellor and safety coordinator from start to finish. Your team leader will work diligently each day to bring together all of the details that will make your trip a success. Affiliate Host The affiliate host is a primary contact and partner in planning and organizing your team’s work project. Your host helps to plan the itinerary and make arrangements for lodging, local transportation, recreational activities, etc. They are instrumental in ensuring that the team’s visit is a positive experience for team members and the affiliate. Your host is invaluable in orienting the group and assisting with communication and cultural awareness.

The Team Global Village team members come from all walks of life, but all join the GV teams with the goal of giving of themselves to help those who are in need of a simple, decent place to live. Every

team member brings a diverse set of life circumstances, values and talents to the project. No one can do it all, but each team member has strengths and gifts to offer the group. The challenge and reward in being part of a team is to discover and value what each person brings. Working together harmoniously day after day doesn’t always happen – expect a few speed bumps on the road to fulfillment. Getting along requires patience and a willingness to compromise.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Habitat for Humanity empowers low-income families to build a hopeful future by breaking the cycle of poverty through affordable homeownership. Since 1996 Habitat Prince Edward Island (PEI) has built 50 safe, decent & affordable homes across the Island. Prince Edward Island has a population of 145,211 people. Its capital is Charlottetown, with a population of 34,562 people. The unemployment rate in Prince Edward Island stands at 10.5% compared to the 6.8% unemployment rate found within the rest of Canada. There are currently 316 families and 638 seniors on waiting lists for affordable housing. In 2012 shelter beds in P.E.I had been accessed over 3,480 times and 1 in 6 children continue to live in poverty.

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Positive Outcomes

Recently a study was conducted to better determine the outcomes of our projects. We have found that due to the efforts of Habitat Canada:

39% Children do better in school 53% Kids have improved behaviour 25% More likely to graduate high school 50% Upgrade of learn a new trade 24% Parents go back to school 55% Families participate more in their community 8% Increase in family income per year spent in a Habitat home

Accommodation + Transportation The teams working in Prince Edward Island will be accommodated in either a hotel, hostel or cottages. Teams will be transported from the airport to the hotel as well as the build site by Habitat for Humanity PEI. We will ensure that your living conditions are as comfortable as

possible and do our best to share our friendly Canadian hospitality with you.

Build site Not skilled? Don’t worry, we’ll teach you We supply the hardhats and tools Bring steel toe boots We feed you, so come work up an appetite

COUNTRY INFORMATION

WELCOME TO CANADA Canada is much more than its spectacular mountainous terrain, breath-taking views and remarkable cuisine. Our beautiful country is one rich in history, culture and the friendliest of people. Canada has been inhabited for thousands of years by Aboriginal peoples, long before the first European arrivals. Their distinct rituals and beliefs along with trade skills have been studied and carried on for years to follow.

Over time the Aboriginal, French and even British cultural components have combined to form Canadian culture. Canada’s vastness makes room for incredible beaches awesome for water activities or a stroll through a cool summer night. Whether it's kayaking or windsurfing, the world’s second largest country also provides incredible mountainous landscape for snowboarding/skiing as well as other great winter activities.

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GLORIOUS PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Prince Edward Island is a truly unique location for travelers coming to Canada. The coastline offers some of the most stunning vistas in the world and is also home to many of the country’s best beaches. There are many jagged red cliffs, rolling green hills, scenic farmland and local cuisine, including some of the freshest seafood. You’ll experience an incredible island hospitality throughout your visit. Known as the Birthplace of Confederation, Canada’s smallest province held the Charlottetown Conference in 1864; a conference that eventually led to the union of provinces and the creation of Canada!

The words fishing and Prince Edward Island go very much hand in hand. Passed down from generation to generation, the fishing industry on PEI has remained prominent. Lobster fishing is an important component to the economic survival of many rural communities and it’s easy to find fresh lobster all summer, as there are two fishing seasons.

The potato industry is a big business in Prince Edward Island and is worth over a billion dollars to the Island economy each year. Potatoes are the primary cash crop on the Island and PEI continues to be the largest potato-producing province in Canada, growing one-quarter of the potatoes in the country. R&R Options Teams visiting Prince Edward Island will be pleased with the wide selection of R&R options that Habitat for Humanity has incorporated into their build trip. Below are a few of the options. Anne of Green Gables Visit Anne of Green Gables Heritage Place where a straw hat, red-haired braids and a pinafore define Canada’s most loved fictional character, Anne of Green Gables. Meet the headstrong orphan and re-live her youthful escapades and mishaps within the memory-filled rooms of her Victorian home. Green Gables; where images from the blockbuster 1908 novel blend with the real life experiences of local author Lucy Maud Montgomery who drew inspiration from the idyllic farmstead and its red woodland pathways. Glasgow Glen Farm Glasgow Glen Farm is the proud producer of The Cheese Lady's Gouda Cheese, a Prince Edward Island tradition for over 27 years. They make their cheese from only Prince Edward Island milk, from local dairy farmers who live by the adage "Happy cows make great cheese!" They produce over 16 flavors of Gouda from a family passed traditional Dutch recipe brought from Holland.

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Your experience includes a full tour of the cheese farm, cheese tasting as well as a meet and greet with the owner. Preserve Company The building which is now home to their business was built in 1913 and used to be a butter factory. They purchased the building in 1987 and refurbished it to include an artisan specialty food production kitchen, restaurant and gift shop. Experience Charlottetown Visitors will have the opportunity to spend some free time in Charlottetown. Walk through Victoria Row and local artisan stores as well as visit the Anne of Green Gables store and their famous chocolate store next door. You have the options of visiting COWS Creamery to try PEI’s famous ice cream. At Peakes Quay you will find a look out to the mouth of the harbour and check out Founders Hall, Canada’s Birthplace Pavilion. The Information Centre is the renowned heritage attraction, which tells the story of Canada from its inception in 1864 up until modern day. Seven Mile Bay

Travel to Seven Mile Bay for a picturesque view of the Confederation Bridge, then follow the Red Sands shore driving route to Rocky Point Lighthouse.

Cavendish Cliffs This region is a spectacular piece of Prince Edward Island’s acclaimed scenic landscape composed of red sandstone cliffs, white sand beaches and rolling farm fields. Some of the classic coastline has been protected in PEI National Park, which hugs the north shore in this area.

OTTAWA – OUR NATION’S CAPITAL As Canada’s capital, Ottawa offers visitors a rich cultural experience. It’s home to many national museums, houses the largest collection of Canadian art at the National Gallery of Canada and has top performing artists who bring dance, music, and theatre to life in both English and French. From Little Italy and Chinatown to the historic ByWard Market district, Ottawa’s neighbourhoods offer wonderful culinary options and unique shopping. Ottawa provides the big city lights with a warm, small town feel. Ottawa is also home of government organizations such as the Government of Canada, Parliament, the Senate, and the Supreme Court of Canada, as well as many foreign embassies.

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GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE Canada covers a total area of 10 million square kilometers making it the second largest country in the world following Russia. Due to its extraordinary size, Canada has many regions filled with mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, prairie grasslands and even arctic tundra. Canada is located right above The United States of America where we share two borders forming the world's longest land border. Canada is also bordered by the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean and the Arctic Ocean. The climate in The Great White North varies all across the country, however the mass population live where there are primarily four distinct seasons: summer, autumn, winter, and spring. Summer lasts from June to September with temperatures reaching 20-30 degrees Celsius. Autumn and spring temperatures tend to drop to 10-15 degrees Celsius. Rainfall occurs mainly during these two seasons where the weather becomes colder or warmer. Canadians often experience freezing temperatures during the winter season when weather often drops below zero degrees Celsius and snowfall occurs.

CULTURE

Although Canada is officially a bilingual country, the most prominent language spoken is English. About a quarter of the country speaks French. Canada however is a melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities, with many Canadians also speaking Chinese, Punjabi, Arabic and Aboriginal languages.

Do not be alarmed if a stranger comes to say a few words to you. Canadians are generally known to be very friendly where they will smile, say a quick hello as they are on their way to their destination. During meetings Canadians will commonly offer a handshake to greet one another.

Canadians are generally on time and very punctual people. Do not be surprised if

someone is a few minutes early for an appointment or meeting.

Canadians eat fairly early and go home at a practical time. If you are invited over for dinner this maybe around 6:00 pm. It is customary to remove your shoes when entering someone’s house.

When going out to eat, servers will clear your table and take your plate away if you look

like you have finished your meal. If there is still food on your plate the waiter might ask if you are still eating and have not finished yet.

When you are shopping, store staff might approach to ask if you are finding things okay

and ask if you need assistance.

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Traffic flow is fluid and based on immediate circumstances. In largely congested and populated cities, such as Vancouver and Toronto, you may find yourself stuck in traffic longer than usual.

Canada is a very diverse and interesting mixture of different cultures and ethnic

backgrounds. You will have no problem trying different cuisines from many parts of the world. However, if you wish to try a traditional Canadian dish be sure to try poutine and a nanaimo bar as a dessert.

USEFUL INFORMATION

ARRIVAL IN CANADA

Passports are required for all travellers and must be valid for an additional six months after the planned departure date from the visited country. Canada has introduced a new entry requirement, known as an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), for visa-exempt foreign nationals who fly to Canada. Exceptions include U.S. citizens and

travellers with a valid visa.

Habitat for Humanity PEI staff will pick up/drop off your team as a group from/to the airport and drive you to your hotel. Habitat will be happy to assist those with early arrivals and later departures for pick up, drop off and hotel reservations. Charlottetown Airport, is located about 5.6 km north of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.

TAXIS AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

As Habitat for Humanity will provide all transportation around the island for all guests, public transportation will not be necessary. However, it is safe and accessible if needed.

LOCAL EMERGENCY NUMBERS

911 is the emergency number for police, ambulance or fire fighters. Call 911 only if:

there is a serious accident someone is hurt or being hurt a serious crime is being or has been committed

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CURRENCY VALUE

1.00 Euro = 1.41127 Canadian Dollar 1 Canadian Dollar = 0.708582 Euro 1.00 USD = 1.32987 Canadian Dollar 1 Canadian Dollar = 0.751953 USD

The Canadian dollar is the currency used in Prince Edward Island. In Canada we use paper money called “bills” and these amounts are printed in the form of 5,10,20,50 and 100 dollar bills. Coins are also used and come in the one-cent penny, five-cent nickel, ten-cent dime, twenty-five-cent quarter, the one dollar

coin known as the loonie and two dollar coin known as the toonie.

CREDIT CARDS Travelers’ cheques and personal cheques are widely accepted, however most transactions are made in cash or debit. US currency is widely accepted at all businesses but the exchange rate offered varies. Convert your international money to Canadian funds at banks or money exchange shops before coming to Canada or once you arrive. Personal cheques are rarely accepted.

Visa, MasterCard, and American Express credit cards are widely accepted. If you have a credit card, you can reduce currency conversion fees by charging your purchases to a credit card instead of using cash or traveller's cheques.

Debit cards, also called "bank cards", are commonly used instead of cash. They can be used at ATM machines or you can use your bank card to buy things at most stores. In areas where ATMs are not available, department stores will often advance cash from your debit card with a purchase.

TIPPING It is common for restaurants in Canada to add an automatic gratuity of 15-18% to your bill if the group is larger than six people. If a gratuity is not applied to the bill, it is normal to leave a 15% tip.

TIME ZONES Canada is a large country that consists of 10 provinces and 3 territories. Canada is the world’s second largest country by total land area, as it extends from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Oceans, covering 10 million square kilometres (3.85 million square miles). Due to its large size Canada spans a total of six time zones.

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Pacific Time Zone (Yukon, British Columbia) UTC-08:00

Mountain Time Zone (Alberta, Northwest Territories) UTC-07:00

Central Time Zone (Saskatchewan, Manitoba) UTC-06:00

Eastern Time Zone (Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec) UTC-05:00

Atlantic Time Zone (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI) UTC-04:00

Newfoundland Time Zone (Newfoundland) UTC-03:30

BUSINESS HOURS Banks and Credit Unions in PEI are usually open 10:00am to 3:00pm from Monday to Friday, although opening times can vary. ATMs at these locations are typically available 24 hours a day. ATMs are also at most convenience stores but it would be best to find a bank as the ATM machines at these locations charge higher user fees. Regular business hours and government office hours in Prince Edward Island for the summer are from 8:00am to 4:00pm. Department stores are usually open from 10am to 9pm depending on the location and store.

POST OFFICE

There are post offices located all over the island, which are noticeable by their dark blue and red sign that reads Canada Post. You may send a postcard, letter or parcel internationally with regular mail that may be significantly cheaper than express mail

depending on the size and weight of the item. Sending a letter abroad generally will take about 14 days but may take longer, however if sent express this may take only 2-3 business days where you are able to also track your parcel.

TELEPHONE AND INTERNET

Internet access is readily available in many coffee shops and in most cases Wi-Fi would be available for free if you have your own device. You may need to purchase a phone card to phone your loved ones back home as calling from the hotel may be expensive.

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CHURCHES As one of the world’s most diverse and eclectic countries in the world Canada encompasses a wide array of beliefs amongst its citizens. This may include many Aboriginal beliefs, Sikhism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Judaism to name a few. However,

the majority of Canadians are Christians representing nearly 67% of the country’s population. There are church services every Sunday in many churches that are usually in English and begin around 11 am. Islam is the second largest religion in Canada, followed by about 3.2% of Canadians. You may visit one of Charlottetown’s beautiful mosques during your stay.

PACKING LIST

Clothing:

Work pants

Long sleeved work shirts

T-shirts

Work gloves

Work boots (steel toed) Warm sweaters/sweatshirts

Warm jacket/coat you can work in that will fit over your other layers

Rain jacket and pants (we will work in light rain)

1 or 2 nice outfits (not too fancy) for dinner in restaurants

Comfortable shoes for walking around town

Warm socks, PJs & underwear

*Appropriate attire on the build site includes long pants and a t-shirt. Shorts are not permitted on the build site.

Other items:

Sunglasses

Sun hat or ball cap (because we’ve ordered sun for the week)

An extra pair of prescription glasses, if you wear them

Sunscreen

Day pack

Camera

Required medicines

Toiletries

Mosquito repellent Money for personal expenses

and souvenirs