Local Volunteers To Help In South America
The Bermuda Overseas Missions [BOM] charity will undertake two overseas trips in support of Habitat for Humanity – one group of local volunteers will head to Paraguay in South America and another group will be aiding families in the Dominican Republic.
Bermuda Overseas Missions President, David Thompson, said “This is a special year for me as this will be the tenth time that I lead a team of dedicated volunteers in suport of this incredibly important cause. Since 2003 BOM has undertaken 12 trips to 11 countires and built 64 homes.
The photo below, by Mark Orchard, is from the 2011 mission to Zambia, and includes all of the Bermudian volunteers and a happy homeowner family receiving the keys to their new home which they built, one of 10 homes built by BOM volunteers on the trip.
“When you think that in some of the developing countires we have visited there are over 8 people living in a home –that’s over 500 men, women and children sleeping with a roof over their heads as a direct result of the efforts of BOM and its supporters. It really makes us all very proud.”
Heading to Aregua, Paraguay for the 2-week “build” will be 40 volunteers – including 26 students and 14 adults.
“BOM is strongly connected with other local charities – in particular those supporting and benefiting the island’s youth and this year I am pleased to include in our trip young men and women from Da Boys Day Out Club, Beyond Rugby and Brotherhood & Sisterhood of Bermuda.
“When exposed to these very challenging aspects of humanity, Bermudian boys and girls invaraibly rise to the occasion. Indeed last year, many of the local teenage students that came with us to Zambia made lasting friendships with the wonderful children of Chibulukusu, a small rural village where we worked. These are bonds and memories that are priceless.”
“In these difficult economic times we are very appreciative of the many corporate and personal donations that we recieve – yet most of our fund raising is through various car washes, grocery bag packing days, roti sales and our very popular fish fries.
“We hope that the community will come out and support us on Friday June 15th when we will be partnering with Keith’s Kitchen for a delicious fish fry which will be at Christ Church in Warwick. A full dinner will be only $20 and all proceed will go directly to this overseas mission.”
To learn more about Bermuda Overseas Missions please contact Mr Thompson directly at 705.4600.
