Builders needed for Nepal

CHANGING LIVES: New Zealand volunteers at work building homes in Nepal last year.

Habitat for Humanity New Zealand is offering the "opportunity of a lifetime" for "everyday New Zealanders" to travel to Nepal in November to help build 100 homes.

Chief executive Claire Szab said the invitation was open to any adults who would like to make a difference for people who "desperately need a decent place to live".

The building will take place over November 2-6 in Pokhara, Nepal's third-largest city and home to three of the world's 10 highest mountains. 200km north-west of the capital Kathmandu.

Ms Szab said Habitat was looking for 200 New Zealanders of all ages and levels of experience to build alongside Nepali families and other international volunteers, aiming to complete 100 houses in one week.

"People who've travelled to previous Habitat builds in Nepal overwhelmingly tell us it was a life-changing experience," she said.

No construction experience was needed, as full training and supervision would be given by Kiwi team leaders. The $6200 cost per person would cover flights, insurance, accommodation and meals during the building period, as well as a contribution to building costs in Nepal.

The families who would be selected to move in to the new homes may be living in insufficient housing - often squatters' conditions - and often with poor access to water and sanitation, she added. Habitat would build permanent homes using treated bamboo framing and other simple materials.

- Go to www.habitat.org.nz for all the details.