22 April 2008
Engineers from Linton’s 25 Engineer Support Squadron have deployed to Nelson to assist with the construction of a Habitat for Humanity home. The team of eleven will spend nine days working with the home owner, and other volunteers, to build an affordable home.
Usually New Zealand Army engineers are seen on reconstruction tasks rebuilding infrastructure in operational environments such as Afghanistan.
Training to be able to achieve this kind of reconstruction is achieved through the Army Engineer Construction Training Program with practical construction tasks in New Zealand. Occasionally, it is possible to incorporate civil aid tasks into the program in order to enhance the experience of the team and meet training competencies that are not offered by other tasks.
“As well as providing valuable construction training, practical tasks at home provide an excellent opportunity for our junior leaders, both officers and soldiers, to plan, coordinate resources, and command soldiers as part of their leadership and professional career development,” says Major Paul Hayward.
Construction of a house in a limited time for Habitat for Humanity, partially replicates the environment that engineers will face when having to rapidly establish facilities to support operationally deployed forces.
ENDS
For further information, or contact with the team, please contact Paul Stein, Linton Public Relations Manager, on 06 351 9037 or 021 409 033.
Background
Habitat for Humanity is a Christian not-for-profit organisation that works in partnership with people of goodwill and families in need, to eliminate inadequate housing by building and selling, simple, decent homes with affordable payments. Homeowner families are chosen according to their need, their ability to repay loans and their willingness to work in partnership with Habitat. The families invest 500 hours of “sweat equity” in their new home. Homeowners and volunteers work together to build the houses under trained supervision.
Habitat for Humanity New Zealand has Branches throughout New Zealand. The Nelson Branch was established in 1996 and has completed eight houses to date.
In 2007, a team of tradesmen and apprentices from the School of Military Engineering, Linton, assisted in the construction of the eighth house.
In April 2008, a request was received from Habitat for Humanity, Nelson, for 2nd Engineer Regiment assistance in the construction of the ninth Habitat for Humanity House in Nelson.
This build is being coordinated by the Project Manager Mr Julian Shields for the period 21 – 28 April 2008 and will involve a large number of local volunteers to assist in the build.