PROJECT BUILD 2000

Project Build is a celebration of the 10th anniversary of a partnership in faith between the Metropolitan Chicago Synod, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and its companion synod, the Central Diocese of South Africa. Working with Habitat for Humanity International, thirty five volunteers came together to build ten Habitat homes in the Central Diocese and in doing so deepening our friendship and understanding with each other. The original goal was to raise enough money for ten houses at $4,000 a piece. However with the tremendous amount of support we received, the congregations in the Chicago Metro Synod raised nearly $80,000! From nickel and dime donations of Sunday Schools children to matching funds from the branches of Aid Association for Lutherans the funds poured forth with love. Thank you!

The Project Build volunteers ventured to the Orange Farm, an area outside of Johannesburg, South Africa, in November of 2000 and built four homes and started several others. Succeeding groups, like Project Build 2001, will continue to build more homes, using the remaining funds. The volunteers were also privileged to have visited areas like the Lesedi Cultural village, the DeWildt Cheetah Breeding Center and the Kruger Game Park.

Several hundred photographs of the above activities are available under the headings given below.