Home Partner Rusinah (Rose) is from Kampong Sinagang

17th June 2008: Habitat Home Partner Rusinah is a single mother of 5 children. She taps rubber to support her family. Her eldest son is 18 and is working to help in the family income. Rusinah (or more popularly called 'Rose') is seen here in white and red stripes with some technical support workers who are on site to help and guide the volunteers from EABJM.

EABJM Team 2 at Kampong Sinagang

17th June 2008: Site clearing and cleaning continues at Site B (Kampong Sinagang) by Team 2. The site is located at about 2,000 feet above mean sea level, so it is cooler and breezy for the team. The good weather continues with very little rain although it was threatening to at times.

17th June 2008: EABJM taking a breather

17th June 2008: Digging and digging in the hot tropical sun and heat! A most welcomed reprieve for a short break and rest, the students showing true camaraderie with Habitit staff Jonathan Boin (centre)at the build site at Kampong Kiansom Lama.

17 June 2008: Mr Siva of EABJM demonstrating masonry artistry

17th June 2008: Leading the EABJM team to Kota Kinabalu for the second year running, Mr Siva is equally adept at masonry skills as he is in walking the tight rope in managing the entire team of 26 students assisted by 3 other teachers. He sure has his hands full almost 247!

Team 2 of EABJM at Kampong Sinagang 16th June 2008

16th June 2008: EABJM Team 2 of 10 students and 2 teachers started work on a new build site at Kampong Sinagang (Site B), up on the hills of Kokol,about 20 minutes away from Site A (Kampong Kiansom Lama). The works at this site has to start from scratch! The volunteers have to prepare and level the site as well as to cut the sides of the hill to enlarge the build site. The group here strategized and worked in 2 groups each working for 20 minutes with 20 minutes rest. This worked very well and increased the work pace and productivity. Well done! Brilliant idea of Mr Collin Sellar.

EABJM volunteers eagerly at work at Habitat work site: 16th June 2008

16th June 2008: After a good rest over the week-end, the volunteers from EABJM Lille are seen here in high spirit eagerly at work at Kampong Kiansom Lama, about half an hour from Kota Kinabalu. The home they are building is for our Habitat home partners David Baba and his wife Nancy Kilintong. The land is fairly flat and is easy to work on. On this day of work, there is fine weather...although it is hot for most of the volunteers. Well done! You all did well to-day. Syabas!

Briefing for EABJM by Chief Co-Ordinator Joanna 13th June 2008

13th June 2008: Board Member of Habitat for Humanity Kota Kinabalu Ms Joanna Kitingan (Chief Co-Ordinator for the EABJM team) briefing the participants about the program, guidelines, rules and regulations, do's and don'ts etc, etc just before the Welcome dinner at the Roof Top, Warisan Square, after which it was followed by Q & A's.

Welcome briefing and dinner for EABJM: 13th June 2008

13th June 2008: EABJM welcome briefing and dinner at the Roof Top, Imperial International Hotel, Warisan Square was held jointly with the Farewell Dinner for the volunteers from the International School of Kuala Lumpur. What a big great party! Everyone got a chance to know each other and had a great opportunity to share their experiences. Pictures show PR Chairman Jeannette Tong presenting welcome beads to the EABJM volunteers!

Welcome Lunch briefing for EABJM teachers: 12th June 2008

12th June 2008: Welcome to Kota Kinabalu and let's sit down and fellowship and enjoy some local cuisine! Seen here at Hong Kong Recipe, a popular Chinese restaurant at Warisan Square, with local and Hong Kong dishes. The EABJM team led by Mr Sivarajan shared their journey with us and are happy to arrive once again in Kota Kinabalu. They are looking forward to their stay and their participation at our Habitat build sites. It was a wonderful lunch with lots of sharing and laughter!

EABJM Lille France checking in at Imperial International Hotel

12th June 2008: From KKIA to Imperial International Hotel at Warisan Square to check in, get some food and to rest and sleep...to get over the jet lag after the long flight from France. Pix shows the students and teachers in high spirit and energy at the lobby of Imperial International Hotel, Kota Kinabalu.

EABJM Lille, France arrives in KK 12th June 2008

12th June 2008: The Global Village program of Habitat for Humanity Kota Kinabalu welcomes 30 volunteers from EABJM Lille, France! 4 teachers and 26 students. 2 of the teachers and 3 of the students were here too last year. Welcome to Sabah, the "Land Below the Wind". Pictures show the volunteers arriving at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) welcomed by Board Members of Habitat for Humanity KK, with Chief Co-Ordinator Ms Joanna Kitingan warmly welcoming all the participants! We wish all of you a pleasant stay in Sabah. Thank you for coming to help us build Habitat homes. Pictures show the group at the KKIA and boarding the coach to the hotel.

ISKL Farewell Dinner at Roof Top, Warisan Square

13th June 2008: All good things must come to end? No, this is not good bye. This is 'until we see you again'. Thank you for coming ISKL. Thank you so much. You have once again showered your love to the community in Sabah. You don't even know the home owner here, yet you came and build them a new home with your sweat, time and sacrifice. Certificates were presented to each and every participant by Johan Amilin. Habitat T-shirt was also given to every participant from ISKL. Several students as well as the teachers shared their testimonies and their experiences. The ISKL farewell coincided and was jointly held with the Welcome Dinner for the Global Village Team from EABJM Lille, France. So, it was one BIG PARTY when students and teachers from different regions and countries but with the same loving and giving hearts, met for the first time! Until we meet again ISKL, have a safe and blessed journey and a wonderful holiday! We love you! God bless!

ISKL action pix at the build site on 4th & final day of work

13th June 2008: It rained on Day One, very heavy rain in the afternoon. For the rest of the days, the team from ISKL enjoyed great weather and this was indeed a true blessing. On the 4th and final day of the build at Kampong Kiansom Lama, the pace and energy of the volunteers picked up. Once again, Habitat for Humanity Kota Kinabalu thank all of you for your contribution and dedication to our programs.

Talk by ISKL on "How to start a H4H club in your school"

12th June 2008: 3 Students from the International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL), (Tony, Jack & Alex) presented a talk at the Sabah State Library during their visit to Kota Kinabalu from 8th to 14th June 2008. All 3 of them are members of the H4H club in their school. H4H is an acronym for 'Habitat For Humanity'. Various creative and innovative activities are held in their club to raise funds, during which time they bond and get to know each other better. They design their own Habitat T-shirts and raise their own funds for their trip to Sabah. They also shared on their individual involvement and experiences at Habitat build sites and how it has impacted their lives. Board Member and Chief Co-ordinator of the ISKL team visit to KK, Johan Amilin, encouraged local schools and students to participate in our Habitat for Humanity programs. Start young and grow with us. Also present at the Talk was Mr John Thomas who is the principal organizer from ISKL.

Materials & Tools for ISKL build

10th June 2008: Materials & Tools stacked and ready for the next day's work. The tools are washed and cleaned by the volunteers at the end of each work day. Material & tools management are essential for achieving efficiency and cost control. Every volunteer are briefed and informed to take good care of the tools at the work site.

Gloria Tan visits build site during ISKL build at Kiansom

10th June 2008: Regional Finance Manager (Business Strategy & Analysis)Asia-Pacific Ms Gloria Tan (light blue and in jeans) visited the Habitat build site at Kampong Kiansom Lama during the build by ISKL. She was introduced to the teachers in charge and was given a briefing on the progress by the Board Members. Thanks for coming by and providing us with energy and encouragement, Gloria!

Team work of ISKL

10th June 2008: Pictures show progress of building site as the 3 teams from ISKL continue to work on Day 2 at Kampong Kiansom Lama.