A charity group is seeking volunteers for an imaginative Romanian building project.

Habitat for Humanity Northern Ireland has just launched the initiative, Big Build 09 and need to find 250 volunteers from across Northern Ireland prepared to travel to Romania and help build 10 homes.

Peter Farquharson, the charity's co-founder and Executive Director said: "2009 is Habitat's 15th year in Northern Ireland and the Big Build is a way of celebrating our global partnerships and our commitment to transforming communities by building decent homes alongside those in need wherever they live."

Over the last 10 years more than 200 teams have participated in the programme raising £1.7 million in donations which has helped transform the lives of families in need in 32 countries worldwide.

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Some 27 teams have already travelled to Romania where more than 300 local volunteers worked alongside families in need in building not just homes but hope for the future.

Carolyn Mada, a Habitat volunteer from Portavogie, who has led a number of teams to Romania recommends taking part: "Helping a family build their own home is a truly humbling experience, this is a great opportunity to be part of an unforgettable week which will change the lives of 10 families forever."

Peter Farquharson added: "We have chartered two airplanes, leaving Dublin on 3rd October, but we still need the 250 people."

Around 35% of the total housing stock in Romania is in the state of complete neglect and needing urgent repairs.

Romania faces the challenge of thousands of children orphaned under the previous communist regime. The Big Build will include homes for five orphans who are no longer eligible to remain in the local orphanage and will provide a fresh start and new hope for the future.

See: www.habitatni.co.uk

(BMcC/JM)