Habitat for Humanity of Broward Volunteer Leader Rob Collett could only shake his head in disbelief upon hearing the news of a devastating earthquake hitting Nepal a little over a month ago.
“It was incredible to hear about the loss of life and the serious damage that region absorbed,” said Collett. “Suddenly, my already scheduled fall trip to Pokara, Nepal for the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project 2015 took on urgent importance.”
More than 8,000 people lost their lives as a result of the magnitude-7.8 earthquake. Additionally, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, an estimated 2.8 million people have been displaced and more than 300,000 homes were destroyed or damaged.
Collett, along with six other Habitat for Humanity of Broward volunteers (Gina and Eduardo Caballero, Cheryl Yeager, Linda. D. Jones, Gary Blais and Mary Lou Bowman Cubbin), will be traveling to Pokara at the end of October to begin a week-long build on November 1.
The group will be joining thousands of volunteers from various Habitat affiliates around the world and in the U.S. for the build, which will consist of 100 new homes.
“Our goal is to complete the houses we are assigned to build,” said Collett. “I’m not sure what kind of damage from the earthquake we will see when we get there, but I’m sure there will be signs and reminders. Personally, I’ve seen that kind of devastation before in Haiti and along the Gulf Coast. With that said, we know why we’re there – to not only build simple, decent and affordable housing, but also to build hope.”
This will mark Collett’s 12th Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project. He’s been involved with Habitat for Humanity of Broward since 2000 and volunteers nearly every Saturday as a Volunteer Leader connected to different projects.
“To date, I’ve probably help build, in one form or another, over 300 homes, locally, nationally and internationally,” said the 57-year-old Collett. “Habitat for Humanity is something I love and believe in and will always remain dedicated and committed to.”
