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Tai O Stilt House Restoration and Community Development Project 2010-2013
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Habitat for Humanity China’s Hong Kong office focuses on fundraising and recruiting volunteers. Donations are allocated to Habitat housing programs in mainland China and disaster response efforts around the world such as the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile. In May 2010, a three-year restoration project in Tai O was launched to help ensure that homes of impoverished elderly residents are safe.
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In an affluent society such as Hong Kong, it is easy to overlook that there are many low-income households who cannot afford to improve their living conditions. One such community is in the picturesque Tai O fishing village. While it may enjoy being called Hong Kong’s Venice of the Orient, the housing conditions of some households, especially the elderly, leave much to be desired. Habitat for Humanity China is running a three-year project to help residents in Tai O, Lantau Island through a cultural building conservation program under a sustainable approach.
From the launch of the project in May 2010 to the end of 2010, Habitat had restored 24 stilt houses and 1 neighbourhood walkway for low-income elderly residents. Volunteers have participated in a series of “Habitat Builds”, each spending a full day working and restoring homes. Habitat’s goal is to restore a total of 88 stilt houses and 12 neighborhood walkways, and introduce solar energy solutions and an improved household sanitation piping system by 2013.
HFH China also plans to establish a Habitat Resource Centre to provide job training and community education for local residents, as well as community capacity building activities, such as environmental protection and cultural conservation, to help the lives of people living in Tai O. |
The Hong Kong Ballet Benefit Performance “Brilliant Steps” to support Restoration Project in Tai O |
On 23 May 2010, more than 1,500 people, including 700 youth from various backgrounds, attended the Hong Kong Ballet Benefit Performance “Brilliant Steps” at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre to support Habitat for Humanity’s Restoration Project in Tai O. The Hong Kong Ballet with international renowned guest dancers Gaelle Riou and Kazbek Akhmedyarov from Ballet du Capitole, Toulouse performed outstanding works by George Balanchine, William Forsythe, Nanette Glushak, Krzysztof Pastor, and Christopher Wheeldon. |
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