A local charity will be teaming up with a worldwide organisation this summer to build homes for families in need.

The Bermuda Overseas Missions (BOM) and Habitat for Humanity are planning to construct ten houses in a rural village in Malawi, East Africa, in the traditional style and using native building materials.

“Many Malawian families are large, with six or seven children, and it is not uncommon for all the children to sleep on the floor in one room while the parents are in another,” BOM president David Thompson said.

“Having a roof over one’s head is a fundamental aspect of basic human dignity and the BOM volunteers will be making a serious contribution to help house up to ten families during our two-week trip.”

He added that Malawi is a wonderful country, with beautiful scenery, but that there is a great need for modest yet practical homes.

Mr Thompson is hoping that up to 40 volunteers will join BOM on the “trip of a lifetime”.

Mr Thompson said: “It’s a great opportunity to experience what’s going on in the world and to make a difference. You are there to help, to support families in need, and you don’t get that same exposure if you just write a cheque.

“Over the past 15 years, Bermudians and local residents have joined BOM and offered their time and energy to make a positive impact in overseas communities and help ensure that other, less fortunate folks, have a decent place to live.

“We last visited Africa in 2012 and since then we have been to India in 2013 and Bolivia in 2014, but Africa is popular with Bermudian volunteers and we are confident that this trip to Malawi will be a great success.”

The trip is planned for July 25 to August 10, but as the details are still being finalised, the dates may change.

Mr Thompson also said that sponsorship will be available and that there will be recreational time after the build. This will likely include a short safari and perhaps a water-based adventure.

Mr Thompson added that because Malawi is far away from the war-troubled parts of West Africa, as well as the Ebola-affected areas, these issues will not have a bearing on the trip.

A meeting outlining the plans will be held at Christ Church, Warwick, at 6pm on January 22.

Anyone interested in joining BOM in Malawi is encouraged to attend.

For more information, contact Mr Thompson at 705-4600 or e-mail david@ams.bm.