Bricking it
for charity

April 2009

Communications consultant Jon Goode has been helping to lay the foundations for better housing in Ghana as part of a charity expedition.

Jon headed out to build homes in the rural community of Bonkwae. The trip was organised by Habitat for Humanity, which exists to tackle poverty housing by working in partnership with people in need of safe, decent homes.

Jon spent a year fundraising for the trip, in the form of fun runs, quiz nights and a gruelling Snowdown climb, before setting out in April. The Bridge Group helped him smash his £2,000 target and colleagues Fran Hall and Dave Huskison also joined last year’s Coventry Fun Run to raise some collective cash.

As well as honing his plastering and earth moving skills, Jon busted some moves trying to keep up with the local dances and spent much of his time singing ‘heads, shoulders, knees and toes’ with the kids.

He said: “The whole experience was incredible. Spending time in the community and working alongside those who would ultimately be living in the homes was really rewarding. The trip was a real eye-opener in terms of seeing the inequalities that exist in the world. Many of the people there are living in no more than shacks yet are so gracious and willing to welcome you and share what little they have.”

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