FAQs

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HOW DO YOU SELECT THE FAMILIES?
Our aim is to find families living in extreme poverty, often in remote villages not covered by other aid organisations. We liaise with village leaders to identify and carry out informal interviews to help families most in need.

 

HOW MUCH CAN I DONATE?
We have set amounts in order to keep our administration costs to a minimum. Small donations can purchase a bicycle or a new business startups. Larger amounts can supply a toilet, sponsor our local staff, or gift an entire house. Explore these options here.

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ARE DONATIONS TAX DEDUCTIBLE?
Yes. Within Australia we partner with the Rotary Club through their Brighton office. For USA and UK donors we partner with other charities to provide tax deductions. Contact us for more information. 

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HOW MUCH OF MY DONATION WILL GOES INTO ADMIN COSTS?
None. High administration costs are a big problem for many charities. Our grassroots approach not only minimises these costs, but GVH's founder, Jason Thatcher, uses part-profits from his motorbike tour businesses in Cambodia and Vietnam to pay for these costs. 100% of your donation goes toward changing the lives of Cambodians living in poverty. 

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IS THERE ACCOUNTABILITY TO SAFEGUARD DONATIONS?
Yes. We are registered with Ministry of Interior department with the Cambodian government (No:4595). We comply with the strict requirements of Rotary Club which handles our Australian donations. We also comply with requirements of partner charities who accept UK and USA donations. Our books are audited annually and these are available upon request. 

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CAN THE FAMILY SELL OR RENT THE HOUSE?
No. We have developed a 100% successful contract that prevents the house from being rented, sold, used as collateral for loans, or taken by loan sharks who often prey on poor families. 

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WHO BUILDS THE HOMES? 
GVH's local building team manufactures, transports and assembles our houses on site. Our factory in Phom Penh provides employment and training to Cambodians who eventually go on to more skilled positions. 

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HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BUILD A HOUSE?
Each house takes about three to four days to be manufactured in the factory. These are then flat-packed so they can be transported to even the most inaccessible areas, and assembly on location usually takes one day. 

 

WHAT ELSE IS INCLUDED WITH THE HOUSE? 
Every home comes with a rainwater collection system, solar-powered lighting, secure concrete footings and floor, and lockable door and windows (a toilet is also an optional extra). Finally there is a welcome pack with the family's new home. This includes rice, noodles, sauces, a floormat, mosquito net, soap, detergents, blanket and pillows. Where possible we buy these locally to support the local village economy. 

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WHY ARE THE HOUSES MADE FROM STEEL?
Steel is the ideal material offering strength and durability for low cost housing. It's also more cost-effective and doesn't contribute to the extensive deforestation of Cambodia. The tough galvanised frame is fully insulated with a cross ventilation design to be much cooler than traditional housing.
 
WHO DESIGNED THE HOUSES?
GVH founder, Jason Thatcher, was a self-funded aid volunteer in Cambodia for over 10 years working with families living in extreme poverty in garbage dumps and remote villages. From this experience he designed this low cost housing solution. The first design was very successful and it has evolved with feedback from the GVH team and families themselves. The design is registered in Cambodia and is suitable for use in other developing countries. 

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CAN I BECOME A VOLUNTEER?
As Global Village Housing employs locally in Cambodia, we have limited volunteer positions available. However there could be opportunities for people with vital skills and expertise. We are certainly open to any ideas or assistance you can offer. 

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CAN I BECOME A CORPORATE OR COMMUNITY PARTNER?
Yes, we welcome like-minded organisations who want to form a social responsibility partnership to create real tangible change.  Get in touch with us to discuss this. 

I WANT TO GIFT A HOUSE. WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP?
You can organise your donation here if in Australia. From other countries, please contact us for details. Gifting a home is a very personal experience and one of our dedicated GVH team members will contact you about your sponsorship, the family, the build date and the location. 

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