The Our Children Return Home project works with families in the Santiago Metro Region with critically ill children. Because of the poor condition of their family homes, these children cannot receive treatment with their families and instead must spend their childhood in hospitals and medical centers. While the families receive government medical aid, they lack the resources to improve their living situation. Habitat Chile´s goal is to construct 200 modifications in the next two years, so that 200 critically ill children can return to their family homes to received treatment in the company of their family. Habitat Chile receives recommendations from local hospitals and non-profit organizations, and follows up with a social and technical (construction) analysis of the family. The modifcations vary based on the illness, for example a child with arthritis would need a bedroom with good insulation so that the cold weather doesn´t aggrevate the illness, and a child with an auto-immune weakness that is sharing a bedroom with her 3 siblings would need her own bedroom to prevent the transfer of germs.

Team Members

Nancy Hamill

I live on the gorgeous Mill River, PEI. I am married to Scott and we have a 17 year old daughter in her last year of high school. I am 41. I teach part time. I love to kayak, road bike, run, yoga, ski(downhill and water), snowshoe, read, write poetry and sketch. I am a cancer survivor. I am extensively involved with Canadian Cancer Society @ provincial level and national level. In 2007, I was on of 6 women across Canada to be FLARE magazines volunteer of the year. In 2008 I received the Order of PEI for my volunteerism. Global Village is an amazing organization to be involved in. I cannot wait to participate with the team in Chile. Next up...South Africa/Mozambique.

Joanne & Mike Solak
Greetings from Joanne and Mike Solak. We live and work in Halifax, after a few stops along the way. Both of us like to travel, and as our kids get older, we enjoy travelling with new groups of friends and experiencing a bit more than regular sight-seeing. Our first Habitat adventure was a build in Louisiana and it was a fabulous experience. We're hooked!
While hammering away on the job, you'll find we like to talk about cooking, quilting, Hawaiian volcanoes, soccer, wine, stained glass, canal-cruising in Europe, and the Australian outback. We look forward to meeting everyone in person - it sounds like it'll be both fun and worthwhile.
Can't wait,



Michelle Perrow (Owens)


Hi everyone
I am Michelle and I live in Mississauga, Ontario about 20 minutes west of Toronto. I am a single mom with a 21 year old son and a 17 year old daughter (who participated in her first Habitat trip to Kenya in April). I am now retired and have caught the dreadful disease of "habititize". This trip to Chile will be my 8th Global Village trip. I have been fortunate to help families in Guyana, Uganda, Thailand, Vietnam, Jordan, Papua New Guinea and just completed a trip to an Indian Reserve in South Dakota. Every trip has been special and I have met amazing team mates and family members. In my spare time I love to ski, snowboard, golf, cycle and read. Looking forward to meeting you all. I can't wait. Cheers Michelle


Melanie McMillan
I personally can't wait to meet everyone! I believe I'm one of the younger members taking part in this particular habitat. I turned 19 in April and I graduated from high school in June 2008. instead of going to a post secondary school in September I went to Australia for three months and had the time of my life. I do alot fo volunteer work for the Canadian Cancer society especially wih Relay For Life. In September I will be attending Holland College to study events management with plans to attend University in New Brunswick and get my business degree... um.. that pretty much me! if you have any questions feel free to ask!!!!

Looking forward to meeting you!!! I am the one on the left.

Chris Trail
I'm 21 from Cascumpec PEI. I'm a full time 3rd period apprentice as a Precision Machinist with a company called Trout River Industries. My hobbies include, golfing nonestop, playing guitar, gym, hockey and playing poker. Can't wait to make a difference in the world!


Mandel Fraser

Hey, I'm Mandel, I am 20 years old and was born and raised on PEI. I am currently heading into my last year at the University of Prince Edward Island and am majoring in Food and Nutrition. I am hoping to figure out what I want to do with this degree soon!
I love spending time out on the river wether it is kayaking, sea-dooing, or kneeboarding, and in the winter months I try and do a lot of skiing, but being on PEI where there are no mountains it is hard. I also am into yoga and someday would love to become a yoga instructor.
I have done quite a bit of traveling but would love to do more once I am finished of university.

Can’t wait to meet you all!

Norma Ellis

"Born and raised on PEI. Grew up on a family farm in Elmsdale. One of six children. My sister (Sheila) is also travelling with us. I re-married seven years ago. My husband Brian and I live in Summerside. We have five children, ranging in age from 31-26. I have the oldest, the youngest, and the one in between. We also have two grandchildren.
I work as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) at our local hospital. I truly enjoy my work and my favorite patients are our veterans. I enjoy walking, biking, gardening, and a good book.
This will be my first trip with Habitat For Humanity. I have worked on a local project in the past. I'm looking forward to our trip in November and meeting new friends."

Gilberto Salcedo
(Scarborough, Ontario)


* originally from Mindoro, Philippines - a beautiful tropical island in the Far East.
* came to Canada in the early '80s and grew to love everything about this vast land
* like to spend my days off helping out teach kid's karate classes.
* depending on the season.. I'd go biking, play hockey, running, photography, yoga, etc..
* on my holidays I'd like to volunteer with local and international habitat for humanity projects
* love a whole eclectic world of music but, I've always gravitated to Jazz, especially Brazilian Bossa Nova.
* I don't really have a favourite TV show but, I'm a DIE HARD fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs -- Go LEAFS Go!! 

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