Willo Brock is the Director of Resource Development for Habitat For Humanitys Europe and Central Asia office, located right here in Budapest.
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit group established in 1976 with the aim of eliminating poverty housing and homelessness. Today, Habitat operates in 82 countries and provides a decent rural and urban shelter around the world at the rate of 25,000 a year.
Following university in the Netherlands, Willos work with non-profit organizations allowed him to visit and work in nearly 70 countries before leading him to Budapest. Among Willos many responsibilities for Habitat is the administration of all fundraising efforts and volunteer development activities. There are a variety of volunteer opportunities available through the Budapest office, and Willo assures us that construction skills are not required. For more information on how you can help Habitat for Humanity build homes for people in need, visit
www.habitateurope.org.
Xpat Interview:
1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
This time I arrived 13 August. And before that July 17 and before that
I guess you mean permanently which probably could be set at March 2004.
2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
Yes, In Pakistan, Estonia and Sri Lanka.
3. What do you hope to accomplish, personally or career-wise, during your stay in Hungary?
Get Habitat for Humanity well known and securely funded.
4. What surprised you most about Hungary?
How much like home it is and how many people think that everything here is strange and different.
5. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend--what must they absolutely see and do?
Go for good food, classical concert or opera, and the baths.
6. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
I love the huge variety of food and the good restaurants. Are they Hungarian? I wouldnt know.
7. What food from home do you miss the most?
I come from the Netherlands. Along with British food, our food shares the top spot for to be missed.
8. What is never missing from your kitchen?
Chocolate in the fridge.
9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
None.
10.Whats a job you would definitely never want?
Working in a big bureaucracy. I would die.
11. Where did you spend your last vacation and where do you hope to spend your next one?
US and Canada was the last. I traveled to about 70 countries and thus have 100 left. Any one of those would do.
12. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
Playing football. I spent more time doing that than going to school. Not that I can play well, though.
13. What cant you resist?
Chocolate and good cognac.
14. Red wine or white?
Red.
15. Decaf or regular?
This question is an insult to coffee.
16. Book or movie?
Book.
17. Morning person or night person?
More afternoon.
18. Dog person or cat person?
Cat. I have 2 and the neighbours cat sometimes joins.
19. Buda side or Pest side?
Buda. I like to be able to breath some fresh air part of the day.
20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Act.