It is hard to believe that in such a modern city, homelessness still affects so many people. Since the fall of apartheid the South African government has built 2 million houses for the poor. Despite this achievement some 2.4 million people, almost the population of Wales, still live in shacks. This is a massive problem. Today, Brad and Andrew are asking for your help.

What is the Niall Mellon Township Trust? In 2002 a Dublin developer called Niall Mellon took a holiday to South Africa, and like every holidaymaker he was surprised by the number of shacks lining the roads from the airport. These shacks formed what is commonly become known as a Township. However, unlike the majority of holiday makers Niall was fascinated by these shacks, so much so that he wanted to learn what life was like in these Townships. He was horrified to see that people were living in terrible conditions, with no running water, no electricity and no sanitary facilities. He left South Africa determined not to just arrive home and forget. Niall was determined to make a difference so he started the Niall Mellon Township Trust with an initial donation of one million euros. To this day, Niall continues to pay the administrative costs of the charity.

The Niall Mellon township trust works all year around with shack dwellers building houses and communities in South Africa. Whilst much of the building work is done by volunteers, the charity is regularly training around 400 residents of the township, giving them the trades required for building work and providing vital employment for people within the townships.

Once a year the Niall Mellon township trust organises an annual building blitz when a team of volunteers join the charity on a week long mission to eradicate the shacks, united in their goal of changing the lives of poor people. In November 2007, 1380 volunteers went on this blitz – two of them from Wales, Brad and Andrew, who helped build 203 houses changing the lives of over 1500 people. It is without doubt one of the biggest overseas volunteer missions…., and it is only getting bigger.

When they returned from last years building blitz they were determined to organise a team of 71 people from Swansea to share an experience that they would never forget. If this is achieved it would leave a legacy for all the people of Swansea to be proud of.