Not only is the timeframe somewhat out of the ordinary, so too is the location – the outskirts of a monsoon-soaked Phnom Penh in Cambodia.

Under the auspices of the Christian-based charitable organisation Habitat for Humanity, the group of islanders will build a mud-brick home for a Cambodian family in about eight days.

In an effort to promote a sense of ownership for the recipients of the home they are required to pay back a no-interest mortgage and contribute 500 hours of ‘sweat equity’ to their home and subsequent building projects.

Housing conditions for low-income Cambodians have worsened significantly in the past decade with the number of slums in the nation’s capital increasing from 187 to 564, housing in excess of 300,000 people, one-quarter of the city’s population.

Habitat for Humanity international kicked off in 1976 and has provided housing for more than 1.5 million people since its inception and in 2009 a home is completed somewhere on the planet every 24 minutes.

In Cambodia the first Habitat house was built in 2003 and 323 have been built in both urban and rural locations.

“We are really looking forward to seeing this project through to fruition after nearly 18 months of planning and fundraising,” group spokesman Rob Ellson said.

“There’s no doubt it’s going to be a very challenging and confronting experience for our group as we battle the height of the monsoon season and come face to face with people who have to live every day with a quality of life so far removed from our own.

“This really is about so much more than just the 15 active participants as we have been overwhelmed by the support of businesses, groups and individuals on the Island.

“It’s going to be very rewarding to leave a little bit of the wonderful community spirit Kangaroo Island is so renowned for in a country that is so in need,” Mr Ellson said.

Although the exact details of the building project won’t be available until the group lands in Cambodia, the house will be of a mud brick or cement block construction and probably not much more than 30 square metres in size.

There will be a dedication ceremony held at the end of the project and the team is planning to donate most of its tools to the Cambodian community.

If you would like to know more about Habitat for Humanity visit www.habitat.org.au or call toll free 1800 885 599.