BRATISLAVA (August 19, 2024) – Habitat for Humanity and Grundfos, a global leader in advanced pump solutions and water technologies, are excited to announce a new global partnership aimed at improving housing conditions and water access for vulnerable communities in Brazil. This partnership will focus on empowering local communities through innovative solutions that address both social and environmental challenges.
In Shuto Orizari, a culturally rich municipality in North Macedonia, lives the Salievski family. This area is known for its vibrant Roma community, which has faced significant social and economic challenges over the years. The family consists of Senad Salievski, his wife Elvira, their three sons aged 9, 12, and 14, and their 4-year-old daughter. Despite the odds, Senad is determined to provide a better life for his family.
In Shuto Orizari, a culturally rich municipality in North Macedonia, lives the Salievski family. This area is known for its vibrant Roma community, which has faced significant social and economic challenges over the years. The family consists of Senad Salievski, his wife Elvira, their three sons aged 9, 12, and 14, and their 4-year-old daughter. Despite the odds, Senad is determined to provide a better life for his family.
Senad works as a cashier at the City Casino to support his family. Although he holds a high school diploma in machining from “Vlado Tasevski,” he has struggled to find employment as a mechanic due to limited job opportunities. In Shuto Orizari, where unemployment rates are high and housing conditions are often inadequate, these challenges are all too familiar.
Senad’s journey is further complicated by the prejudice and exclusion he faces as a member of the Roma community. Historically, the Roma people have encountered significant barriers to accessing education, employment, and housing. This systemic discrimination creates obstacles that prevent Senad from reaching his full potential despite his skills and training.
As the primary breadwinner for his family of six, Senad shoulders the responsibility alone. His wife, Elvira, hasn’t been able to secure stable work, despite her eagerness and willingness. Despite all of this, the family’s perseverance is outstanding. Senad and Elvira are relentless in their efforts to improve their living conditions and provide a better life for their children.
Reflecting on his childhood, Senad says, “My family was extremely modest. My parents, despite their efforts, were unable to buy basic necessities. Things like shoes and socks were unattainable for me and my siblings. During my high school education, I had to rely solely on copying notes from the blackboard because we couldn’t afford textbooks.” Despite these challenges, Senad was able to finish high school, and these experiences fuel his determination to provide a better future for his children.
The Salievski family lives on a piece of land generously given by Elvira’s father. Their house sits in the same yard where Senad’s grandfather resides. With the support of their extended family, they were able to build a 54-square-meter home. However, the house requires significant improvements for decent living. The family faces harsh winters with no insulation, relying on a single heated room to stay warm. The house lacks a facade, and crucial work like installing polystyrene insulation and gutters remains unfinished.
These improvements are critical for the family’s living conditions. Polystyrene insulation keeps the house warm in winter and cool in summer, making the home more energy-efficient and reducing heating costs. Proper gutter installation is essential for preventing water damage and protecting the foundation. Without these improvements, the home becomes extremely vulnerable to weather and environmental damage.
Furthermore, their house isn’t formally legalized, adding another layer of challenges and preventing the family from accessing basic services like housing loans and public services. But with the support of Habitat for Humanity Macedonia’s office and the Home Equals project, the family was able to formally legalize their home. This step empowers the family, giving them legal rights and access to basic services.
“Legalizing my house is the first step towards making our home a place of warmth and security. I am determined to give my children a better life, and with this support, I am one step closer to that dream.”— Senad Salievski
As our team in Macedonia left Senad’s house, it was filled with children’s laughter that echoed in the air. Their perseverance is a true testament to community support and involvement, standing together to overcome adversity one step at a time.
Click here to learn more about our Home Equals project and sign the pledge to help people living in informal settlements have equitable access to adequate housing
Waiting at the door with eyes filled with curiosity, 11-year-old Veronika greeted our Habitat for Humanity Hungary team as they arrived to install her brand new drop swing. For Veronika, who lives with autism, consistency and security are crucial. Having fled from Ukraine and endured the torment of war, the drop swing is more than just a piece of furniture; it’s a sanctuary where she can retreat when life becomes overwhelming.
Waiting at the door with eyes filled with curiosity, 11-year-old Veronika greeted our Habitat for Humanity Hungary team as they arrived to install her brand new drop swing. For Veronika, who lives with autism, consistency and security are crucial. Having fled from Ukraine and endured the torment of war, the drop swing is more than just a piece of furniture; it’s a sanctuary where she can retreat when life becomes overwhelming.
The past two years have been incredibly challenging for Veronika and her mother, Viki. As a single mom, Viki had to make the difficult decision to flee Kyiv after the Russian bombings began. Initially, she believed the war would be temporary and stocked their apartment with essential items. However, on March 8th, it became clear they had to leave. “I looked out the window in horror, seeing people frantically packing their belongings like thousands of ants. Everyone wanted to escape,” Viki recalls. In a panic, they left Kyiv with just a suitcase and a backpack, leaving behind everything familiar to Veronika and witnessing the destruction of Hostomel airport on their way.
They initially sought refuge with Viki’s mother outside Kyiv, but soon the shelling followed. A rocket even landed in a neighbor’s yard, forcing them to hide in a basement in freezing temperatures for three days. This was far from ideal for Veronika, whose condition required stability and consistency.
Determined to find a safe and stable environment, Viki sought a long-term solution and found a suitable place in Lviv. However, bombing soon reached there as well. Panicked, she decided to head to Poland and then to Georgia, but long waits at the border led her to change plans and head to Hungary.
Their goal was Budapest, knowing the city had the resources Veronika needed. Initially, they were placed in a temporary shelter far from the city, feeling isolated and misunderstood due to the language barrier. “In the first days, I just cried. The uncertainty with a child was the most difficult thing for me. Everything was foreign: the people, the language, the environment. I didn’t know anything or anyone and couldn’t talk to anyone. I felt so alone. No one understood that my daughter had special dietary needs, nor did they let me into the kitchen. Veronika could not eat anything, and I didn’t know what to do. One night, a Ukrainian couple arrived at the shelter. I cried even louder, but this time because of happiness. We weren’t alone anymore.”
Over time, Viki began making plans again. She searched for schools and suitable housing in Budapest but faced numerous rejections due to their refugee status and Veronika’s autism. Eventually, a compassionate Russian lady helped them find an apartment, arranging everything for them. This marked a new beginning for Viki and Veronika.
“The moment we secured the apartment, I felt a huge sense of relief and safety!” Viki recalls. “This chance for a new beginning gave me the strength to keep going. I don’t want to remember the hopelessness of sitting and waiting helplessly.”
In addition to the swing, Habitat for Humanity Hungary also provided household appliances to support Veronika’s special dietary needs. Veronika has started attending school, and Viki is persistently seeking employment. She is hopeful for the future because, for so long, her goal was to find stability. Now that she has found it, she and her daughter can begin rebuilding the life they lost in Kyiv.
Bratislava (July 15, 2024) - Habitat for Humanity and the leading philanthropic foundation called Laudes Foundation are proud to announce a transformative three-year partnership aimed at addressing the pressing challenges of social housing and climate change through a flagship regional project devoted to renovating and repurposing vacant spaces into homes.
Jordan, home to one of the highest per capita shares of refugees in the world, faces significant challenges. Out of its 11 million population, one-third are refugees from neighboring countries like Palestine, Syria, and Iraq. Most have arrived in the last two decades due to regional conflicts, exerting immense pressure on the country’s public services, energy resources, and notably its water supply, as Jordan is one of the most water-scarce nations globally.
For low-income families, securing decent housing is a major challenge due to economic conditions. With an unemployment rate of approximately 26%, over 2 million Jordanians lack access to affordable housing, and 1.36 million live in poor conditions. According to the UNHCR, 80% of refugees in Jordan live below the poverty line, including 60% who live in extreme poverty.
Jordan, home to one of the highest per capita shares of refugees in the world, faces significant challenges. Out of its 11 million population, one-third are refugees from neighboring countries like Palestine, Syria, and Iraq. Most have arrived in the last two decades due to regional conflicts, exerting immense pressure on the country’s public services, energy resources, and notably its water supply, as Jordan is one of the most water-scarce nations globally.
For low-income families, securing decent housing is a major challenge due to economic conditions. With an unemployment rate of approximately 26%, over 2 million Jordanians lack access to affordable housing, and 1.36 million live in poor conditions. According to the UNHCR, 80% of refugees in Jordan live below the poverty line, including 60% who live in extreme poverty.
Launched in 2018, Habitat for Humanity Jordan’s MERCI program aims to enhance the living conditions and well-being of refugees and vulnerable groups by creating safer, more resilient homes and improving access to water and sanitation. The project primarily targets urban areas with high population density and inadequate infrastructure. Many homes lack clean water, proper sanitation, and reliable electricity, severely impacting the health and well-being of residents. Additionally, poor construction and the absence of essential amenities such as doors, windows, and ventilation lead to illnesses and hazardous living conditions. Economic barriers, especially pronounced for female-headed households, refugees with limited employment opportunities, people with disabilities, and the elderly, complicate access to necessary renovations.
The program focuses on the most vulnerable groups in Jordan, renovating homes to meet basic health and safety standards. This begins by collaborating with the local community to identify at-risk households. Engineers then meet with families to understand their concerns and assess homes, determining the most pressing issues and possible interventions to enhance living conditions. The renovations, which are environmentally conscious, utilize low-cost, eco-friendly construction techniques.
Renovations vary but typically include installing or repairing doors, windows, and roofing, remodeling bathrooms, fitting kitchen cabinets, and conducting mold remediation. A significant upgrade in many homes is the installation of proper insulation, previously nonexistent, which has led to reduced heating and cooling costs. After these improvements, residents have reported enhanced comfort and a 10% reduction in energy bills. Another critical issue is outdated pipelines that contribute to water wastage. Given Jordan’s limited water supply, many residents face regular shortages due to inadequate piping. However, pipeline repairs through the MERCI program have resulted in a 34% reduction in water usage and significantly fewer water outages.
Malath Al Zain, a Syrian refugee, and his family are beneficiaries of the project. Displaced for years in Syria, they arrived in Jordan in 2012 and initially lived in Zaatari camp. Due to limited opportunities, they moved to Amman, living in a dilapidated flat with inadequate basic amenities. The poor living conditions impacted their health, particularly their daughter Farah, who frequently missed school due to illness. Malath, a street vendor, struggled to improve their living situation. The family suffered from unsafe conditions, including broken doors and windows and an abundance of insects.
Malath Al Zain
Malath’s wife shared, “It was really difficult to feel safe at home. We had no privacy, and I constantly feared for our safety, especially because the house was always filled with insects. Winters were the hardest; we never managed to warm the house, always huddling under blankets.”
Habitat’s team intervened by repairing the basic amenities of their home, enhancing safety and privacy. Farah expressed, “I never felt comfortable at home. Now, I can comfortably sleep, study, and play—a first for me.” The renovation also included crucial improvements to the kitchen by installing cupboards and addressing basic necessities, critical for the family’s livelihood.
Farah
In another part of Amman, Feryal, an Iraqi widow, also benefited from the program. She struggled with safety and security in her small apartment due to broken windows, a missing front door, and a sloped cement floor. After receiving a new window, tiled floor, painted walls, and repaired toilet, Feryal stated, “I used to avoid staying at home because it felt unlivable and unsafe. Now, I feel secure and sleep better, knowing I can lock my front door and shut my windows.”
Visiting Feryal now feels welcoming, as she opens her home to share stories of Iraq, her childhood country. Her home’s warmth and her hospitality, highlighted by her quirky plant friend “Hajji Dadoo,” make guests feel instantly comfortable.
Feryal
The MERCI program also includes communal projects to address overstretched local facilities and integrate residents into a larger community framework. Through the program, 300,000 individuals have benefited from various interventions. One such effort involved a CBO that serves 250 beneficiaries annually, with 150 being refugees. Maintenance work on the CBO’s building, updates to the kitchen’s water network, and improvements to hygiene facilities and outdoor spaces have made a substantial difference, especially for children and the elderly. To learn more about the MERCI program, read more in our fact sheet.
BRATISLAVA (June 7, 2024) – James Hardie, a global leader in high-performance building solutions, has announced extending their partnership to activities in Europe. This initiative follows the successful collaboration between James Hardie and Habitat for Humanity in the United States, where the two organizations have worked together to empower homeowners and build resilient homes.
Habitat for Humanity Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter (TCIS) had the honour of attending a graduation ceremony hosted by our valued partner, The Toolkit Skills and Innovation Hub (TTI) on June 5th, 2024 in Nairobi.
It was a day filled with excitement and promise as youth from diverse backgrounds gathered to receive internationally recognized certifications in various technical skills.
With support from our donor Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (CFYE), Habitat for Humanity’s TCIS, has partnered with The Toolkit Skills and Innovation Hub, along with young innovators, TVET institutions, government agencies, and the public sector to equip youth with skills necessary for providing quality housing construction services and materials, and to offer them decent employment opportunities.
Through this partnership, we aim to impact about 650 youth by providing training and upskilling in renewable energy, plumbing, wiring, landscape architecture, and advanced welding using virtual reality technology.
Deputy Ambassador of Germany to Kenya trying out the VR welding simulator
The colourful event was attended by various partners, notably the Kenya National Qualification Authority, the Deputy Speaker of the Kenya National Assembly, Gladys Shollei, the Deputy Ambassador of Germany, and our funding partner CFYE represented by Kenya country lead Beatrice Gichohi, among other market players.
From left to right: Jane Kamphuis, Director, TTI; Dr. Alice Kande, Director, Kenya National Qualification Authority; Beatrice Gichohi, CFYE Kenya country lead; Hon. Gladys Shollei, Deputy Speaker of the Kenya National Assembly and Masua Mutua, Regional Manager, TCIS.
What was truly remarkable about this lineup of guests was that it demonstrated the importance of bringing diverse actors together in co-creating solutions to the industry’s challenges.
Beatrice Gichohi, CFYE’s Kenya Country Lead, highlighted this collaborative spirit, emphasizing that addressing youth unemployment and scaling participation for both women and youth in the construction sector requires diverse voices working together.
Beatrice Gichohi, CFYE Kenya country lead
This sentiment was echoed by the various industry players who have partnered with TTI to open pathways to internships and job opportunities for trainees. Financial partners like CFYE have supported Habitat for Humanity in our partnership with TTI, while technology experts like Dig In Vision have introduced revolutionary tools like the Virtual Reality Welding Simulator, which has reduced training costs and time from two to three years to a remarkable three months at the institution
Government partners, such as the Kenya National Qualification Authority, ensure that both trainees and instructors receive internationally recognized certification, which opens them up to opportunities both locally and abroad.
This significant need for technical skills in Kenya and Africa was highlighted by Hon. Shollei who encouraged youth, particularly women, to take up space in the sector.
Her words were emphasized by Masua Mutua, Regional Manager HFH TCIS, who underscored the acute need for housing among these groups, especially as youth form the largest demographic in Africa. In this regard, he emphasized the importance of youth and women being active participants in championing solutions and affirmed our continued commitment to support their meaningful participation in this sector.
Masua also noted that TTI’s passion for youth and women resonates deeply with Habitat for Humanity. Their dedication to training and securing employment for the trainees was evident, as several of them graduated in absentia, having already secured jobs in the EU and locally.
Masua Mutua, Regional Manager, TCIS
In his keynote address, H.E. the Deputy Ambassador of Germany encouraged the trainees to explore international career paths, noting Germany’s annual shortage of approximately 200,000 skilled workers. He urged them to continue upskilling and highlighted the German government’s commitment to supporting local TVET institutions to meet the evolving demands of the labor market.
The ceremony concluded with the guests reaffirming their commitments to partnering with the Institution to further opportunities in the construction sector.
As Habitat for Humanity, we were proud to witness the next generation of youth and women construction professionals take their first steps in their careers. We look forward to empowering more Kenyan youth and women, driving positive change in the construction industry, and building a brighter future for Africa.
Where would you sleep, live, and raise your kids without a safe place to call home? Adequate housing is recognized as a human right. Yet, in Nepal, nearly half of the population lives in substandard housing conditions, hindering their opportunities for social and economic advancement. Like many in her country, 29-year-old Pramila, a devoted mother of two, intimately understands the impact of this challenge.
Where would you sleep, live, and raise your kids without a safe place to call home? Adequate housing is recognized as a human right. Yet, in Nepal, nearly half of the population lives in substandard housing conditions, hindering their opportunities for social and economic advancement. Like many in her country, 29-year-old Pramila, a devoted mother of two, intimately understands the impact of this challenge.
Housing reality in Nepal
In Nepalese culture, owning a house is a legacy parents want to pass on to their children. But for many, despite hard work and consistent savings, the ability to afford a safe and permanent home is out of reach. Instead, they live in informal settlements on disaster-prone land with many hazards and difficult living conditions. Often lacking access to running water, sanitation, or medical care, they share small buildings as extended families and live in constant fear of eviction.
Pramila’s family did not even have formal access to their own living space. They had to park their rickshaw in a neighbor’s yard and cross someone else’s property every time they wanted to go out of the house. Because the construction methods are not up to standard, the buildings in the informal settlements are very vulnerable to natural disasters.
Commitment to self-determination
For Pramila, the situation got even worse when her husband had to leave their family to seek employment in the Middle East.
“When my husband had to leave, it was a difficult time for our family. But I was insistent on not letting adversity hold us back. It wasn’t easy at first, but I pushed myself and took charge of our financial well-being,” she recalls.
Determined to secure a better future for their children, she has learned to drive an auto-rickshaw and to continue her husband’s business with it in Nepal. This has enabled her to support her family. Despite her efforts, the dream of having a safe home was still a goal, she couldn’t achieve. And even if she had earned enough to finance the construction of a lasting house, the land she lived on would have been too small. Recently, however, this dream of Pramila came true, when she moved into a newly constructed bamboo house.
Green and resilient technology
With her family, Pramila now lives in the vibrant community of Nagar Gaurav village. The houses there are built with our Cement Bamboo Frame technology, which enables the environmentally friendly and affordable construction of disaster-resistant housing. This step has empowered her beyond imagination.
“Having a stable home has left a profound and positive impact on our lives, bolstering our self-confidence. It fills my heart with pride to see my children grow up in such a safe and nurturing environment. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had, and I will continue to strive for a better future for my family and our community,” Pramila emphatically attests.
Together with our implementing partner, the Hilti Foundation, we aim to help more families like Pramila’s lay the foundation for a self-determined future with a safe and affordable home.
An empowered idol
With this newfound confidence behind her, Pramila has worked even harder and is now seen as a role model in her community. By taking part in mason training and helping to build her community, she has earned a sufficient income, which she invested into her business to buy a tricycle. She sets an example for many women in the neighborhood to venture out of their comfort zones and provide for their families.
“I believe that every step we take towards our dreams, no matter how small, propels us closer to success. As I venture into new businesses and embrace learning, my determination knows no limits. I am driven to enhance my capabilities and forge a brighter future for myself and my family,” she concludes.
Cement Bamboo Frame Technology in Nepal
Nepal’s Ministry of Urban Development reports a need for nearly one million homes in the country over the next decade to meet rising demand, yet current construction practices using fired bricks and fuel combustion are expensive and harmful to the environment. Addressing global inflation rates and reducing air pollution from traditional construction methods is crucial. In Madhesh province, over 37% of families have houses with vulnerable bamboo walls, leading to high repair and maintenance costs. In 2012, Hilti engineers began testing Cement Bamboo Frame Technology, utilizing bamboo as the main structural element to provide sustainable, affordable, and disaster-resistant housing. Thanks to the partnership between the Hilti Foundation and Habitat for Humanity, over 274 homes have been built in Nepal using this method by 2023, benefiting communities, establishing local supply chains, and creating rural employment.
Partnership between Habitat for Humanity and the Hilti Foundation
Since 2012, the Hilti Foundation’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity has helped more than 5 million people around the world build or improve their homes by applying innovative, eco-friendly and disaster-resilient shelter technologies, increasing access to affordable financing and transforming market systems. Our partnership is built on four pillars: Driving green construction at scale, creating inclusive markets for innovative housing products, building public-private-private partnerships for holistic housing change, and providing opportunities for employees to engage beyond the business.
Have you ever considered the sheer number of unused commercial and business premises scattered about? Just picture this: Rather than constructing new houses and apartment complexes, why not repurpose these vacant spaces into warm and welcoming homes for those struggling to find a decent and secure place to live?
Have you ever considered the sheer number of unused commercial and business premises scattered about? Just picture this: Rather than constructing new houses and apartment complexes, why not repurpose these vacant spaces into warm and welcoming homes for those struggling to find a decent and secure place to live?
This strategy offers a sustainable solution to the UK’s housing crisis by using existing structures to address the limited availability of affordable housing and high cost of land.
Turning unused premises into warm and welcoming homes
Two years ago, a successful reconstruction project was completed on Gale Street in Dagenham, a town in East London. Today, this property claims three bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, a communal living and kitchen space, and an additional guest toilet. After furnishing the place with a mix of complimentary and second-hand furniture, and adding those final touches to make it feel like a true home, it was handed over to the London Borough Council of Barking and Dagenham, who will ensure that it is utilised as social housing for the next 15 years.
The new occupants have been residing in the shared house for a year and a half now. Among them are three young men, two of whom are asylum seekers. They express profound gratitude for the security and comfort of having a place they can call home.
John arrived in the UK in 2002 when he was still a child, seeking asylum from Eritrea. Initially, he lived with foster carers, but like many young people, he longed for independence. Making his own way in the world was a frightening prospect, and he felt nervous. “At first, I was worried. It was my first time living alone. Now I love it. I’m a big man now.” Support from the Council has helped him to learn new skills such as managing money and cooking. He was delighted when he visited the accommodation his social worker had found. “When I first saw the house, I loved it. The people who share it with me are good guys and clean. There is nothing I don’t like,” he said.
Ahmed, also an asylum seeker who had recently left a foster family, shared his friend’s concerns about how he would cope alone and agreed the house had offered a great learning experience. “I have learned many things because I live by myself. We all cook together and clean the house together.” He too loved the house at first sight and especially the extra privacy of having his own bathroom and staying close to his support networks. “Here I also have access to medical support, educational support, and transportation, and I can call my social worker anytime,” he said.
For both men, a comfortable and secure home has given them the space and stability to further their education.
John is currently studying at Barking and Dagenham College. In the coming years, he has hopes for a career in computer programming. “Now I’m excited for the future. I can start to work and live, to make a family. Before I wasn’t thinking about that. Now it’s changed. I want a family and to work,” he said.
“It is very important to have a secure and safe place. When I go out, I feel excited to come back home. Here, it is clean and brand new, and when you sleep, you feel good. The bed is soft on your skin,” John reflects with a sense of appreciation.
This project exemplifies the power of collaboration, dedication, and a shared commitment to social impact. The continued support of our partners has been pivotal in transforming empty commercial spaces into vital social housing for vulnerable community members.
Berceni, Prahova County, Romania, May 17th, 2024 – In an inspiring demonstration of leadership and community spirit, 48 business and civil society leaders gathered to participate in Habitat for Humanity Romania’s CEO Build event. This initiative brought together influential figures to build four homes with vulnerable families and advocate for better housing policies across the country.
Berceni, Prahova County, Romania, May 17th, 2024 – In an inspiring demonstration of leadership and community spirit, 48 business and civil society leaders gathered to participate in Habitat for Humanity Romania’s CEO Build event. This initiative brought together influential figures to build four homes with vulnerable families and advocate for better housing policies across the country.
Building More Than Just Homes
Under the motto “Leadership in Action,” the participants worked tirelessly over two days on the construction of four new homes in Berceni, Prahova County. Their efforts are expected to benefit not just these four families but also support another 100 families in Romania in accessing better housing by offering support for home building and renovations.
Adequate and affordable housing leads to better economic, health, and education outcomes; the process of housing improvement is often a ladder out of poverty for families. These changes benefit in turn the larger community, by reducing inequality and building resilience against economic and natural disasters. Build events like the CEO Build are designed to complement Habitat’s broader advocacy and strategy work for affordable housing at the national, regional, and global levels.
Roberto Pătrașcoiu, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Romania, highlighted the impact of this initiative: “The participation of business leaders and civil society in the CEO Build event demonstrates the power of solidarity and social responsibility. The construction of these houses is not just about the walls and the roofs, but about offering a real chance at a better future for vulnerable families.”
Leadership in Action: A Model for Community Engagement
The event was attended by Habitat’s partners, including Ioana Totoian, Business Development Manager at Wienerberger, and Monica Csaszar, Industrial Director of Glass at Saint-Gobain Romania, showcasing a collaborative effort across various sectors.
Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International, underscored the global significance of such local initiatives. He remarked, “The event was a remarkable success, and we are grateful for the support and participation of everyone. When you get involved as a volunteer, you become part of the community and do something truly transformative that creates intergenerational change for the families benefiting from these homes.”
A Vision for the Future
This CEO Build event is part of a larger project managed by Habitat for Humanity Romania, aiming to provide homes for 12 families comprising 45 members. These families were identified in collaboration with local authorities, ensuring that the new homes will significantly improve their quality of life.
In fact, one out of ten Romanians faces housing problems, living in homes where rainwater leaks through the roof and walls, creating a damp environment. Additionally, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies, 21% of Romanians live in households without indoor sanitary facilities.
By leading through action, these CEOs have set a powerful example for others in the business and civil sectors to engage in their communities and make a tangible difference. Their hands-on participation not only built homes but also hope and dignity for those in need of decent housing, paving the way for a brighter future for many Romanian families.
