Volunteer Abroad

International volunteering opportunities

Our overseas volunteering programme, Global Village, accelerates our efforts and commitment to fulfil our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

Through our Global Village programme, teams of participants work hand in hand with communities, building not just homes, but hope. Over the course of a week, teams collaborate with local residents to construct homes and essential infrastructure that directly address housing poverty. 

We ask that each team is made up of 15 or more team members who are already committed to meeting the fundraising target, which starts at £3,000 per person. 

This contribution covers all in-country expenses, including accommodation, meals, transport to and from the build site, and the cost of building materials. It also includes a donation to the Country Programme, directly supporting a local community project, as well as a donation to Habitat for Humanity Great Britain, which helps us continue our work both in the UK and around the world. 

At this time, we’re not able to accommodate individual participants or open teams. 

For more information on our Global Village programme, please contact: hello@habitatforhumanity.org.uk 

We ask that each team is made up of 15 or more volunteers who are already committed to meeting the fundraising target, which starts at £3,000 per person. 

This contribution covers all in-country expenses, including accommodation, meals, transport to and from the build site, and the cost of building materials. It also includes a donation to the Country Programme, directly supporting a local community project, as well as a donation to Habitat for Humanity Great Britain, which helps us continue our work both in the UK and around the world. 

At this time, we’re not able to accommodate individual participants or open teams. 

Why build with us?

Today, 1.6 billion people live in slums and informal settlements where the walls aren’t sturdy enough, doors are missing, and roofs are leaking. Whether you're headed to Malawi, Kenya, Romania, Zambia or North Macedonia, every short-term build trip includes a donation which helps to support other programmes in the local community seeking to end housing poverty. As well as helping to create local jobs, you provide a crucial boost to our productivity - allowing us to build more homes at a faster pace than ever.

Romania

In Romania, more than 5 million people are living in poverty — 1.5 million of those are children. Nearly 8.5 million people (41.2% of the Romanian population) have no bath or shower or access to running water. According to the national statistics, 35% of the housing stock in Romania is in a state of complete neglect and needs urgent repairs. Real wages for working Romanian families have dropped by about 40%, putting additional pressure on the strained social system. The unemployed, farmers and housewives are most affected by severe poverty.

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Kenya

In Laikipia, Kenya more than 55% of the population lives in poverty, with 65% living in inappropriate housing. 15% of households in the county use pit latrines and 44.7% need to travel an average of 15-29 minutes to access water. In Laikipia County, HFH Kenya has been actively involved since 2015, focusing on key operational areas like Settlement-Based Practice, Financing for Owner-Led Construction (FOC), Disaster Risk Reduction and Response (DR3), and Evidence-Based Advocacy. HFH Kenya also conducts community training sessions on affordable housing solutions, demonstrating that alternative building technologies can reduce construction costs and empower community members to build decent houses using affordable and environmentally friendly local materials. These initiatives address critical community needs, including housing, water, sanitation, hygiene, livelihoods, and education.

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Malawi

More than half, or 58.9 %, of the 4.8 million housing units in Malawi are substandard homes. Typically, these houses are made of mud walls and grass thatched roofs. To meet the current housing demand, an estimated 21,000 new units will have to be constructed annually in the next 10 years. Anchored by the conviction that safe and affordable housing provides a path out of poverty, Habitat for Humanity Malawi has helped over 75,000 families to access decent housing. We work with vulnerable groups to build or improve the place they call home, improve water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, help families recover and rebuild following disasters, and provide informal vocational training. We also advocate for security of land tenure as well as sustainable and inclusive policies and systems that promote access to decent housing.

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My time in Malawi was an emotional roller coaster - building relationships with all of the families and children was wonderful. They were all so welcoming and friendly. Our team was also fantastic and I’ve made friends for life. Chris, Malawi
It is the noblest act of selflessness - to come to a strange country and help complete strangers to make the world a bit more just. George, Romania

Your impact worldwide

Every year, our volunteers participating in charity work abroad help build dozens of new homes and send well over £200,000 in raised donations as part of their volunteer trip costs (fundraised or not).

For the families we work with, you are valuable reminder that compassionate people regularly go out of their way to help them break the cycle of poverty. Join our mission to build resilient communities that can weather any storm (from cyclones to joblessness). Our work carries on well beyond home construction, as we provide skills and financial training to empower local communities.

How it works

1

Contact us - ask any questions you may have and we will get back to you shortly

2

Register for a build - you'll have to pay the registration fee after which you'll receive information to help you prepare for the build

3

Start fundraising - we'll provide you with support and tips to successfully reach your target

FAQs

Our volunteer abroad programme is unique, because we put you in touch with an active project. Check out these FAQs to understand how we create longlasting impact.
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Fundraising resources

We're constantly developing new material to help you raise the money needed to take part in your volunteer trip abroad and create a successful fundraiser.
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Do you have a question?

  • Wondering how to get started or how volunteering abroad works?
  • Thinking about organising a short-term volunteer trip for your organisation or company?

 

Get in touch with us and we will be there to support you along the way – introducing you to the Team Leader, setting up your fundraising page and helping with you reach your target.

Your Team Leader will be able to help you as you start to prepare. We have also online resources that will be useful as you embark on your journey.

Review our FAQs: 

 

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