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In my role at Habitat for Humanity, I’ve seen the profound impact our supporters have on the lives of people facing housing poverty all around the world.

Recently, I had the privilege of visiting one of our projects in Zambia, where I met incredible individuals who we are helping all thanks to the generosity of people just like you.

As I arrived in Mapepe, an informal settlement just outside Zambia’s capital, Lusaka, the extent of housing poverty became strikingly clear. The crumbling walls, makeshift roofs, and overcrowded spaces painted a vivid picture of lives spent in survival mode.

Each home told a story of resilience in the face of unimaginable challenges, but also of dreams put on hold.

Housing poverty here is overwhelming, and Mapepe is just one example of a global crisis. More than a billion people worldwide live in informal settlements, and in Zambia, 70% of urban residents are forced to live in unplanned settlements. These homes lack the most basic necessities: secure walls, access to clean water, and safe sanitation. This isn’t just unfair – it’s unacceptable.

During my visit to Mapepe, I met Vitiwe. If you had asked her what home equals, she might have told you it equalled crumbling walls that weakened a little more with each heavy rainfall.  She might have said home equalled spending hours each day fetching water instead of pursuing her dreams. For her, home was a place where survival overshadowed hope – a constant struggle to keep her family safe.

Further down the road, I met Mirriam, a mother of two young daughters. Every day, Mirriam walks miles to fetch water, rolling an oil drum to the nearest water point and then hauling it back home. This backbreaking task consumes three hours of her day – hours she desperately wished she could spend supporting her daughters’ education or working toward a better future.

But here in Mapepe, change is happening. Thanks to Habitat for Humanity and the generosity of supporters, five water pumps have been installed, transforming the lives of families like Mirriam’s and Vitiwe’s. With access to clean water, Mirriam and Vitiwe have reclaimed their time. They’ve each started a small business from stalls outside their home. Mirriam sells cooking supplies and charcoal, whilst Vitiwe sells fruit and vegetables.

By no longer having to spend time and energy collecting water, they’re turning their homes into places of opportunity and hope.

Today, for Mirriam and Vitiwe, home equals so much more. It equals security and dignity. It equals a chance to dream and grow. Their stories remind me of the incredible impact we can make together.

I also had the privilege of meeting Andrew, whose story underscored the vital importance of accessible sanitation. His disabilities meant that not having a proper toilet was more than just an inconvenience – it was a daily struggle. The standard latrines in his community were built close to the ground, making them nearly impossible for him to use. Each visit to the toilet meant discomfort and a loss of dignity.

Thanks to Habitat for Humanity’s work, Andrew now has access to a modified toilet designed to meet his needs. This simple change means he no longer has to endure the discomfort and difficulty of using facilities that weren’t built for him. With clean, accessible sanitation, Andrew can live with the dignity that everyone deserves. Safe sanitation isn’t a luxury; it’s a fundamental human right that protects health, restores dignity, and improves lives.

As I left Mapepe, I couldn’t help but think of the millions still waiting for their chance. But I also felt hope – hope that with every clean water pump, every brick laid, and every empowered family, we are changing what home means for communities around the world.

This Christmas, let’s continue to change the equation. Let’s make home equal opportunity for all. Thank you for being part of this mission.

PS – This Christmas, you can have twice the impact as your donation will be DOUBLED by a generous funding partner. Together, we can create a world where home equals hope, dignity, and the chance to dream. Thank you.