First Build Reflections

In July 2025, I had the amazing privilege of taking on the Deputy Team Leader role on a Global Village build in Malawi. This was a particularly special experience, as the build represented the culmination of a three-year project alongside one of Habitat for Humanity’s long-term supporters. Chris Endsor, former CEO of Miller Homes, had been on several builds with Miller teams when he saw the challenges that existed locally around sustainable building materials and made a significant gift to help address this problem. His donation enabled Habitat for Humanity Malawi to build a production centre to manufacture soil-stabilised blocks — bricks made of compressed earth that are cost-effective, climate-resilient, have a lower carbon footprint, and create livelihood opportunities for local people. This build provided the opportunity to visit the production centre and to construct Habitat for Humanity homes in the local community using these blocks.

Deputising to Neale Kemp, a Global Village veteran, I felt confident that I had the best mentor possible for my first leadership experience. After a day in Blantyre at the SSB production centre, we headed south to Mulanje, a region devastated by Cyclone Freddy in March 2023. Our build formed part of a reconstruction project in a village where every family had been affected by the terrible storms.

Our hotel was in the foothills of Mount Mulanje, but there was no time for trekking — apart from one morning when heavy rain delayed our start and some of the team managed ten minutes up the mountain before being called back. Every day began early, with breakfast starting before 7 a.m. Our bus journey to the build site took us through local markets and school areas before turning off near the border with Mozambique. At that point, Chris, our driver, took on the challenge of navigating a dirt road that had been completely reshaped by the cyclones. His skill was truly impressive, and once in Mujiwa, the village itself, it was gloves and hard hats on as the building began.

Some days started with a brick chain, transporting blocks that had been delivered overnight. On others, we searched for blocks of the right size using measuring tapes, marking and lining them up, brushing them off, and sliding them into place. We used interlocking blocks, which only require mortar on the first few courses; after that, the rest fit together like Lego until reaching the roof. We worked alongside local artisans, and it was amazing how the universal sign language of “Where is my hammer?” and “Can you help me with this?” proved to be an effective way of communicating on a building site. The artisans were patient with those of us with no experience (i.e. me) and keen to learn from some of the more experienced team members, including engineers, construction specialists, and bricklayers. As a result, we were able to build four houses instead of the planned three — an unexpected joy.

By far the greatest moment of the build was the dedication ceremony, where the completed homes were handed over to the families. They had been on site all week, and their hard work was inspirational. When urged to rest, the families were resistant — as long as we were working, they were working, they told us. On the final day, we finished our work to the unforgettable sound of villagers’ songs and music before taking our seats for the presentations. It was a moving and emotional event, one that truly demonstrated how life-changing a decent home can be. After the team had composed themselves, it was time for more music, and we were invited to join in the dancing, which the team embraced enthusiastically, with varying degrees of skill and coordination.

Being part of a Global Village build highlighted to me the importance of locally led development. Understanding how a community lives, works, and raises children is critical to identifying the most effective solutions and ensuring these are factored into planning and construction. I had the opportunity to spend time with village residents, and even the smallest details were illuminating in building my understanding of their daily lives. What came across most strongly was their incredible resilience — admirable, yet at the same time devastating that people should need to display such resilience because of inadequate housing.

While I have now moved on from my role at Habitat, my Global Village experience has stayed with me, and I hope to lead another build in the future as a volunteer. In the meantime, I can do what Global Village intends: be an advocate for quality housing.

Jemma Chambers, Habitat for Humanity Great Britain, Global Village Team Leader