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Volunteer Abroad

Charity work abroad - in Asia, Africa, Latin America, & Europe

International volunteering opportunities

Welcome to Global Village, our short-term overseas volunteering programme. Our opportunities to volunteer abroad are nothing short of life-changing experiences. You will have a unique chance to directly contribute to Habitat for Humanity’s work on the ground. If you are looking to challenge yourself, you've come to the right place. We have an expert team of builders and volunteer coordinators who will help you make it all possible - from fundraising to laying bricks.

Upcoming volunteer trips

caution women at work

Volunteer in Honduras Women Build

(This trip is now FULL)
Join our Women Build in Siguatepeque, Honduras where a diverse group of women will build houses for vulnerable families to honour the memory of Berta Cáceres.

Women Build

A team of women will build in Honduras for our annual Women Build. This will be an incredible opportunity to join women from all walks of life, to build a world where everyone has a safe place to call home.

Women Build engages volunteers abroad and future community leaders to address economic challenges that women face because they lack opportunity, training or education.

Women from all walks of life advocate for affordable housing and safer, stronger communities, particularly in areas where women are at risk for physical harm while performing daily chores.

Cambodia GV team

Volunteer in Cambodia

1 - 9 February 2020
Start your year right by building homes for families in need of a decent place to live in Battambang, Cambodia.

Home Construction

Join a group of like-minded volunteers in Cambodia, to help break the cycle of poverty in Cambodia by constructing decent and affordable homes.

As you integrate with the communities of Battambang you will learn more about the increasing informal settlement issues as you help to build safe and secure housing.

Volunteers in el salvador

Volunteer in Paraguay Women Build

16 - 24 May 2020
Build with an empowering team of female volunteers for this incredible Women Build in South America.

Women Build

A team of women will build in Honduras for our annual Women Build. This will be an incredible opportunity to join women from all walks of life, to build a world where everyone has a safe place to call home.

Women Build engages volunteers abroad and future community leaders to address economic challenges that women face because they lack opportunity, training or education.

Women from all walks of life advocate for affordable housing and safer, stronger communities, particularly in areas where women are at risk for physical harm while performing daily chores.

Volunteer in South Africa

25 July - 2 August 2020
Begin your summer at the southernmost tip of the African continent building homes in the rural community of Umgababa.

Home Construction

Help build new homes with the support of local community leaders and the families who need them.

Typical activities include:

  • Mixing sand and cement
  • Moving materials
  • Building concrete slabs
  • Building walls of toilets and homes

Both households and schools in slum areas suffer from lack of adequate sanitation facilities. There are no water points within acceptable distances for families who live in poverty. When water is obtained from individual sellers, the costs are very often 10-20 times higher than water bills paid for directly metered by municipal water supply sources.

Vulnerable Populations

We help families in break the cycle of poverty in Ethiopia by constructing decent and affordable homes through the “Vulnerable Groups Housing Program”. The maximum monthly household income of the target beneficiaries is $50 or less.

Through the construction of safe, secure homes this project strives to improve the living conditions for vulnerable families.

rebuilding-nepal-earthquake-disaster

Volunteer in Nepal

19 - 27 September 2020
Build homes in Nepal, where ancient history, cultural diversity, and a strong sense of community come together in one place.

Disaster Resilient Homes

Help build new disaster resilient homes with the support of local community leaders and the families who need them.

Typical activities include:

  • Mixing and pouring concrete for foundations, roofs, and floors
  • Bricklaying
  • Flooring
  • Plastering
  • Painting
The sense of community, respect, hard work and support that we experienced is something I will treasure forever. It is an experience of a lifetime.Gill, India
The feeling of pure joy and happiness knowing you have changed people’s lives just by giving up 10 days of your life is indescribable… You wanted to be the difference, to make a change, to light up someone’s life.Georgina, Cambodia
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
It expands your heart to realise that we all share the need for a home and to make a home for others.Manuela, India

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.

Cold feet vs itchy feet?

From “I’m not a manual person” to “I can’t possibly build a house”, the most beautiful thing for us is seeing volunteers suddenly realise that they are capable of so much more than what they think.

Believe us, you can do anything you set your mind to. Jimmy Carter, the 93 year old former US president, has been building with us nearly every year for the past 40 years.

How it works

1

Contact a team leader - ask any questions you may have and he/she 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

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 Africa, Latin America or anywhere else, every short-term volunteer trip includes a donation which helps us pay for local workers to build homes all year round. 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.

FAQs housing poverty

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

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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Addlehsaw trainees in Romania

Student volunteering

Volunteer with your school, college, or university and gain invaluable experience. Learn valuable skills that will not only look great on your CV, but will also help us reach our vision of safe housing for all.
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Do you have a question?

  • Wondering how to get started or how volunteering abroad works?
  • Thinking about joining a short-term volunteer trip?

 

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.

Contact us at hello@habitatforhumanity.org.uk

Join a community of Habitat volunteers around the world!