A Place to Call Home: Global Village Volunteers Build Alongside a Family in Kenya
Volunteers from Greater Rochester Habitat for Humanity partner with a local family during a Global Village build in Laikipia, Kenya.
From 19 – 23 January 2026, volunteers from Habitat for Humanity Greater Rochester, USA, joined Habitat for Humanity Kenya to build alongside Joyce’s family in Nanyuki, Laikipia County as they transitioned to a safe and decent home.
For years, Joyce had lived in a semi-permanent house made of mud and old corrugated iron sheets that leaked with every rain, leaving her family exposed to harsh conditions.
That difficult reality would finally give way to new hope, as her compound became a space of shared purpose — this visit marking the second year the Rochester team has travelled to Kenya as part of the organisation’s Global Village programme.
Hands on deck
Construction began immediately with the team casting the floor slab on the first day. The following day, Joyce laid the first brick of her home as the walls gradually began to rise. Side by…
side, the family and the volunteers worked together on tasks such as mixing mortar, carrying materials, and sharing moments of laughter amidst the tasks
“I never thought this day would come,” Joyce shared. “As the year 2025 ended, I could not have imagined beginning 2026 on such a high note. Now I am a homeowner, and my family has a decent place to call home.”
Joyce lives with her two daughters and grandchildren and often takes on casual jobs within the community to support her family.
For many volunteers, the experience was equally transformative. “Partnering with Joyce and her family has reminded me of the beauty of community. I was impressed by what we were able to accomplish, especially since most of us have no construction skills,” said Karen.