Kirkcaldy woman helps build a better future for people in Malawi

Kerry Marshall (34), who works for Miller Homes in Edinburgh, and 16 of her colleagues will head to Salima, Malawi, on September 17, to take part in a homebuilding project to create new ‘Habitat Homes’ for orphans and vulnerable children.

Habitat for Humanity is the housebuilder’s nominated charity for 2016. Over the course of the year Miller Homes has pledged to raise £100,000 for the charity’s Hope Builders campaign, enough to build over 30 ‘Habitat Homes’ and make a real difference to those living in poverty housing.

Over 60 members of the Miller Homes team put themselves forward for this once in a lifetime opportunity, of which 16 candidates were lucky enough to be selected to go on the Global Village Trip in September.

The trip is being funded entirely by Miller Homes, however each of the volunteers has pledged to raise a minimum of £1000 as part of their contribution toward the target.

Kerry, a customer service administrator who has organised the trip, said: “I am really excited to be part of the team travelling to Malawi.

‘‘I’ve been heavily involved in our campaign to support Habitat for Humanity’s Hope Builder’s campaign throughout this year and have been actively involved in the planning of this trip, so to get the opportunity to go, meet and work with the families that we are building homes for and experience their culture first hand, will be an amazing experience.

“Although I’m very much a make-up and high heels kind of girl I can’t wait to get stuck in and help make a real difference. It’s going to be hard work but extremely rewarding.

“I’ve had fantastic support from friends and family who have all contributed towards my pledge to raise £1000 and even though I’ve reached this target I plan to keep going and raise as much as possible for this brilliant cause.”

Volunteers will witness first-hand how a safe and secure home can benefit many aspects of life for the immediate family and wider community in the village.

The families who will be helped by Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village Trips are selected based on their housing need and income. They will partner the Miller Homes volunteers by participating in the construction of their own home, investing hours of their own labour through a process called ‘sweat equity’.

Manuela Campbell, head of volunteering at Habitat for Humanity GB, said: “We are looking forward to working with the volunteers to restore independence to families and communities in Salima.”