X

Oct. 17/26 — Oct. 24/26

Kabwe, Zambia

Join like-minded volunteers and local community members on a Global Village Build, working together to create positive change by providing families with safe, decent and affordable homes.

Is this build opportunity for me?

  • Destination Pin Kabwe, Zambia
  • Calendar Oct 17 - Oct 24, 2026
  • Home Construction Home Construction
  • Budget $3960 Minimum fundraising target
  • Team Building Team size: 12-35
  • Meaning of Home No building experience required

Global Village is a meaningful short-term international volunteer experience with opportunities around the world. By working closely with Habitat country programs, volunteer groups partner with local communities, building or improving homes as part of Habitat’s vision of a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live. Upon return, Global Village participants become champions for resilient housing and advocates for Habitat’s work.

Why we build in Zambia:

In Zambia, over 70% of the urban population resides in slums. The urban housing deficit is estimated to be more than 1.5 million units and expected to reach over 3.3 million by 2030, according to a report from the Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa. To address this need, HFH Zambia has been partnering with families in 13 communities to help reduce the housing deficit through provision of decent shelter and other basic services.


For more information visit Habitat Zambia's website here.

DAY 1 | Saturday: Arrive at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport

Your adventure begins today with your arrival in Lusaka at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport. We will arrange your transfer to your hotel, where you will have time to unpack and unwind. You will finally get to meet your fellow volunteers, your Team Leader and the Habitat for Humanity coordinator. Overnight stay in Lusaka.

DAY 2 | Sunday: Transportation to Kabwe, welcome & orientation

The day begins with breakfast, welcome orientation and advocacy session to introduce the team to Habitat for Humanity Zambia’s mission and the week’s objectives. The team will then travel to Makululu Community in Kabwe and transferred to the build-week hotel. After lunch, you will visit the community members - the partner families as well as the construction team. Settle in, relax, and gather for dinner as you prepare for the build ahead.

DAY 3 | Monday: Begin construction of the house

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for your first day on the build site. Upon arrival, there will be a site safety orientation led by Habitat for Humanity Zambia staff.
Spend the day working on laying the foundation of the home, taking breaks for tea and snacks mid-morning and sharing lunch with local youth. Return to the hotel by late afternoon to refresh, enjoy dinner and gather for a team reflection session to share the day’s experiences.

DAY 4, 5 & 6 | Tuesday - Thursday: Construction and Social Learning Exchange

Begin each morning with breakfast at the hotel before heading to the build site. The next few days will focus on home construction and strengthening bonds with the community.
Take part in a social learning exchange activity and learn about sports development in Kabwe on Wednesday. Lunch will be shared onsite, offering opportunities for connection with local families. Evenings include time to rest, have dinner, and informal team discussions reflecting on the progress made.

DAY 7 | Friday: Home dedication and farewell celebrations

The closing day is emotional for everyone involved. You will spend the morning on site for the final build activities and a House Dedication Ceremony, celebrating the completion of the home alongside the partner family and community members.
Share a farewell lunch with the community, followed by a farewell dinner in Kabwe to commemorate the week’s accomplishments. Overnight in Kabwe.

DAY 8 | Saturday: Departure Day

After breakfast, check out and travel back to Kenneth Kaunda International airport. For earlier departures, alternative arrangements can be made upon request. Though the trip ends, the memories and impact will inspire your commitment to Habitat’s mission.

Typical Housing Solutions:

HFHZ offers beneficiary families a 9.2x4m housing unit which comes with a ventilated pit latrine to ensure good sanitation. The house is made with 6’’ concrete blocks, steel window and door frames, hard wood door, concrete floor and a corrugated roofing sheet.

Typical Volunteer Tasks:

1. Drawing water
2. Moving blocks from one point to another
3. Laying blocks
4. Mixing mortar (sand, cement and water)
5. Cutting wood and steel, etc.

Through peer-to-peer fundraising, Global Village volunteers contribute a program and build donation that will advance Habitat’s work in communities with the greatest housing needs. Build donations cover volunteer accommodations, meals and ground transportation. Crucially, the program donations also directly support Habitat’s housing programs in the countries.

Once you register for a this Global Village build, you commit to fundraising:

$3960 minimum fundraising target

What's Included

  • Double Occupancy Accommodation
  • All meals for the week
  • Daily transportation to and from site
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off
  • Snacks and water
  • All necessary building materials and safety equipment
  • 24-hour support
  • Insurance whilst on the build site

*What's Not Included

  • Flights to and from Zambia
  • Travel Insurance
  • Visa
  • Vaccinations

Meet Kaitlin Loebach!

Hi there, I’m Kaitlin Loebach, and I’m excited to be returning to Zambia as your team leader for this Habitat for Humanity build. Zambia truly stole my heart from the very first time I travelled there in 2013. I went back again in 2015, and after completing leader training, I led my first build in 2018.

For me, the most meaningful part of these trips is the relationships we build – working side by side with partner families, learning from the skilled local masons, and becoming part of the incredible community that surrounds each home. Every build has changed me in ways I’m grateful for.

I am based in London, Ontario. My husband, Woody – my right-hand guy in all things – joined me on my 2018 build, and together we have two wonderful young children who can’t wait to come along to build one day too.

I am honoured to lead this team and share this experience with you! Here’s to working hard, learning lots, and building something meaningful – brick by brick and heart to heart.