Building a house, making a world of difference: Rens and Mike on their journey to South Africa

Embera has been partnering for several years with the HomePlan Foundation, an organization focused on improving housing in developing countries. "We want to do more than just our daily work on real estate projects. We want to make an impact on others as well," says Rens. Every year, Embera project managers volunteer for a HomePlan building trip.

More than cement and bricks: building a future

One day in late November, Rens and Mike stepped out of the van that brought them to Wasbank and into a completely different world. Before they had even properly unpacked their bags, they were already shoveling mortar for the contractor. "We immediately saw what we could contribute there," says Rens. "The family we were building the house for lived in a corrugated iron shack of eight square meters. Without running water, electricity, or privacy."

The work was physically demanding, but the greatest impact on Mike and Rens themselves came from the human interactions. Rens and Mike played with the local children, ate with the families, and learned their stories. Looking back, Rens and Mike describe it as both heartwarming and heartbreaking. "When you're playing with those children, they laugh constantly. At the same time, you see that they wear the same clothes every day, full of holes."

The emotional impact

"What made the biggest impression on me was a visit to an orphanage with sixty children," says Mike. "I saw a little boy who was exactly the same age as my daughter, with no parents, born with HIV. That broke me, because it's such a massive problem: eighty percent of the children in that orphanage are HIV-positive."

Rens adds: "You realize how privileged you are. In the Netherlands, we worry about small things, while people there fight for their basic needs every single day. Our visit has made me much more grateful."

A new beginning for the family

Between work shifts, Rens and Mike also visited other HomePlan projects, such as a computer school. "What touched me was the willpower of the people there," says Rens. "Getting a diploma doesn't just mean a better future for themselves, but also for their family and community. One family member can support the entire family by working. That is what they are striving for."

The house that Mike and Rens helped build represents a new beginning for the family. "They now have a brick house, a door with a lock—so privacy—a good water storage system, and a sturdy roof over their heads," says Mike. "That makes a world of difference to them. A good home is the foundation upon which they can build their future. After our trip, we celebrated with the local community. By the time we were back home, the local contractor had finished the construction and the house was handed over. The photos of the family standing overjoyed by their new home moved me, because I had seen there what it means," says Mike.

Becoming less materialistic

It was the first time Rens and Mike had done this kind of volunteer work. The trip to South Africa changed them both. "I have become less materialistic," says Rens. "The people there have so little that it suddenly makes your own 'luxury problems' seem very small." That realization eventually led Mike to give away almost all of his clothes to the local community.

"We hope our contribution is the start of more stability for this family," says Rens. Mike is almost certain he will return soon, or commit to another project. "This trip has changed my perspective forever. I wish for everyone to experience something like this." Rens: "It would be wonderful if we could go back in ten years to see how the family is doing."