In June, Habitat Vietnam welcomed a team of dedicated volunteer from Canada to Quế Sơn, Đà Nẵng, where they spent seven days helping build a safe, resilient home for Ms. Hồ Thị Hiền and her two children. The build brought together volunteers from different backgrounds, united by a shared belief that everyone deserves a decent place to live.
Canada Volunteer Team building the house, brick by brick.
While the team worked through the summer heat, the most meaningful part of the experience wasn’t learning how to lay bricks or mix mortar – it was getting to know the family behind the home.
Jacqueline, member of Canada volunteer team joining the build
As our volunteer Jacqueline Victor (Jackie) reflected:
“The mother (Ms. Hồ Thị Hiền) is so kind and so sweet. When we first met her, she had tears, and it touched all of our hearts. The children are so sweet. They come every day to visit us, and even though we don’t speak the same language, we’ve had a chance to connect.”
For the volunteers, watching walls form gradually where there had once been none was incredibly rewarding. But seeing the family’s gratitude, resilience, and hope for the future gave every task a deeper purpose. The new home represents more than safety from rain and storms – it offers a stronger foundation for Ms. Hiền’s family and new opportunities for her children to learn, grow, and thrive.
Volunteers admiring the paintings drawn by Ms. Hien’s children.
Before they left, the team wrote messages and blessings on a floor tile, leaving behind a small but lasting reminder of the friendship and care shared throughout the build.
Upon hearing about the upcoming Special Build 2026, Jacqueline has a simple message for future volunteers:
“Don’t hesitate to come. It’s been a wonderful experience. It’s been heartwarming, and it’s been an adventure that I hope to do again. It will fulfill you.”
We would like to send a big thank you to Habitat Canada and every volunteer who helped turn this dream into reality.
And this is only the beginning. In August 2026, we will welcome more than 100 volunteers from around the world to join Special Build 2026, Habitat Vietnam’s largest international volunteer build yet. Follow our journey and stay tuned for more stories of hope, partnership, and impact at www.habitatvietnam.org.vn.
