Gregor began supporting Habitat two years ago when he joined Habitat for Humanity Australia’s City2Surf team. From there, he signed up to become a HopeBuilder (a special group of donors that support us monthly) and supported our Gala dinner. In 2017, he decided to take his support one step further and generously gave his time to volunteer and help a family in Cambodia build a safe and decent home.
Can you tell us a bit about the ways that you have supported Habitat?
I volunteered in Cambodia in April last year, in a village 1 ½-2 hours outside of Phnom Penh for a family of six. It was a great experience meeting and building with like-minded people for the week. We all got along very well, we worked hard and had fun. We also went out each night and saw a part of Cambodia that not many people would ever see.
I have a lot of very generous loyal clients and family members so it made fundraising for the build pretty easy. I think I raised just under $4,000 for my last build. Most of my friends and clients expect something every year. It always amazes me how generous they are.
What does home mean to you?
Home is important because everyone needs a home. It’s your safe environment. Everyone in this world deserves a safe place to live. It was nice to be able to give that to a family that I didn’t know of and didn’t know me.
We had a little ceremony at the beginning of my week in Cambodia, and one at the end once the home was completed. It was quite moving, especially when the wife of the family I was building with spoke because she was really emotional – having a home meant so much to her. I took my 15-year-old daughter with me and she got a lot out of seeing a developing country, working hard for a week and giving back. Having that bonding time with her was another reason for taking her there. She is very keen to do it again and I am too. I would like to put a week away every year to do it.
Gregor and his daughter at the handover ceremony
Why should others support Habitat for Humanity?
I think Habitat for Humanity is a great charity and it’s a good way to see parts of the world that you wouldn’t normally visit. On my trip, I got to experience Cambodian culture and see the way families really live away from commercialised or touristy parts. You gain a deeper understand of the need in the country and feel good at the end of it. It was a like a really fantastic holiday but even better because you’re giving a family a home at the end of it.
Supporters like Gregor are the lifeblood of our organisation. They are a passionate and committed group of individuals, schools and organisations who make our work possible. See below to discover more ways you can support our work.
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