PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (May 22, 2025) – Habitat for Humanity Cambodia organized its largest volunteer event of the year, bringing together over 150 international volunteers from Australia. These volunteers collaborated with 13 families to construct suitable homes in the Prek Pnov District of Phnom Penh, an area where many low-income families reside, including some who were relocated from state-owned land.

“Every family deserves a chance to live and raise their family in a resilient, decent home. We are grateful that our local and international volunteers gave their time and energy in building alongside families in need,” said Phal Vandy, the National Director of Habitat for Humanity Cambodia, at the build’s closing ceremony. “These homes symbolize love, hope and a new beginning with safety and dignity for the new homeowners.”

Among the new homeowners is Loem Chanthon, a mother of five. “This home will keep my children safe and offer protection during the rainy season,” she said. Chanthon said her working alongside the volunteers to construct her home has been meaningful, emphasizing the strong relationships and memories forged throughout the process. “I am grateful for the volunteers’ contributions to improving our home.” She also shared her heartfelt appreciation for Habitat for Humanity and its partners for building her new home.

This initiative enjoyed strong support from the Australian Embassy in Cambodia, Humanity for Humanity Australia, local Cambodian authorities and Grant Thornton, the Australian-based company whose employees joined the build.

H.E Prak Angkeara, General Director of the General Department of Housing, Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction said that the Ministry of Land Management and Habitat for Humanity have been partners in housing for many years. Until now, we have been working closely together to develop the housing sector in Cambodia. And today, I am really excited and happy to see Australian volunteers come to build houses for Cambodian citizens, which is a very meaningful activity for Cambodian families because according to Khmer culture, providing a house is a great blessing for you. I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to all Australian volunteers.

Throughout the week, the volunteers collaborated closely with the families, sharing meals, engaging in cultural exchanges, and playing traditional games. “Grant Thornton has partnered with Habitat for Humanity for the past 10 years. This is our third building project overall and our second time constructing in Cambodia,” said Greg Keith, CEO of Grant Thornton Australia. “At Grant Thornton, our values are represented by the acronym CARE—Collaboration, Authenticity, Responsibility, and Excellence. Habitat for Humanity embodies these same values by caring for the vulnerable, supporting women, and assisting those in need. Therefore, our values are completely aligned.”

Each year, Habitat Cambodia hosts about 1,000 volunteers from across Cambodia and around the world to collaborate in building and repairing houses and construction facilities that improve the places that Cambodian families call home.

Throughout the year, Habitat Cambodia builds, repairs or helps finance the construction of adequate houses. From June 2024 to date alone, Habitat Cambodia has built and renovated more than 100 houses across the country, significantly improving the lives of thousands of Cambodians. The organization supports communities through the development of water, sanitation and hygiene programs and the delivery of community resilience initiatives. It works closely with governments and partner organizations to promote affordable housing and land rights. “Today’s event is a powerful example of how government, private companies, communities, and Habitat for Humanity can come together to create lasting positive change,” said Phal Vandy, National Director of Habitat Cambodia. “We look forward to welcoming even more volunteers in the near future.”