Henkel Volunteers Bring Hope To Life: One Wall, One Nail, One Family At A Time

For years, Anna’s family had been living in a deteriorating, overcrowded two-bedroom structure made of corrugated iron, cold in winter, prone to flooding, and far too small for three generations under one roof. “We sleep on top of each other in this house. It is only two bedrooms for 14 people,” Anna shared. Despite years of seeking a more secure home, the family’s needs remained unmet, until this opportunity brought new hope.

Partnering with Habitat for Humanity South Africa on the Welcome Home project for the second time, Henkel volunteers took on a variety of tasks with purpose and care. From excavating the foundation and helping to pour the concrete of the building, the team worked under expert supervision while learning new skills and adjusting to the physical demands of the build. Across both days, the atmosphere was one of strong determination and mutual support, as the group steadily made progress on the home’s construction.

“There’s a moment, when you’re standing in the middle of it all, dust on your face, cement on your boots, and you realise: this is what our impact looks like,” said Stefano Boselli, Head of Consumers and Craftsmen Adhesives at Henkel South Africa. “It’s not a report or a metric. It’s the beginning of something real for a family who’s waited far too long for a safe space to call their own. I am proud of the team who makes it happen.”

What struck many of the volunteers was not only the significance of the build, but the sense of connection it created among colleagues, with the family, and with the surrounding community. For some, it was their first time engaging in hands-on community work of this nature; for others, it was a continuation of a personal commitment to upliftment. Regardless of background, every participant left the site with a renewed sense of purpose.

“We often talk about purpose in the corporate world,” Boselli added. “But days like this remind us that purpose isn’t just a statement on a wall, I t’s something we act out, leading by example. That’s what I saw in our team: people showing up with humility and heart, willing to do the hard work to make a difference.”

Although the house is still under construction, the groundwork – both literal and symbolic – has been firmly laid. Each task completed by the volunteers was a small but vital step toward a new beginning for Anna and her family. More than just bricks and mortar, the project has already begun to restore dignity.

www.henkel.com.