At 79 years of age, Betty Marshall from the United States believes in the power of housing to transform lives. “Everyone should be able to live in decent, affordable housing,” she says. “This gives a family stability, and this security helps children to gain a better education.”

While many in the U.S. still live in substandard homes or face homelessness, Betty recognizes that the challenge transcends borders. She chose to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity because she believes the organization helps those who need an extra boost to gain stability in their lives and allows her to travel with a purpose.

Over the years, Betty has participated in 10 international builds and 10 builds in her own country. Her experiences in Fiji stand out vividly. “The people of Fiji are the friendliest I have ever met.” she recalls. “The greetings when we got off the plane were overwhelming, and nothing can top the love shown by the folks in the village.”

For Betty, the most valuable skill gained wasn’t in carpentry or construction but the cultural experience itself. “Perhaps the skill most improved had nothing to do with building. It was definitely experiencing a culture very different from my own and feeling comfortable in relating to the wonderful folks in the village.”

Through her work with Habitat, Betty has not only helped build homes but also strengthened communities and bridged cultures, showing that volunteering with Habitat is about more than building walls; it’s about building connections, hope, and understanding.