Two leading female figures from Scotland’s home building industry have returned from building a home for a vulnerable family in Mumbai, raising over £10,000 in the process to support charity Habitat for Humanity.

Chief Executive of trade body Homes for Scotland Nicola Barclay and colleague Gill Henry of Cruden Homes (pictured right and left) joined 11 other women on the week-long trip, during which they built a new home for a family of four designed to withstand the monsoon season.  This new shelter will also allow the family’s two young children to study in a safe, dry place.

Nicola said:

“We may still have mud on our boots, brick dust under our nails and aching muscles, but myself and the Women Build team are proud in the knowledge that our efforts have contributed to giving a family a fresh start.

“I was humbled by what I witnessed in Mumbai and the surrounding rural area and can only stress to others considering taking part in future builds just how fulfilling an opportunity it really is.  I am also extremely grateful to all those who contributed so generously to our fundraising page and spurred us on.

“Working in remote hillsides with a tribal community which has to collect water from a well, deliver hand-made bricks to site on the back of bullock carts and share one latrine, really put our support into context.  The children of these families have hopes and dreams beyond primary education and our assistance in providing them a sustainable home will help to realise their ambitions.”

Gill Henry, Head of Business Development at Cruden Homes, said: 

“Like Nicola, I feel extremely privileged to have had the opportunity to meet and work alongside such a fantastic but very isolated community. Sharing in their enthusiasm, hard work and commitment to building a safe and sustainable new home for a valued family who wanted nothing more than to provide a better environment for their boys to study really puts our daily challenges in perspective.

“The sense of community, respect, hard work and support that we experienced is something I will treasure forever and I would encourage anyone who is thinking about taking part in a build to get out there and do it. It is an experience of a lifetime.”