My International Trip to Zambia 2013 & 2015 by Kaitlin Loebach
Dear Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario,
My name is Kaitlin Loebach and I am from London, Ontario. I am honoured to be able to share with you my story and journey of the builds that I have done so far with Habitat for Humanity Global Village. To share just a little bit about my background I was born in Taegu, South Korea and adopted when I was 4 months old. I feel quite blessed, privileged, and thankful to have my parents, Michael and Pat, as my inspirations for not only the builds I have done but also in everything I have done or will do with my life. As well as my two older sisters, Mia and Alanna, who are not only second moms and mentors to me but also my best friends.
Traveling and seeing our world is probably my most favourite thing to do beyond spending time with family and friends. As an adoptee I have always had the desire to go out, meet new people from all walks of life, and help those in need. A strong passion of mine is to be active, get my hands dirty, immerse myself in culture, and work hard with others. This is where I found Habitat for Humanity.
It was October 2013. There were feelings of excitement and joy for this new experience and adventure I was about to embark on. My first build to Zambia was led by Andrew Knight. It was a team of 12 Canadians ranging in age from 23-70. Most were on their first build but there were a few experienced builders to guide us along the way. The team was well balanced and throughout our time on the build, our motto was ‘work hard, play hard.’ As much as we were there to build a home with the help of the family and local masons hired, a special part of the build was the time spent with the community and its people. This is a very important aspect of the build for me. It’s the time where we can connect, human to human, and learn from each other.
I believe travel always impacts on a person and broadens their views and outlook on life. Seeing new things, experiencing new cultures, tastes, and people, changes you and enhances the way you see the world. What was so incredible to me was how in such a short period of time I felt I walked away a changed person. I never really knew if I believed in love at first sight until I met the Zambian people. With no words even spoken I could see the most genuine eyes, beautiful smiles and kind pure hearts. The beauty and simplicity of human connection is truly incredible.
May of 2015 I went back to Zambia for my second build with Andrew Knight. This time the team of 12 members from across Canada included one of the most special people to me, my mother. Two more homes were built for two families in the community of Kamanga which is within the city of Lusaka, Zambia. We had the opportunity to go back to the community of Linda (my first build) and see the homes I built and visit the family. I felt like my Habitat experience had come full circle. To bring my mother back to this special place of mine was a moment in time spent with her I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Habitat for Humanity is special to me because it connects people from all different walks of life. Working together with one another to produce something whether it is a home, a meal, a garden, is quite special. It allows the different races, languages, upbringings, and views on life to be put aside truly allowing a space for people to come together as one.
It is a privilege to travel abroad and help globally but it is just as important and special to do volunteer work locally. This brings me to the belief of one love and how I see our world and its people. If we were to look at our world from outer space we would see no lines or borders. And my hope is that eventually these lines will fade and disappear so that we can truly live with one love and one world.
Thank you for taking the time to read a little bit about me and my experience with Habitat for Humanity. If you would like to chat more I would love to hear from you. Please connect with me through email: Kaitlinloebach@hotmail.com.
