Beyond Borders: Building Homes and Hope in Romania
In July 2025, a team of seven volunteers from Habitat for Humanity Yuba-Sutter traveled to Comănești, Romania, for a week-long Global Village build that would leave a lasting impact, on the homes we helped build and the people who helped build us.
We didn’t just put up walls. We learned histories, worked alongside families, heard stories of survival and strength, and came home with a renewed understanding of why our work matters.
The Journey
We started our travels early on a Thursday morning, meeting at the Marysville ReStore at 4:00a.m. As we packed our bags into the back of the Habitat van, I don’t think any of us fully grasped the scope of the adventure ahead. None of us had been to Europe before, let alone Eastern Europe. Two team members had never even been on a plane. And yet, there we were, about to embark on a 30-hour journey across the world.
Our first flight took us to Toronto, bellies full of coffee and nerves. On paper, thirty hours of travel sounds rough. In real life? It was. Our patience was tested more than once, especially when we landed in Munich and had just 15 minutes to clear customs and sprint to our gate for the final flight to Bucharest.
I don’t think I’ll ever forget the sight of our group running through the Munich airport, me in particular, sprinting in the work boots I didn’t have room for in my suitcase. Rookie mistake. Just when we thought we’d reached the gate, we realized we had to hop on a train to a completely different terminal. Despite the burning shins and some characteristically cold German gate agents, we made it aboard.
Landing in Bucharest was overwhelming in the best and worst ways. The signs were in a language I suddenly regretted not learning. Our U.S. dollars were exchanged for lei, which looked like colorful board game money. And then came the disheartening discovery: all of our bags were still back in Munich. After 30 sleepless hours and an impressively long missing baggage report, we piled into our rental cars, only to realize we had a four-hour drive ahead of us.
That drive was its own kind of adventure. Winding rural roads, unfamiliar signage, and some truly aggressive driving conditions that would make a New York City cab driver break a sweat. Somewhere along the way, we passed a bear and her cub casually strolling along the shoulder of the road. “Definitely not in Kansas anymore,” I remember thinking.
We finally arrived in Brașov late that night, utterly exhausted. I don’t think I’ve ever been so grateful for a mattress and a pillow. Creature comforts matter when you’re far from home, a lesson I’d keep learning throughout the trip.
A Breath of Brașov
The next morning, I woke up at 6 a.m. My colleague Fransisco and I decided to stretch our legs and descend from our mountaintop hotel into the city. “Beautiful” doesn’t quite do it justice. Brașov was still asleep. The streets were shuttered. Not a single soul passed us as we walked nearly three miles through quiet cobblestone lanes, past towering Gothic architecture and centuries-old plazas.
The Black Church, a massive place of worship dating back to the 1300s, might have been the highlight, if it hadn’t been for an even more divine discovery: an open coffee shop. Espresso and fresh mountain air is a revelation. If you ever find yourself sleep-deprived on a Saturday morning in Eastern Europe, I highly recommend it.
After breakfast with the rest of the team, we packed up and made our way to the first cultural stop of the trip: a guided tour of Bran Castle.
I didn’t know what to expect going in, but whatever I expected, it wasn’t this. Bran Castle was less Dracula and more Romanian royal history and architectural splendor. Originally built in the 1300s as a military fortress, the castle later became a royal residence for Queen Marie of Romania. Though widely marketed as “Dracula’s Castle,” there’s no evidence that Vlad the Impaler ever lived there, but the stone staircases, hidden corridors, and looming towers certainly helped fuel the myth.
Still, I couldn’t resist the pull of the gift shop. I settled on a fridge magnet, a fair compromise for both my suitcase and my wallet.
That night, a few of us wandered into a local bar and shared a beer with some locals. When we told them we were there with Habitat for Humanity, their eyes lit up. “Oh, Habitat!” they said, clearly familiar with the name. It was a surreal and humbling moment, realizing that even on the other side of the world, people knew our organization and our mission. The world is small. Borders, foreign languages, cultural differences, all of these so-called barriers begin to lose their meaning at a certain point. People are people, no matter where you go. It’s a simple lesson, but a powerful one nonetheless.
Onward to Moinești
The next day, we made the final four-hour drive to Moinești, our home base for the week of the build. More winding roads. More stunning views. And more moments that reminded us just how far from home we were. “There’s not a single McDonalds on the way?!” I remember our car screaming into the void.
As we pulled up to our hotel, I was once again struck by the breathtaking views. Even smokestacks in the distance couldn’t take away from the wonder. “6,500 miles away from home…” I thought. “I’ve never been that far away.” Deep breaths. Toes in the grass. Gratitude for the opportunity.
And with that, the sightseeing part of the journey was over. It was time to get to work.
A Country of Contrast and Resilience
Our build journey began with a powerful orientation on Romania’s cultural and political history, led by Victor from Habitat Romania. Romania’s recent past is marked by hardship: decades of authoritarian rule, political upheaval, and economic instability. The fall of communism in 1989 was a turning point, but even now, political corruption and poverty continue to shape daily life.
The statistics were sobering, 29% of the population lacks indoor bathrooms, and nationalist extremism is rising. At the same time, traditions remain strong, and communities support one another with quiet strength. In the countryside, horse-drawn carts still roll along dirt roads. It’s a country in transition. The people are resilient, proud, and striving for something better.
Habitat for Humanity Romania:
Founded in 1996, Habitat for Humanity Romania is the furthest east Habitat affiliate in Europe. The Comănești branch, where we worked, is in the process of merging with the national office in Bucharest. Together they support families in desperate need of decent housing, many of whom live in unsafe or overcrowded conditions.
Habitat Romania’s model is familiar in structure: land is donated by municipalities, families contribute sweat equity, and they repay a no-interest loan covering only the cost of materials. But what stood out to us was the deep connection between staff and community, and the passion they bring to serving some of the most vulnerable in their region.
It’s a wild feeling traveling that far across the world and meeting people who are also committed to the same mission: safe and decent housing. We were all struck by how far Habitat’s mission reaches. It’s something that feels easy to understand in its conception, but is awe-inspiring when confronted with its reality.
The Work: A Week on the Build Site
Monday:
We began that Monday with a group breakfast, a tradition we’d continue over the course of the week, and then rode a bus to the build site in a neighborhood the locals affectionately call “Habitat Street”. The house we were helping build was massive, and would become a quadruplex, the second in the neighborhood. Eventually, four deserving families will move into its walls and turn the house into a home.
We met a few of the partner family members there, who would be with us on site all week as they completed their “Sweat Equity” hours. There was Vasilica, a young mother with children seven and three years old. Her husband, a member of the Romanian military, was away on a mission in Bosnia. I don’t have words for how inspiring an experience it was working alongside her all week. Despite all the work, all the heat and the sweat, the sore muscles and the language barriers between us, she approached each day with a smile. It helped us truly ensure that every screw we drilled, every nail we hammered, was put in the right place. Because we’re not just building a home, we’re building her home.
“My favorite memory was the build and being able to work so closely with the Romania Habitat crew. I also loved that Vasilica was there each day with us. They were all so helpful and welcoming of our assistance. I enjoyed and appreciated the experience overall.” – Dalia, Case Manager at Habitat for Humanity Yuba Sutter.
After a brief safety orientation, half our team suddenly found ourselves on the roof of the building, working on the lattice. Have you ever gotten to your destination after days of traveling and then immediately gotten on top of the roof, hammering nails in the hot Romanian sun? Well, we sure have.
The other half of the team worked drilling into the ceramic tiles that awaited the roof. Hours of repetitive work, measuring, drilling, stacking, and then starting all over again. Once they were finished, they moved onto the siding of the house, cutting the walls and drilling them into place. It was hard work. It was painful work. I’ve never felt more fulfilled.
“Having the incredible privilege to work alongside partner families to help build their forever homes has been a powerfully humbling experience that I will always cherish. The profound sense of pride and purpose that I felt, both in myself and in my team of selfless colleagues, has been nothing short of overwhelming. I am sincerely grateful to have been trusted to be a part of something so truly significant.” – Felicya, Executive Administration Assistant at Habitat for Humanity Yuba-Sutter
That night, after perhaps the best shower I’ve ever had in my life, I laid in bed in shock and awe. One day down, five to go. What fresh future awaits us tomorrow?
Tuesday:
As the rest of our team continued their work on the exterior walls, our work on the roof continued. Half my group made their way back onto the roof, while I helped transfer the ceramic roof tiles from the ground to the second floor. Hours upon hours of lifting and handing off tile after tile. It’s like lifting weights for an eight hour shift, with bending and squatting and some organization here and there.
I’ll tell you one thing: Arnold Schwarzenegger was right, The Pump is real. I could feel the muscles in my arms throbbing, my veins bulging through the expanding flesh. I signed up for a gym membership back home that night. “I am going to keep this train moving” I thought.
Halfway through the day it started to rain, hard. We moved onto work inside of the shelter, beginning OSB board installation. The boards needed to be cut and drilled into place, leaving one side of the walls still uncovered for eventual insulation. Andrei, the CEO for the Habitat Comănești affiliate visited us on-site, and gave us a rousing speech on the importance of our work.
Words fail me in describing how supportive and kind he and Victor were to us during the trip. If you ever find yourself with the opportunity, volunteer on a build for Habitat Romania. You will encounter nothing but kindness and grace from their exceptional team.
That night Victor took us out to a local restaurant that was absolutely delicious. I can’t recall the name, but maybe that’s for the best, because some gems deserve to remain hidden. Graciously, they allowed us to stop at a local grocery store for some much-needed supplies. I’ve never been so happy to buy dental floss picks in all of my life. That night we all gathered together outside of our hotel, buzzed by all the excitement of the trip we experienced. Sleep evaded me that night, but that’s okay, I still awoke energized for the next day of work: by hook or by crook, we were finishing that roof.
Wednesday:
This was my favorite day of the entire build, the day we finished the roof. It’s wild to see that much visual progress on a construction site. One by one, we installed the ceramic tiles, almost three stories in the air, the mountain breeze brushing by us as we worked. We each signed our names onto the last tile. Ceremonial, sure, but it felt deeply powerful.
One of the most memorable moments came as we neared the roof’s completion. When a team member accidentally cracked a tile, tension briefly filled the air. But Robert, our Habitat support colleague, simply looked to the sky, smiled, and stepped in to help.
“His calm demeanor and immediate willingness to assist resonated with us on site. Robert’s thoughtful guidance and patient approach not only resolved a small setback but also exemplified the deeper values of our mission. Through his leadership, both seasoned and novice volunteers were inspired to persevere with love, commitment, and a sense of unity.” – Bethany, Administrative Officer at Habitat for Humanity Yuba Sutter
We ended the work day with what may have been the most impactful experience of all, visiting the current living conditions of one of the partner families.
Thursday and Friday:
Thursday brought more work on the siding and interior OSB installation, and by then we were fully locked into the rhythm of the build. The muscle aches had become background noise, replaced by focus and routine. Cut, lift, measure, drill, repeat. As the house began to take shape, so did our understanding of what it meant to help build something lasting, something real. At the end of the day, we were pleased to visit the Habitat for Humanity Comănești office, where the team greeted us like old friends. We received Habitat Romania t-shirts, and though it may sound small, there was something truly moving about putting them on and feeling, if only briefly, like part of their family.
That sense of connection carried us into Friday, our final day on site. There’s always a certain energy to the last day of a big project, a mix of urgency, nostalgia, and adrenaline, and we poured all of it into the remaining siding and OSB work. The moment we drilled in that last board, we stood back and looked at what we’d helped build. Not finish, but build. It was enough to fill us with pride. That afternoon on the build site, the Habitat team threw us a small celebration. Certificates, cake, and a confetti cannon that startled us all but somehow felt like the perfect ending. We clapped, hugged, and laughed too loudly. It had been a hard week, but a beautiful one. And in that moment, there wasn’t a single one of us who wanted to be anywhere else.
“These past two weeks have been absolutely unforgettable.”
“From sprinting through the Munich airport and holding the plane up to exploring the beautiful streets of Iași and Brașov, Romania — every moment was packed with adventure and meaning. Helping build a home with Habitat for Humanity Romania was truly inspiring. The team was incredible — so kind, welcoming, and full of heart.”
“Ireland brought its own magic: the Guinness Factory, breathtaking art, peaceful gardens, and even a stop at the oldest bar in the country. Bonding with everyone was something I knew would happen, but I didn’t imagine how close we would become. I’ll cherish these memories forever — and I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.” – Fransisco, Purpose Place Site Monitor, Habitat for Humanity Yuba-Sutter.
After our week on the build site, we traveled to the city of Iasi, where we had about 7 hours to spend before our flight to Dublin, Ireland. We headed straight to a local tattoo parlor, where members of our team, inspired by our transformational journey, got matching tattoos. A house with a heart, forever commemorating our experience in Romania. For two of us, it was our first tattoo, and I couldn’t be more grateful to share that experience with colleagues I had grown so close to.
Lessons from Ireland: A Broader Perspective
On our way home, we visited the future site of a Habitat ReStore in Dublin, Ireland, where we met with their ReStore Development Manager, Colette. We saw a powerful example of how ReStores can serve as both retail spaces and social safety nets. Programs like the House to Home initiative support people transitioning out of homelessness, and donations of full kitchen sets from corporations provide essential furnishings to families in need.
It was a reminder that the Habitat mission isn’t one-size-fits-all. It adapts to meet local needs, and thrives when supported by strong community and corporate partnerships.
Our day in Dublin was also marked by a trip to the Guinness Storehouse/Brewery, which was an oddly calming experience. I had my first ever true pint of Guinness that morning. “Taste like nothing… I like it!” was my exact review, and I stand by it.
Following the tour, we took a walk through the streets of Dublin and ended up at Dublin Castle, whose architectural beauty was outdone by the breathtaking art housed inside. Each room told a different story, and for the first time on the trip, we were all silent, as we silently shuffled from room to room, taking it all in.
We ended the day with a meal at the Brazen Head, the oldest pub in Ireland, opened in 1198. It’s one thing to read about history, it’s quite another to eat a meal where history happened. It was the perfect cap on our trip abroad, and after a long ten days, we headed back to our hotel for one final night of sleep before heading back to the airport. Two flights ahead of us, and we’d finally be home.
Coming Home Changed
We returned to Yuba-Sutter with sore muscles and full hearts. Our time in Romania reminded us that the need for safe, decent housing knows no borders. It reminded us why we do what we do. We built walls, yes, but more importantly, we built relationships. We built understanding. We built hope.
If you’d like to support families in need, or help send more volunteers on global builds like this one, we invite you to learn more, donate, or get involved at https://yubasutterhabitat.org.
By Miten Soni, Marketing at Habitat for Humanity Yuba Sutter.
