For eight employees from Habitat for Humanity Yuba-Sutter, the journey to build safe, sustainable housing for families in need began long before the first power drill was lifted. It started with a shared purpose, a spirit of service, and nearly sixteen hours of travel that carried our team halfway around the world to North Macedonia.

After a long journey, Bethany, Cami, Karl, Dom, two Joes and two Sams arrived in Skopje on a cool, refreshing morning. Though weary from travel, our excitement far outweighed our exhaustion. We loaded ourselves—and an impressive mountain of luggage—into a tightly packed van and made our way to our first hotel, tucked into the heart of Skopje’s vibrant City Center.

Exploring the Capitol

Our first day was intentionally set aside to recover from the long trip and immerse ourselves in the culture Macedonia’s capitol. Almost immediately, Skopje revealed itself as a place where history and modernity coexist in remarkable ways. Grand statues stood proudly on street corners, plazas, and along wide boulevards, each telling a story of a nation’s complicated past.

The most breathtaking of them all was the towering statue known as Warrior on a Horse—widely recognized as a monument of Alexander the Great. Rising from the center of an elaborate fountain just steps from our hotel, the monument commanded attention. Although only fifteen years old, it blended seamlessly into the city’s centuries-old European character, with only its dazzling evening light display hinting at its modern origins.

Bridges stretched gracefully across the Vardar River, connecting the bustling city center with Skopje’s historic Old Town. High above the river stood the stoic Skopje Fortress, whose stone walls have watched over the city since the sixth century. After a steady hike to the top, we were rewarded with sweeping panoramic views of Skopje, where rooftops, church spires, and mountain horizons came together in every direction.

Descending into the Old Town, we wandered through the winding streets of the Old Bazaar—a lively maze filled with colorful storefronts, welcoming cafés, fragrant Turkish candy shops, and artisan markets. Every turn offered another glimpse into the city’s vibrant culture, inviting us to slow down and simply take it all in.

The following morning, our journey continued as we met our smiley Volunteer Coordinator, Stojan, whose warmth and enthusiasm immediately made us feel welcome. Once again, we squeezed into a small van with our luggage piled over us and headed south to the city of Veles—the community where we would spend the next week building homes.

Nestled among rolling hills along the Vardar River, Veles possesses a quiet beauty all its own. Historic landmarks such as the St. Pantelejmon Church and the iconic Saat Kula Clock Tower stand as reminders of the city’s long and resilient history. Yet behind its picturesque landscape lies a community that continues to recover from the economic hardships following the collapse of Yugoslavia’s industrial economy in the 1990s.

Today, many families in Veles face significant financial challenges. With average monthly take-home wages around $594 and living expenses often exceeding $770, affordable housing remains out of reach for many. Programs like Habitat for Humanity Macedonia’s homebuilding initiatives, along with community support and social assistance, play a vital role in helping hardworking families build stable futures.

The Week of the Build

Our first morning on the build site began with another warm welcome from our Volunteer Coordinator, Stojan, who introduced us to Habitat for Humanity Macedonia’s work and the housing challenges facing many families across the country. It was a powerful reminder that the homes we were helping build represented far more than walls and roofs—they represented dignity, stability, and hope.

After orientation, we divided into teams and got to work installing ceiling insulation, plastering hallways, priming bathroom walls, waterproofing floors, laying tile, and installing drywall. Throughout the week, Habitat Macedonia’s exceptional crew—Tomas, Darko, Matej, and Boban—patiently shared their expertise, making every unfamiliar task an opportunity to learn. Kosta, the Deputy Managing Director for Finerti, offered his quiet wisdom and patient reminders of safety.

Although the partner families had not yet been selected, every board cut, wall finished, and ceiling insulated carried a shared sense of purpose, knowing our work would soon provide a safe place for those families to call home.

As the days passed, teamwork became the defining theme of the experience. We moved seamlessly from one project to the next, stepping in wherever an extra set of hands was needed. Joe Hale quickly earned a reputation for expertly cutting insulation with speed and precision, while Joe Hord’s craftsmanship transformed rough walls into smooth, finished surfaces. Karl embraced the opportunity to learn the art of tile setting from tile expert, Boban, and Sam K.’s infectious enthusiasm brought laughter and energy to even the most routine tasks.

Dom hauled heavy stacks of tile up multiple flights of stairs with effortless determination, while Cami quickly became a pro at maneuvering the ladder and power-drilling drywall overhead. Bethany tackled the work of priming and waterproofing bathroom after bathroom with unwavering persistence. I jumped in and out of tasks where I was needed, but often found myself behind the camera, documenting all the memorable moments.

Midweek, we took a break from construction to experience the culture of Veles through a pottery workshop with local artisan Goce Stancev. It was a meaningful reminder that preserving culture, much like building homes, requires patience, dedication, and a commitment to future generations.

Our final evening in Macedonia concluded with a farewell dinner at Lazar Winery, where we were joined by Stojan, Kosta, and Habitat for Humanity Macedonia’s Executive Director, Zoran Kostov.

During dinner, Zoran expressed his heartfelt gratitude for our willingness to travel halfway around the world to serve alongside their team. He shared the housing challenges many Macedonian families continue to face and spoke about Habitat Macedonia’s microfinance program, which helps homeowners make critical repairs, improve building facades, and increase energy efficiency—small investments that make a tremendous difference in the quality of everyday life.

Zoran also spoke with admiration about Habitat for Humanity Yuba-Sutter’s Supportive Outreach Services, sharing his hope that Habitat Macedonia might one day develop a similar program to better serve families in their own communities. It was a meaningful reminder that while we had traveled to offer our support, we were also sharing ideas, experiences, and innovations that could continue creating impact long after we returned home.

Before the evening came to a close, Zoran presented our CEO, Joe Hale, with a commemorative plaque, and each member of the Habitat for Humanity Yuba-Sutter team received a certificate of appreciation. It was a generous gesture that symbolized not only the work we had accomplished together, but the friendships and partnerships formed throughout the week.

As our group prepared for our return to our own small corner of the world, we realized what we are taking back with us were the souvenirs of a life-changing experience. We were taking with us the memories and laughter despite language barriers, the lessons learned from skilled craftsmen, the bonds formed over meals and hard work, and the reminder that hope has no borders—will remain with us long after the final brick is laid.

These, perhaps, are the greatest souvenirs of all.