Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter volunteers gather outside a housing project in Veles, North Macedonia, where they helped with construction work, including insulation, plastering, priming, waterproofing, tile installation and drywall. Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter

YUBA/SUTTER, CA (MPG) - 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 16 hours of travel that carried our team halfway around the world to North Macedonia.

After a long journey, Bethany Hiatt, Cami Benner, Karl Kiesow, Dom Mitrovic, Joe Hale, Joe Hord, Sam King and I 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 in the heart of Skopje's city center.

Exploring the capital

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

The towering statue known as "Warrior on a Horse," widely recognized as a monument to Alexander the Great, rose from the center of an elaborate fountain just steps from our hotel. Bridges stretched across the Vardar River, connecting the city center with Skopje's historic Old Town. High above the river stood 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 panoramic views of Skopje.

The following morning, we met our smiling volunteer coordinator, Stojan, whose warmth and enthusiasm immediately made us feel welcome. Once again, we squeezed into a small van with our luggage piled around us and headed south to Veles, the community where we would spend the next week building homes.

Members of the Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter team pose at the build site in Veles, North Macedonia, during a June Global Village Build. The local team volunteered alongside Habitat for Humanity Macedonia to help construct safe, affordable homes for families in need. Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter

Nestled among rolling hills along the Vardar River, Veles possesses a quiet beauty all its own. Historic landmarks such as St. Pantelejmon Church and the Saat Kula Clock Tower stand as reminders of the city's long history. Yet behind its picturesque landscape lies a community still recovering 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 of about $594 and living expenses often exceeding $770, affordable housing remains out of reach for many. Programs such as Habitat for Humanity Macedonia's homebuilding initiatives, along with community support and social assistance, play a vital role in helping families build stable futures.

The week of the build

Our first morning on the build site began with another warm welcome from 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 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 quiet wisdom and patient reminders about 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. Joe Hale quickly earned a reputation for cutting insulation with speed and precision, while Joe Hord's craftsmanship transformed rough walls into smooth, finished surfaces. Karl Kiesow embraced the opportunity to learn tile setting from Boban, and Sam King's enthusiasm brought laughter and energy to even the most routine tasks.

Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter volunteers take a break for a selfie while working in Veles, North Macedonia. Eight employees from the Yuba/Sutter affiliate traveled nearly 16 hours to participate in the Global Village Build. Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter

Dom Mitrovic hauled heavy stacks of tile up multiple flights of stairs, while Cami Benner became proficient at maneuvering the ladder and using a power drill to install drywall overhead. Bethany Hiatt tackled the work of priming and waterproofing bathroom after bathroom. I jumped in and out of tasks where I was needed but often found myself behind the camera, documenting the memorable moments.

Midweek, we took a break from construction to experience Veles through a pottery workshop with local artisan Goce Stancev, a reminder that preserving culture, much like building homes, requires patience, dedication and a commitment to future generations. Our final evening in North Macedonia concluded with a farewell dinner at Lazar Winery, where we were joined by Stojan, Kosta and Habitat for Humanity Macedonia Executive Director Zoran Kostov.

During dinner, Kostov expressed his gratitude for our willingness 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.

Kostov 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. It was a reminder that while we had traveled to offer our support, we were also sharing ideas and experiences that could continue creating an impact long after we returned home. Before the evening came to a close, Kostov 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.

As our group prepared to return home, we realized that what we were taking back with us were the souvenirs of a life-changing experience: memories and laughter despite language barriers, lessons learned from skilled craftsmen, bonds formed over meals and hard work, and the reminder that hope has no borders. These, perhaps, are the greatest souvenirs of all.