Programme updates

 

Some of the Aviva building team at work
on the construction site.

Volunteers from Aviva Romania and Europe regional office teamed up to build a home for a needy Romanian family earlier this month.

The "builders" took three days, from 11-13 September, to construct the house in Cumpana, Constanta. The 15-strong Romanian team included staff from all departments, and was joined by nine regional office colleagues.

They worked with the Habitat for Humanity charity and quickly became adept with the hammer and trowel. The more experienced Habitat volunteers even managed to turn a few people accustomed only to the computer keyboard into true masters of masonry.

By the end of the three days the house was ready for wiring and decorating, then the Iosip family could move into their new home. The family had been made homeless and the father, Sandel, and daughter, Alina, both have a serious lung condition.

The volunteer teams found the work very rewarding. "It was great to see ‘One Aviva' working in practice," said Jerry Brennan, business analyst, regional office. "The work was hard but enjoyable. It was good to work with local people and especially to meet the family who were in desperate need of such accommodation. A wonderful initiative."

"It was mentally and emotionally a very rewarding experience - absolutely awesome in every way! Despite the many bruises, aches and scrapes, we returned with an incredible sense of accomplishment and team spirit that had us asking: when can we do this again?" said Astrid Neumaier, project manager, regional office.

Corina Licea, HR director, Aviva Romania, added: "It's important for Aviva to have partners such as Habitat for Humanity. These projects are done for those who most need our assistance and allow our employees to actively contribute to our company's purpose and values. Working with Habitat and the Iosip family gave us significant fulfilment and helped us reach our most important objective of ‘prosperity and peace of mind'. Moreover, it was great to see our colleagues from the UK sharing the same interests in corporate social responsibility projects and in assisting the local communities in need."

This is the second year that volunteers from Aviva have been involved in the Habitat for Humanity programme.