“The first step onto the construction site was unfamiliar and full of respect.” Nine other Henkel volunteers from Germany and Hungary felt the same way as Leonie Hartmann, Sustainability Communications Manager at Henkel, in September 2024. As part of the ‘Build for a Good Cause’ team in Warsaw, Poland, they traded their usual work routine for hammers, tape and paintbrushes. In collaboration with Habitat for Humanity, a non-governmental organization that supports affordable housing for people from low-income backgrounds worldwide, their task was to transform a house in need of renovation into a welcoming home for refugees from Ukraine. Leonie talks about her experiences and how each day contributed to the transformation of the house and strengthened hope for the future residents.
Working hand in hand: creating a home for refugees
In this story, you will learn:
Day 1: Arrival at the refugee accommodation in Warsaw
“The first day was probably the most exhausting and at the same time the most exciting during the ‘Build for a Good Cause’ trip,” recalls Leonie. “We had no idea what to expect exactly.” Full of energy and equipped with safety shoes and goggles, the team entered the building in Warsaw. But before they could get started, safety came first! Together with the Polish Ceresit team from Henkel, the participants received an introduction to working safely on a construction site – a slightly different briefing than most of them were used to from their everyday work at Henkel. Empowered with the necessary knowledge, the team then set about gaining an overview: What needs to be done? Where is the best place to start? All tasks were collected on a pinboard, prioritized and distributed among the team members. Then it was time to roll up the sleeves and get started! For Leonie, the day began with tearing out the bathtub, shower and tiles in the bathroom – a first step towards making space for something new. After a lunch break, it was time to tackle the doors in the afternoon: Sanding and painting were next on the agenda. “After just a few hours, I knew that I would definitely have sore muscles the next day,” says Leonie. “But the work is worth it when you see how much you can achieve together in such a short time.”
It's a special feeling to know that our effort can make life a little better for others. I also enjoy sharing my experiences about my time in Warsaw with people around me. I’m certain that this trip has had a lasting impact on all of us.
Leonie Hartmann, Sustainability Communications Manager at Henkel
Day 2: Giving the rooms a fresh coat of paint
On the second day of the trip, everything revolved around one central task: painting, painting, painting. Whether it was the kitchen, hallways or living room – every room needed a fresh coat of paint. But before the paint could be applied to the walls, thorough preparation was required: Sockets, skirting boards and light switches were carefully masked off. Thanks to the ten-strong ‘Build for a Good Cause’ team and the energetic support of the Ceresit colleagues, the rooms were painted in just one day – an important milestone that created the foundation for the next steps. Leonie's conclusion after day 2: “The progress was enormous, but our motivation to tackle the upcoming tasks over the next few days and bring about further changes was even greater.”
Day 3: Paving the way for further tasks
After a day full of brushstrokes, cleaning was on the agenda for day 3. Despite careful masking the day before, the occasional splash of paint had found its way onto window frames and skirting boards. As the new flooring and the installation of the new kitchen were next on the schedule, these paint residues had to be removed first. “It sounds like a small task, but it made a visible difference. When there was no more paint residue to be seen, we started building the kitchen,“ adds Leonie. And so, after just three days, the interior of the house had changed significantly.
Day 4: Connecting and exchanging with each other
The fourth day seamlessly built upon the progress of the previous day. Room by room, the house began to take shape: Cabinets were assembled in the kitchen, tiles were painted over in the bathroom, a new floor was laid in the living room, and the terrace and outside staircase were freshly cemented. The results of the day laid a strong foundation for the upcoming final sprint.
In the evening, the participants had the opportunity to get to know the residents of the house. In the garden they cooked together a mix of traditional German, Ukrainian and Polish dishes. “Despite the language barriers, it was an incredibly enjoyable and, above all, delicious cultural exchange – and my personal highlight of the entire trip,” says Leonie. Leonie was particularly touched by one encounter: One of the Ukrainian women, who had barely left her room on the upper floor for months due to her wheelchair, joined the dinner gathering. “It was very moving for me to see how she took part in the shared dinner and enjoyed the get-together. It shows how important such moments of community are,” says Leonie.
Day 5: The finishing touches
On the fifth and final day of the ‘Build for a Good Cause’ trip, the fine-tuning took place: The projects started in the house in Warsaw were gradually completed. The team finished building the kitchen, laid more flooring and installed two new showers after laying the tiles in the bathroom. This marked the end of five intensive, but at the same time enriching and unforgettable days. “I am very proud of how much we achieved as a team in such a short time. It's a special feeling to know that our efforts can make life a little better for others. I also enjoy sharing my experiences in Warsaw with those around me. I’m certain that this trip has had a lasting impact on all of us. We have all become a bit more grateful for what we have – but above all, for the lives we are fortunate to lead,” says Leonie.
Building future together
Since 2012, Henkel and the Fritz Henkel Stiftung have been supporting the NGO Habitat for Humanity, which is active in 70 countries worldwide to create affordable housing. Henkel provides support not only through financial donations and the supply of building materials, but also through employees’ active involvement on site during the so-called ‘Build for a Good Cause’ trips.
Promoting volunteering, strengthening community
Henkel offers various opportunities for its employees to engage in volunteer work through the 'Make an Impact on Tomorrow' (MIT) initiative: whether it is by supporting their own projects, donating products or providing paid leave for up to five days. Additionally, the company organizes various volunteer projects in which employees can participate. These include the Henkel ‘Build for a Good Cause’ trips in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity, the Special Olympics and “Volunteers at Heart”.
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