Volunteer Travis Titus

Habitat for Humanity is an organization I have wanted to get involved with for many years and what’s a better way to start than in Malawi?  I grew up in Colorado and went up to the Pacific Northwest for college and met my wife Victoria on the rowing team.  We then moved to Boulder where I studied Mechanical Engineering and have been working as a design engineer for the last few years in Minneapolis.

When I get home from work I look to do just about anything that doesn’t involve looking at a computer screen and most often head out for a run or bike ride.   I also enjoy woodworking and metal fabrication and while most projects will never end up in the Smithsonian but they do make for fun yard art.

Looking forward to a great trip in Africa!

Volunteer Victoria Pane

I grew up in a small town (there aren’t really any big towns) in Vermont and was fortunate enough to have parents that encouraged me to spread my wings and travel. I spent my college years in Tacoma, Washington enjoying the beautiful Pacific Northwest where I met my husband Travis. We were on the crew team together and I followed him to Colorado after graduation.  While he was in school I worked at a non-profit leading cooking and nutrition education classes for low-income families. We then switched roles with Travis working and following me to school in Minneapolis.  After a lovely two year stint in the mid-West, we are now departing Minneapolis to return to the mountains of Colorado with an exciting detour in Africa! I am excited for the opportunity to travel, enjoy a new place with new people, and get my hands dirty. I’ve done several other building projects like this, though it has been years, but I know this one will be unique.

Volunteer, Nathallie Brouchad

Bonjour, my name is Nathalie. I am a French Canadian from Montreal, Canada.  Although I love my country I have chosen a profession (in the mining industry) that brings me to work in various countries where I often get to stay for many months and learn about the people and their culture. I was recently assigned to a project in Mongolia and had the opportunity to discover that wonderful country and it’s most remote locations such as the Altai and the Gobi desert.

I am a mother of two young adults that I love and that make me a very proud mom. This project in Malawi will be my first Global Village experience. I have always been actively involved in volunteering in my community, and I had in my mind to extend my volunteering experience at the international level for the longest time.  I am a very enthusiastic and motivated person and I like having fun in all the projects I undertake. I am looking forward to start our Journey in Malawi and get to know this part of the world that is all new to me.

Mother/Son Volunteers, Colton & Renatta

Hi! I’m really excited for this trip! I’m a senior at Newport High School in Bellevue WA. I play 7 instruments (guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, harmonica, bass, and piano). I love hiking, mountain biking, and pretty much anything active. My mom has already been on a Habitat for Humanity trip to Vietnam. I am excited for this trip because I love traveling and meeting new people around the world. I speak Spanish fluently and went to Costa Rica in 8^th grade. Most of my time is used studying, playing music, or hanging with friends.

Hi everyone, my name is  Renata and I am from Seattle WA. This will be my first time to Africa, but not my first Habitat trip.  Last year I took my 17 year old daughter on a build to Vietnam.   We had such an amazing time.  The people we met along the way as well as our group we’re nothing short of almost perfect.  Obviously being able to experience that kind of trip with my daughter was priceless.  Clearly a bond is made stronger after an experience like that!

So, now that my girl is off to her first year of College and I am having a bit of “empty nest syndrome.”

I can’t think of anything better than going on a build with my 17 year old son and seeing new things from his eyes.  Some I might not want to know about…..  I’m lucky to have the ability to share these kind or experiences with my kids.

Looking forward to meeting you all!

Volunteer Joanne Rein

Hi!  My name is Joanne and I currently live in the Tampa, Florida area with my husband of twenty two years.  We have two wonderful sons, one a freshman in college and one a senior.  I feel so fortunate to be part of this trip and cannot wait to be wheels up!  This will be my first Global Village build, but I have dreamed of being part of one for as long as I can remember.  I have a degree in Child Psychology but took a diversion many years ago and am currently a Sales Manager for a School Supply company.  I try to live by the “life is too short” motto and am always looking for the next adventure.  Sometimes this is a big trip and sometimes it is just a search for a great item at a garage sale.  Whatever it is, I try to enjoy it to its fullest.  My main hobbies are family, giving back, traveling and photography.  I can’t wait to be doing several of these with all of you in Malawi!  See you in November.