A PAIR of Hampshire women have just returned from India, where they helped to build homes for vulnerable people facing poverty.

Aaron Wright and Stacey Drew are more used to getting homes built across the south, as they both work for local housebuilder Barratt Homes. But this month they flew out to India with Habitat for Humanity as part of an all-women volunteer team and helped to build new homes for people who have been uprooted by the government.

During their time on the subcontinent they witnessed extreme poverty but also the overwhelming sense of community that can thrive in even the most difficult of environments.

"The first day of our build started early with a 45min drive out of New Delhi to a slum in Bawana," says Aaron.

"On arriving, we were surrounded by children wanting to greet us and say 'hello'. The level of poverty was nothing like we had ever experienced. Sewage in the streets, fresh food covered in flies and children with no shoes. The children were so happy as they didn't know any different.

She continues: "We met the two families that we were going to build homes for and set to work clearing the site by shovelling rubble and sorting bricks. It was hard, intensive work in hot temperatures and we were kept company by lots of insects and rats!

"The families helped us with the work and a strong bond was quickly formed."

As well as working on the sites, the pair were involved in some education work.

"We handed out sanitisation leaflets to the children and adults in the community," says Stacey.

"This explained how to wash their hands correctly. One of the biggest killers of children in slums is related to hygiene and disease. This is due to a lack of toilet facilities and an understanding of hygiene."

"We also took part in a women's self help group with women from the community," says Aaron.

"It was an opportunity to ask questions and understand the struggles that they faced in everyday life. The group meet every week to focus on financial, social and political topics. One women told us that by joining the group she had the opportunity to save money and be able to afford her own house. It was very inspiring!"

The pair were in India for International Women's Day.

"We started the morning with a community ceremony organised by representatives of the charity Habitat for Humanity India," says Stacey.

We watched local girls perform a traditional dance and got the opportunity to perform a dance routine for the community. We then watched sketches that focused on educating the women and children on sanitation and open defecation, discouraging child marriage and female infanticide. It was all about empowering women in the community so very fitting for International Women's Day.

"We then got straight back to work building the houses. The temperature was the hottest it had been all week. We made great progress and everyone dug in to ensure that our last day would be a great success."

As well as hitting their building sites, on their last day, the charity took the pair to a house that was build last year by the women's build team.

"The family welcomed us into their home to see the room layout and sanitation facilities," says Aaron.

"The owner was very happy and proud of her home. It was amazing to see what can be achieved and what a difference we can make to people's lives."