4 December 2024

Hayley’s providing a helping hand

Hayley Campbell, First Year Apprentice – Electrician, at our Daunia mine has recently returned from volunteering for Habitat for Humanity in Nepal.

In the eastern province of Nepal, renowned for Mount Everest, many families live in inadequate housing, lacking the security and comfort of proper shelter. Habitat for Humanity addresses these needs by building durable homes using sustainable, locally sourced materials, enhancing disaster resilience and promoting sustainability. Volunteers like Hayley are integral to this mission.

We caught up with Hayley on her return from Nepal to find out more about what she’s described as a life changing adventure.

How long have you been working at Daunia?
Since January 2022. I started as a Trades Assistant in Infrastructure and moved on to start my apprenticeship in January 2024.

What inspired or influenced your decision to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity Australia in Nepal?
I follow two Electrician girlies on social media, and last year, they volunteered in Cambodia, which I thought was amazing. This year, one of them was volunteering in Nepal and shared their experience online. I reached out to ask if you needed any specific skills to participate, and she told me you didn’t. Since I’m fortunate enough to work an even-time roster, it made perfect sense for me to volunteer and donate my time too. This flexibility is one of the great benefits of working at Whitehaven.

How did you fund your trip?
I covered the cost of my flights and accommodation myself and raised $2,300 through fundraising, with generous contributions from some of the Daunia team. I’m incredibly grateful for their support.

Can you share a particularly memorable moment from your week in Nepal?
One memorable moment was when we were on our last day of the build. We had a goodbye ceremony where we cut the ribbon on one of the houses that was made, we were showered with gifts and they put on a show with music and dancing. The community was so beautiful and grateful that we were there. They are such lovely people.

How did the experience of living and working in such a different environment change your perspective on life back in Australia?
The experience really opened my eyes to how fortunate we are in Australia. We have access to clean running water, something we often take for granted, and the freedom to shape our own futures. Here, we can wake up every day knowing we have opportunities to pursue education, careers, and dreams. In contrast, the community we were helping faces significant challenges—children only attend school until grade 5, and many girls are married off between 16 and 18, with boys not far behind. This experience has made me deeply appreciative of the choices and opportunities we have and has inspired me to value them even more.

What challenges did you face during the project?
The tropical weather, combined with the physical nature of the work—shoveling dirt to fill house foundations, hauling loads with wheelbarrows, and moving dirt by bucket—made it a real workout and quite challenging at times.

How do you hope the homes you helped build will impact the families and the broader community in Nepal?
I hope the homes we helped build will have the same positive impact as those we saw in the community that Habitat completed a year ago. That community was vibrant, clean, and felt truly homely—a testament to how much these houses can transform lives. The families there were so grateful and welcomed us with incredible generosity, showering us with gifts, music, and dancing. I hope the families in this new community will also feel a sense of stability and pride, and that the houses will become a foundation for growth, opportunity, and a stronger, more connected community.

Would you recommend the experience?
Absolutely, I’d recommend this experience to anyone! It’s an amazing way to blend a meaningful purpose with a unique holiday. Whether you bring family, friends, or workmates, it’s a chance to bond, give back, and make lasting memories while contributing to something truly impactful.

What’s next for you – are you contemplating any more volunteering?
I’ve been in talks with Habitat to donate my time here in Australia, and I’d absolutely love to do another overseas trip. They have so many incredible locations where they host build weeks. However, with my second year of TAFE coming up and it being a big year for my apprenticeship, I’ll have to see how everything fits into my schedule!

If Hayley’s story has inspired you to consider volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, you can find out more about the organisation and their projects here.

At Whitehaven, we’re committed to supporting important community causes and we encourage our people to continue these practices outside of work. Each year we contribute to initiatives across a range of diverse areas, including health, education, sport and nature conservation. For more information about our approach, check out our 2024 Sustainability Report.

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