Inspired Leamington charity worker Eleanor turns volunteer to help build home for Tajikistani family

Eleanor Perkins, who has for three years been involved in the charity Habitat for Humanity, decided she wanted to see with her own eyes an example of the work it supported.

So the Kinross Road resident volunteered to be part of a team which will spend two weeks in May building a home for a family in Kumsangir, in the Khatlon province of the Asian country.

She said: “They live in really appalling housing conditions and some people there do not even have access to clean water.

“I’m really keen to gain an understanding of how people live and what challenges they face.

“That part of the world is completely unknown to me. It’s going to be a real privilege.”

Eleanor, who works as a press officer and fundraising researcher at the charity’s Banbury office, will be given on-the-spot training by skilled workers from the area.

She said: “It will be basic manual labour, such as mixing cement, bricklaying, carpentry, painting and plastering. I haven’t done any DIY beyond changing a lightbulb, so I’ll have to work on my upper-body strength!”

Eleanor needs to raise £2,000 to fund the trip and is to help with this, is holding a coffee morning and craft sale at Dale Street Methodist Church in Leamington tomorrow (Saturday) from 10am to noon.

The event will include live music and cakes and an information stand about the charity.

Habitat for Humanity works in 80 countries around the world to support people in poor areas to build and maintain safe and decent homes.

To sponsor Eleanor, go online.