Habitat for Humanity India is proud to celebrate the remarkable dedication of Mr. Anna Charly Jeyaraj, Director of Volunteer Programmes, as he enters his 30^th year of service in advancing our mission to build safe, affordable housing and strengthen communities.

Anna Charly Jeyaraj began his journey with Habitat for Humanity India in 1995. From writing proposals to addressing critical housing needs and establishing affiliates across the country to spearheading disaster response initiatives, Charly has played a transformative role. His efforts have united volunteers from more than 50 nationalities in pursuit of Habitat’s vision.

Now, in his 30th year of service with the organisation, Charly leads Habitat for Humanity India’s Global Village Volunteer Programme. He has played a pivotal role in driving the success of International, domestic, and school volunteer programmes through special campaigns. As we celebrate his incredible journey, we sit down with Charly to hear his reflections on the transformative work, his passion for volunteerism, and his vision for the future.

What inspired you to join Habitat for Humanity India back in 1995?

I grew up in a very small house. There were nine of us — my parents and seven children — living in cramped quarters. Space was so limited that when guests came, some of us would have to step outside to make room. It was a constant exercise in space management, with barely enough room for all of us to sleep together. This experience shaped my understanding of the importance of housing.

Over the years, I lived in different types of homes, but the need for adequate housing stayed with me. When I came across the opportunity to work on building homes for the underserved, it resonated deeply. I realised, “This is what I want to do.” At the time, building a house would cost a lot of money and I wondered how Habitat for Humanity could implement such projects. But when I learned about the possibility and the impact, I knew this was my calling. That is when I decided to join the effort.

What is your favourite part of leading the Global Village Volunteer Programme?

What amazes me the most is the way Habitat for Humanity translates its mission into action. Building homes require more than financial resources – it demands deeper connection with people. It is about empowering communities to understand the importance of housing, creating a transformative impact, and ensuring that the mission continued sustainably.

Volunteers play a vital role in turning this vision into a movement, making it enduring and impactful. Their dedication and hands-on efforts not only help build homes but also foster hope and resilience within communities. Seeing how this collective spirit drives change and transforms lives has been my favourite part of leading the Global Village Volunteer Programme. 

Can you share a moment from your volunteering experience that has stayed with you over the years? 

There are countless stories I could share, but one moment remains etched in my memory. It happened around 2011, when we were working with a group of volunteers in a village in Pondicherry. For safety reasons, we do not allow children or elderly people near construction sites. However, there was an elderly woman, over 80 years old, who came to the construction site and sat by the stack of bricks, rest her head on them, and touch them as if they were precious. After a while, she would prepare tea for everyone, serve, and then return to her spot by the bricks.

I approached her and offered her a chair in the shade, but she refused. When I asked why she was sitting by the bricks, she said something that brought tears to my eyes. She explained that before India’s independence in 1947, she had been a bonded labourer in a brick-making factory. Back then, bricks - especially the red bricks were considered a luxury that only landlords, the British, and the wealthy could afford to use for building homes. Ordinary people like her were not allowed to build homes with bricks. She recounted how, as a bonded labourer, she spent years making bricks for others, never imagining that one day she would be able to buy bricks and build a home for her own children. “I sit here because I want to touch these bricks, feel them, and let them remind me of how far I have come,” she said. Her words deeply moved me. This woman’s story was not just about building a house; it was about the transformative power of a single home, breaking cycles of oppression and create a better future for the next generation. 

If you could relive one moment from your 30 years with Habitat, what would it be? 

I will have to take you back to my school days to answer this question. I remember an incident when I was studying in the 10th grade that highlights how far I have come. In one of our classes, the history teacher, who was not a designated subject teacher, asked us to look at a world map. She pointed to the map and asked, “Where is America?” I confidently pointed to the roof and said, “In the sky!” The whole class laughed at me. But I explained my logic: “To go to America, you must take a flight. Flights go in the sky, so America must be there!” That is how limited my understanding was at the time. I was 15, and even then, I could not fathom the idea of traveling to a place like America.

Fast forward years later, life brought me an incredible opportunity — to host former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, during the Carter Work Project in Lonavala, Pune. Spending time with them and witnessing their dedication to Habitat for Humanity’s mission was nothing short of extraordinary. Here I was, someone who once thought America was in the sky, now standing with a global leader and his wife, contributing to a cause that brought people together from across the world. It was a humbling and unforgettable moment—a true testament to how far life had brought me.

Hosting former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Ms. Rosalynn Carter must have been extraordinary. What’s one thing about that experience that people would not know? 

One of my most cherished memories is hosting former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, his wife, son, and relatives during a Habitat for Humanity build in India, where we achieved a historic milestone of completing 100 homes in one project—a feat unique to India even today. President Carter’s recognition of our efforts was deeply inspiring, and months later, I was invited to join the next build in Los Angeles. What awaited me there was beyond imagination: a grand opening ceremony with notable figures like Arnold Schwarzenegger; then Governor of California and Ricky Martin. That week, President Carter honoured me with the U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award, a moment that remains one of the greatest honours of my life.

That evening, during the ceremony, President Carter honoured me with the U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award. It was an unforgettable moment. The award itself was beautiful, featuring the iconic eagle and the official government seal, symbolising its authenticity and significance. It read: U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award. The recognition and the award remain one of the greatest honours of my life.

What is your vision for the future of Habitat’s volunteer programmes?

The future of the volunteer programme needs to go far beyond what we have achieved so far. While we have reached an incredible 12.5 million people through volunteers and participants, the growth rate is still insufficient to address the vast needs in housing, water, sanitation, and other mission-focused areas. To meet these challenges, the scale of operations must grow significantly.

The vision is to create a robust programme where volunteers are more than just contributors; they are wilful partners driving the mission forward. My dream is to see Habitat for Humanity’s volunteer department expanding to reach more people, being present in every state, and establishing strong relationships with government offices and communities across the nation.

If you were not with Habitat, what would you be doing today? 

From my school days, I was always drawn to uniforms, especially military uniforms—khaki uniforms fascinated me the most. This attraction eventually led me to the Navy, where I underwent training, attended interviews, and was even selected. On another front, I also had a passion for theatre and dreamed of becoming an actor. Over the years the connection to acting has always stayed with me. If life had taken a different path, I am certain I would have either been a naval officer or an actor!

What do you want to tell your family and your colleagues at Habitat India on stepping into 30^th year in Habitat? 

Habitat is more than a workplace—it is a mission that touches lives. Every brick we lay, every home we build, creates a future for families and generations to come. Over the years, I have seen children from these families grow into leaders, and it fills me with pride knowing we are rebuilding the nation, one home at a time. What sets us apart is not just the homes we build, but the human touch we bring to communities. This work is not just about numbers; it is about the lives we change. Be proud of the blessings you multiply every day—you are making a difference.

To my family, you are the reason I have been able to do this work. Your sacrifices—my parents’ understanding, my wife’s resilience during my absences, and my daughter’s patience—have built countless families. Even during the hardest times, like the tsunami relief, your support kept me going. We may have missed moments together, but our family is rich with blessings, blessings that will sustain us and future generations.

To my daughter, remember: our family was the foundation for building many other families. Our sacrifices have brought hope to many. These blessings are our legacy—a wealth that will never run out.