The Cisco Habitat volunteer team with two members of a local family.

The team’s funds supported their experience, including directly contributing to the construction of their designated home. Beyond the build itself, the funds also help power Habitat’s broader development work in Indonesia, supporting expanded infrastructure and future housing opportunities for the wider community.

Direct funding from the Cisco Foundation, alongside Cisco’s CSR investment, also strengthened this impact. Delivered in close collaboration between Cisco’s ANZ team and Habitat for Humanity Australia, the result was more than a volunteer trip. It was a shared effort that created lasting change, both on the ground and for every participant involved.

Here are some reflections from the participants, sharing their personal journeys and the profound impact of their Time2Give experience:

Inside Account Executive Pavel Sujkowski (left) and Leader, Digital Customer Experience Assad Badran (right).

"My journey with Habitat for Humanity has been transformative, evolving from supporting bushfire resilience in Australia to joining the Global Village program abroad in Vietnam last year and Indonesia this year. Being welcomed into a family's life to help build their future filled me with gratitude.

Watching the joy and relief on their faces as their homes took shape was a powerful reminder of what truly matters.

I am incredibly thankful to Cisco for supporting the Time2Give program, which allows us to step away from daily responsibilities and make a real difference. This experience not only helped families but also brought our Cisco team closer, deepening our understanding of the impact we can have together globally."

Assad Badran, Leader, Digital Customer Experience, North Sydney

Communications and PR Lead for Cisco ANZ Adela Amanowicz (left) and Solutions Engineer Jonathon Lanzon (right).

"I have always wanted to use my Time2Give more meaningfully. Hearing about the family we were helping was humbling: Ten members under one roof with a monthly income under $150. I was proud to be part of a team working to build a more secure home and play my part.

The journey to the remote community was filled with anticipation, and the family's warm smiles and hospitality energized us. Music kept us going through the 35-degree heat. Another highlight was the schoolkids visiting us and sharing their love for metal music!

I learned so much about the importance of community connection and felt honored to build bonds and move bricks with people around me that I had only just met. The experience made a huge impact on me and changed the way I see the world. I’ll be forever grateful for that.”

Adela Amanowicz, PR and Communications Lead, North Sydney

Solutions Engineer Blake Lagats.

"Joining this volunteering adventure was a leap of faith. The intense heat, hard work, and rural setting pulled me out of my usual routine. I embraced cement mixing, rock smashing, excavating, and bricklaying. Each day ended with a sense of accomplishment and energy.

The trip also introduced me to Indonesian culture, local cuisine, and landmarks. The hosts treated us like family, and saying goodbye was bittersweet. We made lifelong friendships through persistence and perseverance."

Blake Lagats, Solutions Engineer, North Sydney

Meraki Network Support Engineer Anthony Nheu.

"The best part of the trip was the people. I’ll never forget the 76-year-old homeowner smashing through a huge rock with a metal rod — he was the hardest worker on site! We found a great rhythm doing concrete work, feeling like a well-oiled machine. The trip ended with a memorable karaoke night with local Habitat hosts, drivers, and builders: A core memory I’ll cherish."

Anthony Nheu, Meraki Network Support Engineer, Sydney

Inside Account Executive Marianne Docherty.

“Giving back in this way has given me a deeper appreciation for the luck I’ve had in life. You realize a lot of your success comes down to the country you’re born in and the opportunities that come with that. It’s a powerful reminder that while my day-to-day challenges can feel big, many people around the world face far greater ones without the same safety nets.

I didn’t know everyone on the Cisco team at the start, but it’s amazing how quickly an experience like this bonds you. By the end of the week, we felt like old friends.

Although this kind of volunteering can be physically demanding, it's given me some of my favorite memories at Cisco. I really hope we get the chance to do it all again next year.”

Marianne Docherty, Inside Account Executive, North Sydney