AN apprentice from Kendal led from the front as a Cumbrian construction ambassador, bringing joy to a community in Cambodia and gaining as much from the experience as he gave.

Connor Dixon, 19, was chosen by his employer, Russell Armer Homes, to be part of the Home Builders Federation-backed ‘Habitat for Humanity’ Charity Project, which focuses on creating homes for vulnerable families in some of the most impoverished communities in the UK and overseas.

The culture shock he felt on arrival in Cambodia started a process that has enriched the young man and taught him many life lessons.

Despite being so young, he was appointed a ‘house leader’, marshalling a team of eight, which included Englishmen, Scots and Australians. The aim was to build a house within a week, with everyone working on a variety of building tasks, from bricklaying to joinery and the laying of a concrete floor.

With 300 volunteers on site, some from a construction background and others who were charity volunteers with no formal training in building, there was a real exchange of knowledge.

Despite the different culture, climate and food, Connor led his team superbly and his house was the first to be completed on the site, built in an incredible five days. The reward came in the form of meeting the family - mother, father and two children - who now live in this house, and attending a blessing of their new home, in keeping with Buddhist tradition.

“This was a life-changing experience for me," said Connor. “I am determined to return and also take on other projects like this, where I can physically see that my contribution is actually helping people in need and creating positive and tangible impacts."

Visit habitatforhumanity.org.uk and www.russell-armer.co.uk for more information.