Working side by side with his team members and local volunteers, Thrivent Financial’s Steve Zenk recently returned from a service mission trip in Ploiesti, Romania, according to a press release. Zenk was building with Habitat for Humanity in Romania as part of a week-long trip with the Habitat and Thrivent Worldwide program, a partnership between Thrivent Financial and Habitat for Humanity International.

Zenk was one of 13 financial representatives who attended the week-long trip led by senior leaders at Thrivent Financial. The financial professionals were eligible to participate in the trip because of their strong commitment to helping Thrivent members on their wise-with-money journeys over the past year, the release stated, and Zenk was recognized for his outstanding service to members and their families.

“It was a remarkable experience,” Zenk said. “The people of Romania are very warm and welcoming. This trip was an incredible way to give back and be generous in a different setting.”

According to Habitat for Humanity International, more than half the population of Romania is struggling with overcrowded living conditions. A lot of houses are made of improper materials or are in advanced stages of degradation and are not equipped with basic utilities. During the cold season, heating houses is a concern for a big part of the population. The release stated 15 percent of Romanians are burdened with house maintenance costs and spend 40% of their income for house-related expenses.

Despite the fact that Romania is part of the European Union, more than 5 million people live in extremely poor conditions, including more than 2 million children. Some 8.5 million people — around 41 percent of the Romanian population — have no bathroom facilities with access to running water. According to national statistics cited in the press release, 35% of the housing stock in Romania is in a state of complete neglect and in need of repair.

In recent years, Romania has faced several floods, leaving thousands of people in temporary shelters every year. Similarly, the country has experienced harsh winters with heavy snowfalls that isolated many villages from the main roads and stable food supplies, according to the release.

Thrivent Financial, through Habitat and Thrivent Worldwide, has committed to sending teams all over the world this year in order to help improve local communities and spark positive change, the release stated. The impact in the regions they serve is already being felt by community members, many of whom are experiencing stable housing, indoor plumbing and running water for the very first time.