Stories
Transforming Lives: Join Our Journey
Improving Living Standards with Bamboo
For centuries, bamboo has been central to life in Nepal, serving as a material for homes, tools and rituals. In the southern Terai plains, it was essential for survival in regions prone to natural disasters. However, traditional bamboo structures were temporary and fragile, requiring constant repair and maintenance, preventing families from investing in other aspects of their lives.
How Nepal is Embracing Disaster-Resilient Housing Solutions
For 49% of Nepal’s population, or 15 million people, security, warmth, and an overall foundation for a stable life are still unattainable. In rural areas, particularly, homes are often fragile and vulnerable. Living under extreme weather conditions, these families are in a constant state of worry about their shelter. Finding a long-term solution requires not just better materials, but also a shift in mindset.
Education that goes beyond the classroom
The new school building was opened just over a year ago, and it is clear as soon as you enter: the well-being of the pupils, around a third of whom are children of Hilti employees, is at the centre of attention here. The new building impresses not only with its modern architecture, but also with its functionality - with light-flooded classrooms, modern science laboratories, creative rooms and spacious learning and communal areas.
A Traditional Transformation: The Modern Method of Bamboo Construction
While bamboo has always symbolized resilience, traditional bamboo homes often fail to withstand the very disasters they are meant to endure. Families spend years repairing fragile huts, only to see them damaged again by floods and storms, losing time, resources, and the chance for a secure future. For Gita Devi, that changed when she moved into her new home. Listen as she shares her journey.
Shaping Opportunities through Sindbad Mentoring
Compulsory school is over, but what comes next? At the end of their school education, many young people are faced with the difficult question of which path to take. 15-year-old Bogi also faced this challenge. But thanks to the support of Sindbad and her mentor Alissa, who works at Hilti, she was able to gain clarity and confidently set the course for her professional future.
Building Stability: Reshmi’s Journey and Nepal’s Bamboo Revolution
The monsoon rains came without mercy, flooding the floors of Reshmi’s bamboo hut. The fragile roof sagged under the downpour, water dripping onto the mud walls as she and her two children huddled in a corner. The jungle loomed just beyond their door, and with it came a constant threat as snakes, insects, and scorpions often found their way inside. This was not just her reality; it was the reality of millions of families across Nepal’s rural plains.
Affordable Housing: Laying the Foundation for a Better Future
Inadequate housing is more than just a deficit—it’s a barrier to safety, health, andeconomic progress, trapping countless families in a relentless cycle of poverty with higher exposure to violence and limited future perspectives for their children. The Hilti Foundation is on a mission to break this cycle through innovative technologies, sustainable building practices, and through working on solutions to solve the problem holistically.
Podcast: Unlocking the Power of Microentrepreneurs
Microbusinesses make up 90% of global enterprises and contribute to over half of global GDP. Yet, they remain among the most underserved economic players. How can we change this?
In this episode, Hilti Foundation Managing Director Werner Wallner is joined by Amalia Johnsson (Hand in Hand International) and Payal Dalal (Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth) to explore how small businesses can drive systemic change and transform lives.
Bamboo Pioneers: A Decade of Building Stronger Communities
As we celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the BASE Bahay Foundation, we look back on a decade of groundbreaking work in bamboo construction, transforming lives of thousands of low-income families through innovative and affordable housing solutions.
Hilti 2024 Company Report
Innovation and responsibility go hand in hand—because real progress extends beyond business. The Hilti 2024 Report Suite highlights not just industry advancements, but the lives transformed along the way. At the Hilti Foundation, we’re committed to empowering communities and creating lasting impact through opportunity and self-determination.
Each One, Teach One. About Finding and Raising One’s Own Voice
Mookho B. Rankhala, 30, a talented violist and music teacher, has come a long way. Her journey has been one of growth and inspiration, driven by a dream not just to succeed but to create opportunities for others. As she prepares to graduate, her ambitions extend beyond her own achievements; she envisions a pathway for children from underprivileged backgrounds to receive an excellent music education, just as she has.
Miracle in Miatuini
Struggling with poverty, limited resources, and no access to credit, a Kenyan farmer found hope through training and financial support. Discover how Susan built a thriving poultry business, secured her family’s future, and broke free from the cycle of poverty. A powerful story of resilience and economic empowerment.
Superar: Where Every Child is a Superstar
In a world where many children face daunting socio-economic challenges, the chance to realize their full potential often feels out of reach. Yet, amidst these challenges, music has the power to change lives—bridging gaps, breaking down barriers, and opening doors to a brighter future. This is the mission of Superar.
Biodiversity Goes to School
The “supergut” initiative's escape room in Schaan welcomed its 5,000th visitor in February and the hunt for Dr. Mo No will continue until the end of March 2025. The topic of biodiversity will remain top of mind with a large-scale school competition and mobile “supergut labs” which will begin in summer 2025.
Zambia’s Acute Healthcare Staff Shortage
The Zambian healthcare system faces a severe shortage of personnel. To address this, the Hilti Foundation and SolidarMed established vocational training for nurses and midwives. Adequate housing for students and healthcare workers is crucial to retaining skilled staff, making it a key part of the initiative.
No Way but Forward - Sayed’s Journey
“Servus! How’re you?” The voice coming out of the speaker is in a cheerful local Austrian dialect. To hear the 22-year-old speak, you would think he had grown up in the region. But Sayed was born in Afghanistan and fled to Austria alone more than eight years ago at the age of 14. His story tells of arriving and why goals, opportunities and good mentors are so important on a young person‘s path.
Escape Room on Biodiversity in Liechtenstein
Only a few weeks left until the "supergut" escape room in Schaan opens its doors. Under the title "Die Jagd nach Dr. Mo No," both young and old can experience an exciting adventure centered around the theme of biodiversity, starting in September. Currently, the team is in the midst of setting up the premises where Dr. Mo No wreaks havoc.
Family and Career in Harmony
Attractive jobs and the compatibility of career and family go hand in hand at Hilti. Following this corporate philosophy, another daycare center has now been opened in Buchs after Schaan: Since the beginning of January, a total of 29 children of Hilti team memers have now had a first-class childcare place in the completely redesigned premises of the Neuhof site, leaving nothing to be desired for young and old.
Ukrainian Scholars Celebrate Graduation at ISR
Just over two years ago, Viktoriia had fled her home country, Ukraine, due to the war. With the scholarship program at the International School Rheintal (ISR) in Buchs, we were able to support academically ambitious students like her in creating a foundation for their future in the new environment.
Podcast Episode #3: Underwater Photography in Egypt
In this episode photographer Christoph Gerigk talks about his work in the sunken ancient cities off the coast of Egypt as part of Franck Goddio’s underwater archaeological excavation team. By presenting some of his most iconic underwater pictures, Christoph vividly explains the challenges of his work, including bad visibility, and his responsibility of being everywhere and nowhere at the same time.