Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and His Wife, Rosalynn, Join Thousands of
Volunteers in Asia for Annual Habitat for Humanity Build
166 homes will be built or repaired in Thailand, Vietnam, China, Cambodia and
Laos as part of Habitat for Humanity's Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project
CHIANG MAI, Thailand, Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Former U.S. President and Nobel
Peace Prize laureate Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, welcomed volunteers
to Thailand as they kicked off the 26th annual Habitat for Humanity Jimmy and
Rosalynn Carter Work Project in Chiang Mai. The Carters will lead the annual
Habitat for Humanity build in five Asian countries, Nov. 15-20.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091116/CL00000A )
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050501/NYSU020LOGO )
The Carters and nearly 3,000 volunteers from around the world will spend the
week building and repairing 166 homes in Thailand, Vietnam, China, Cambodia
and Laos - all countries along the Mekong River.
"In an area of the world where many people live in deplorable conditions, we
have a chance to help families improve their housing," said former President
Carter. "Over the years I have seen the lasting impact Habitat for Humanity
volunteers can have, and I have been personally touched by the work they are
doing around the world."
During the week, the Carters will join dignitaries, celebrities, volunteers
and Habitat homeowners as they build in Chiang Mai and visit construction
sites in the other countries.
Celebrity volunteers expected to build in Chiang Mai and elsewhere include
global movie action star Jet Li; Japanese footballer Hidetoshi Nakata; Hong
Kong actor/director Daniel Wu; from India, Bollywood superstar and Habitat for
Humanity India supporter John Abraham, along with fellow countryman actor R.
"Maddy" Madhavan; South Korean TV acting sensation Lee Seo-Jin, and Habitat
for Humanity Thailand's goodwill ambassador, singer and actor Rattapoom "Film"
Tokongsub.
Habitat for Humanity of Thailand will anchor the five-country Carter Work
Project, where volunteers will build a community of 82 houses with families in
Chiang Mai province. The number 82 was chosen to honor the 82nd birthday of
the Thai monarch, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, on Dec. 5, 2009.
Habitat volunteers in Cambodia will build 21 houses in Damnak Thom village
with families who will be relocating from a dumpsite near Phnom Penh.
Thirty-two houses will be built by Habitat homeowners and volunteers in
Vietnam's Dong Xa village near Hanoi.
In China, Habitat is working with the local government in Qionglai city, in
the southwestern province of Sichuan, in a project to build a series of
multi-story, urban housing units that will eventually house hundreds of
families. Habitat volunteers will help construct 20 Habitat for Humanity
units during the Carter project.
Additionally, in Laos, Habitat volunteers and families will refurbish 11 homes
in Ban Chawang village, 30 minutes outside the capital city of Vientiane.
"With the help of President and Mrs. Carter and the thousands of devoted
Habitat volunteers, the Carter Work Project will result not only in better
housing for families who urgently need it in the Mekong region, but in
much-needed attention to the housing plight of so many families in this part
of the world," said Habitat for Humanity Chief Executive Officer Jonathan
Reckford. "Decent shelter helps transform lives and entire communities, and
we're grateful for President and Mrs. Carter's servant leadership."
"Habitat for Humanity has a strong and growing presence in all the Mekong
countries through a wide range of housing solutions," said Richard Hathaway,
vice president for Habitat for Humanity International's Asia-Pacific region.
"We are thankful to President and Mrs. Carter and the thousands of volunteers
who will give programs in this area a major boost, allowing Habitat to serve
even more families in need of decent shelter."
Habitat's Carter Work Project is an annual, internationally-recognized week of
building that brings attention to the need for simple, decent and affordable
housing in partnership with low-income families. President and Mrs. Carter
have faithfully given one week of their time each year since 1984 to help
build Habitat homes and raise awareness about the need for simple, decent
housing. The Carter Work Project has been held in India, Korea, The
Philippines, Mexico, South Africa, Hungary and throughout the United States.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that
welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty
housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built and rehabilitated more
than 300,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter
for more than 1.5 million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org
and for details about Habitat's work in Asia, please visit www.habitat.org/ap.
SOURCE Habitat for Humanity International, Inc.
Peter Witton, +66 (0)86105-1767 or +852-909-72014, or pwitton@habitat.org,
Katie Evans, +1-404-420-6728, or kevans@habitat.org, both of Habitat for
Humanity International, Inc.
