|
Nearly 3,000 Habitat for
Humanity volunteers dedicated 166 homes in Thailand, Vietnam, China,
Laos and Cambodia. The houses were built or repaired as part of
Habitat’s annual “Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project,” where the
former U.S. president and first lady helped raise awareness about the
need for affordable housing and building homes in partnership with
low-income earners.
“We are grateful to the
Carters and the thousands of volunteers who’ve worked to make simple,
decent and affordable housing possible,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of
Habitat for Humanity International. “Their work this week will help
Habitat increase its efforts in this region to serve even more families
in need of improved housing conditions.”
Celebrity volunteers included
global movie action star Jet Li, who signed an agreement with Habitat
for Humanity to help build and improve homes in China in 2010-2011.
Also seen working on the Thai site were Japanese football player Hidetoshi Nakata; from
India, Bollywood superstar and Habitat for Humanity India supporter
John Abraham, along with actor R. “Maddy” Madhavan and Pooja Bedi, and,
from Sri Lanka, actress and broadcaster Jacqueline Fernandez; South
Korean TV actor Lee Seo-Jin; and Habitat for Humanity Thailand’s
goodwill ambassador, singer and actor Rattapoom “Film” Tokongsub.
In Chengdu, China, Hong Kong actor/director Daniel Wu was one of several Hong Kong celebrity volunteers to build.
“I also am pleased to announce
that next year Habitat’s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project will be
held in the United States, Oct. 3- 8, to coincide with World Habitat
Day,” said Reckford.
World Habitat Day occurs on
the first Monday in October each year as a time to reflect on the state
of towns and cities, and the basic right of adequate shelter for all
people.
The day was designated by the United Nations and is annually observed by Habitat for Humanity organizations around the world.
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, Thailand, Vietnam,
China, South Korea, Laos and throughout the United States.
|
Humanistic Journals 