"Former U.S. President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, will lead the annual Habitat for Humanity build bearing their name in five Asian countries from 15th -20th November.
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 Jimmy 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."
Among the volunteers building alongside families will be local and international celebrities from Asia and around the world.
Country music stars from the USA, Garth Brooks and Tricia Yearwood, are scheduled to build with the Carters. The couple has worked on numerous Habitat build sites in recent years.
Other celebrity volunteers will include Hong Kong movie stars and singers Karen Mok and Aaron Kwok; from India, Bollywood superstar and Habitat for Humanity India supporter John Abraham along with fellow countryman, actor R. "Maddy" Madhavan; Jacqueline Fernandez, actress, model, and talk show presenter from Sri Lanka, South Korean TV acting sensation Lee Seo Jin; and Habitat for Humanity Thailand's goodwill ambassador, singer and actor Rattapoom "Film" Tokongsub.
The Carters and nearly 3,000 volunteers from around the world will build and repair 166 homes in Thailand, Vietnam, China, Cambodia and Laos ? all countries along the Mekong River. In the Mekong River basin, nearly one-fifth of the population lives in poverty?many on less than the equivalent of one US dollar per day.
"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 the President and Mrs. Carter's servant leadership."
Now there is only a week to go until the project begins! Through Habitat Japan 15 devoted volunteers will take part in it. From Habitat Japan, 3 staff will join. We are looking forward to building with the Carters and many volunteers from the world, and telling you how wonderful the experience is.
At building site in Chiang Mai, basements of 82 houses have just been completed.
The site is now quite ready for welcoming thousands of volunteers.
◆For more information about the project, please see here!
JRCWP09: Only A WEEK to go until the project !
2009/11/06