One year had passed since the the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project (JRCWP09) united volunteers and families in need of decent, affordable housing in the Mekong region in November, 2009. Habitat built with nearly 166 families in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and China's Sichuan Province. In the weeks and months since the 3,000 volunteers from 32 countries departed, the families had been moving into their new homes and starting their new lives. This makes an one year reports on the lives of 82 families at Nong Kon Kru, the main site of the JRCWP09, a suburban district, a half hour drive north of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand.
　
A "New Community" takes shape
　
The dedication in January of a community center at Nong Kon Kru marked a new beginning for 82 families. "We gave a name to this community in Thai, Ban Mai Sa Makee, which　means 'New Community, New Unity'," said Habitat home partner and leader of the community Kumsaen Suon.
Among the first was vegetable seller Guan Matip. She was only too glad to bid farewell to her old house built over a polluted canal and prone to flooding during the annual rainy season. " I always thought that it would be impossible to have my own cement house in a clean new community, but my dream has come true."
Another Habitat home partner Chunkum Duangtip said " The community here has been very successful with working together ever since we began to contribute sweat equity (before the build week). This was very helpful in bringing the families together and getting to know one another prior to the build."
The impact upon nursing
Already the community is changing. Several families have added extensions. Others have started businesses in their homes. The houses are all well maintained showing the pride that the families take in their homes. One of the greatest impacts has been the creation of a secure and healthier living environment for children to play and grow.

For sustainable development
In one year after the JRCWP09 was held in 5 countries along the Mekong River, Habitat has shifted to a community support which is emphasizing on sustainability and health of the lives of families. This is Habitat's way and JRCWP10 was carried out to build, rehabilitate and repair 86 houses in communities across the United States.
◆Related Articles
・ The 2009 Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project Comes To A Close !
・ The Everest Build in Nepal (Oct 2010)
・ The Blue Sky Build in Mongolia (Jun 2010)
・ The Global Build in India (Sep 2008)