[Immediate Release]
Habitat for Humanity China begins kickoff of five day build in Sichuan, China As part of the world’s largest annual volunteer building event Volunteers from all corners of the globe come together today to highlight affordable housing needs in Sichuan and around the world for the 26th Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project Hong Kong, November 16, 2009 – Today marks the kick‐off of a week‐long effort in Qionglai City, Sichuan province as part of the 26th annual Habitat for Humanity Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project to build safe and affordable homes for poor families in the region. 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 beginning today through 20th November. The Carters and nearly 3,000 volunteers from around the world will build and repair 166 homes in Thailand, Vietnam, China, Cambodia and Laos as part of The Mekong Build – 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 US$1 per day. “We are committed to helping achieve Habitat for Humanity’s mission of eradicating poverty housing and homelessness worldwide,” said former President Carter. “Specifically within the Sichuan region, there are many families that are living in deplorable conditions and with this build we have the opportunity to help them improve their housing and their lives.” The Carter Work Project is taking place at an urban site in Qionglai City, approximately 80 kilometers from Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan. More than 200 volunteers begin working alongside families to help construct 20 Habitat for Humanity units in the first of a series of multistory blocks that will eventually house hundreds of families. The families have been relocated from other areas but lack the resources to own their own homes. Thanks to the sponsors, the China build is made possible. PepsiCo is sponsoring bottled water and their newly‐launched herbal drink CBL (草本樂) to all volunteers during the five‐day build. They are also one of the project partners. Other major project partners include Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), global cooperation DOW Chemical, Citi and Citi Foundation, The Bharti Charitable Foundation, multinational engineering and construction contractor Fluor, Island Evangelical Community 香港灣仔駱克道 118 號嘉洛商業大廈 9 樓 9/F., Gaylord Commercial Building, 118 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong 電話 Tel：(852)2858 2099 傳真 Fax：(852)2858 2091 www.habitatchina.org
Church, global payment services company MoneyGram, hotel group Marriott International, fashionable brand Skechers and home appliance manufacturer Whirlpool. “This is a very exciting day as we begin an effort that will have a lasting impact on families in Asia,” explained Habitat for Humanity Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Reckford. “We are thrilled and grateful to have President and Mrs. Carter, along with thousands of volunteers, to help Habitat for Humanity expand its presence in Asia, as well as China.” Habitat for Humanity China’s Chief Representative for Sichuan, Hosea Lai, shares “Habitat for Humanity in China has been engaged in much work around the Chengdu area for years, and this in a major step in our further development in the region.” This phase of the Qionglai City Project involves Habitat working with local government authorities to build homes for some of the poorest families in Sichuan. These families lost their land on the rural outskirts of the expanding city as their holdings were consolidated for other purposes. The 2009 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project will also mark the start of a five‐year campaign to deliver affordable housing to tens of thousands of families living in countries along across the Mekong River region. In addition, it will kick off a major five‐year campaign to deliver affordable housing for 10,000 families in China. 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 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. The World Bank estimates that more than 200 million people in China live on the equivalent of less than US$1.25 a day (World Bank in 2005 prices). For more information regarding 2009 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project, please visit www.habitatchina.org.
香港灣仔駱克道 118 號嘉洛商業大廈 9 樓 9/F., Gaylord Commercial Building, 118 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong 電話 Tel：(852)2858 2099 傳真 Fax：(852)2858 2091 www.habitatchina.org