Habitat for Humanity Unites Celebrities to Build Homes for the Poor

|PIC2|Habitat for Humanity has built one hundred homes over the last week during the annual project spearheaded by former US president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn.

More than 2,000 volunteers, including internationally renowned celebrities, took part in the scheme to build homes in partnership with low-income families from the Lonavala area of India.

Volunteers came from North and South America, Europe, Asia and from across India.

"We've realised that people across the globe have the same basic needs, dreams and aspirations," said Carter at a press conference at the building site. "Habitat's programme depends on finding families who cannot otherwise afford housing."

He also spoke about Habitat's Jimmy Carter Work Project, publicising the basic "right to sleep" in a decent shelter.

"Habitat for Humanity volunteers are following the Carters' example of neighbours helping neighbours," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International.

"Every person who is part of this project will be enriched this week by working with Habitat partner families who are helping to improve their lives and the lives of others in the community."

Actor, architect and philanthropist Brad Pitt joined the Carters and volunteers to help build a new home with Habitat partner family Aziz and Sadhiya Sheikh.

Pitt laid cement blocks that will help complete the exterior of the home.

Also helping to build simple, decent Habitat homes on Monday were Diana Hayden, former Miss World and Miss India; Steve Waugh, internationally known Australian cricket player; and Pooja Bedi, actress and long-term Habitat for Humanity supporter in India.

The Habitat homes in India were built in partnership with low-income families who currently live in dilapidated and temporary housing.

The need for housing in India is dire since nearly a quarter of its 1.1 billion population live on less than US$1 per day.

Habitat for Humanity has been at work in India since 1983 building and renovating nearly 12,000 homes as well as providing an additional 1,700 homes in tsunami-affected areas, making it one of the homebuilding organisation's largest country programmes.

This year's Jimmy Carter Work Project was associated with the India Builds programme run by Habitat for Humanity India.

The five-year campaign plans to engage one million volunteers in helping to provide shelter in partnership with 250,000 people.