HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

For Immediate Release: 11 November 2009

Kiwi Homebuilding Team Heads For Asia

143 New Zealanders leave Auckland this Friday to go to Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and China to help build 162 homes in 5 days, joining 3,000 volunteers from around the world. The Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project (JRCWP) is a catalytic kick start event leading to the building of fifty thousand homes for the poor in the Mekong area in the following five year period. Previous Carter Work Projects have led to a tenfold increase in the number of houses Habitat is able to build annually in the host country, through increased awareness and involvement of governments, corporations and high profile individuals.

The Mekong Region is home to some of the poorest families in Asia. Nearly one third of the population (80 million out of 250 million) live in deplorable poverty, surviving on less than a dollar a day. In Phnom Penh, Cambodia Habitat will be resettling families who have been living and working in a rubbish dump, to a new area including a community centre, medical clinic, and microfinance supported small business opportunities. Just outside of Hanoi, Vietnam, families who live in crowded conditions on their small fishing boats, using the same river water for cooking, bathing and toilet, will be resettled to new homes that are land based communities.

Habitat for Humanity NZ CEO Pete North is thrilled with the Kiwi response: "NZ has the second largest volunteer contingent after the USA; Kiwis like to make a difference by getting their hands dirty in very a practical way". A team of 51 are going to Cambodia, 45 each to Thailand and Vietnam, and 2 to China. The Thailand team has a very special focus, with several Women Build houses to be built there by some NZ celebrities including Trelise Cooper, Sara Tetro, Nerida Cortese, Pieter Stewart, Greer Robson and Julie Christie.

"Habitat NZ sends many volunteer teams overseas each year. "What is exciting is the knowledge that many of these Kiwis going to JRCWP in the Mekong are first timers on a Habitat overseas building trip. They usually catch the bug and want to go again and again in subsequent years. It is far more than just social tourism; it is a life changing experience, working alongside of the poor, not just for the poor. It throws a new light on experiencing a culture, language, local cuisine and above all, love that is demonstrated in practical action," says Mr. North.

Included in the Kiwi volunteer group are 24 Builders who are taking a lead role as House Leaders. Each one will be responsible for overseeing 15 other volunteers with the clear goal of completing their house by the end of the fifth work day.

Mr. North says that in 2010, volunteer teams are already being organised to go to Nepal (Everest Blitz Build in October 2010), Ethiopia, Indonesia, Cambodia and a special Womens Build team to India in March 2010. By early 2010 many more countries are expected to be added. People interested in going can contact Habitat at 09-579-4111.

"A registered charity, Habitat New Zealand has helped more than 350 families into their own homes in New Zealand since its establishment in 1992 and internationally helps more than 60,000 families per year into homes with its aim of eliminating poverty housing worldwide". ____________________________________________________________________________ ends