Carter Work Project volunteers to build 100 homes in one week in Nepal with Habitat for Humanity

Unstable grass and thatch huts will be replaced by permanent homes, creating safer and healthier places for families to live and raise children

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Habitat for Humanity International

Sep 01, 2015, 10:30 ET

ATLANTA, Sept. 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Bringing together 1,500 volunteers from within Nepal and around the world, Habitat for Humanity's 32nd annual Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project will take place in the Chitwan district in Nepal, Nov. 1-6, 2015. During the week, volunteers will build 100 homes in partnership with low-income families in need of permanent shelter.

"Today these families are living in makeshift grass and thatch huts with mud floors, and over the course of the week we will replace these unstable structures with permanent housing that they can call home," said Jonathan Reckford, Habitat for Humanity International's CEO. "Such improved housing can help families feel a sense of security, as well as enable better educational and health outcomes and create improved employment opportunities. We are looking forward to building alongside Nepali families and helping them to achieve the strength, stability and independence they need to build a better life for themselves and their families."

Families will be selected based on need, their ability to repay an affordable loan and willingness to contribute their own labor – or sweat equity – toward the construction of their homes.

In celebration of the upcoming build project, Habitat for Humanity Nepal held a groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 28 with local families, government representatives and Habitat partners.

"We are pleased to be part of an important, transformational project that will improve the lives of so many families in the Ratnanagar community in Chitwan," said Desiree Bartosiak, Habitat for Humanity Nepal's national director. "Thanks to the support of volunteers and sponsors, we will be able to help 100 families have safer places to live. They will no longer have to fear their roofs getting blown away by the wind or water leaking into their homes when it rains."

Habitat for Humanity Nepal has been partnering successfully in Chitwan for several years. Most recently, volunteers from 16 countries gathered last year to build homes in the district in partnership with 36 families during Habitat's Everest Build III.

Since 1984, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, have given a week of their time to help Habitat build and repair houses while raising awareness of the need for affordable housing around the world. Last month, President Carter shared that he has begun treatment for melanoma and his participation in this year's build project will depend on counsel from his medical team.

"President and Mrs. Carter have been champions of Habitat for Humanity for more than three decades, and we are grateful for their support and passion for our mission," said Reckford. "We remain hopeful circumstances will allow them to join us in November as we continue to work toward a shared goal of building homes, community and hope in Nepal."

For more information about this year's Carter Work Project, visit: habitat.org/cwp /2015

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International's vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a path out of poverty, since 1976 Habitat has helped more than 5 million people through home construction, rehabilitation and repairs and by increasing access to improved shelter through products and services. Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and offers a variety of housing support services that enable families with limited means to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit habitat.org.

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SOURCE Habitat for Humanity International