Half a million people mobilized for Habitat for Humanity Youth BUILD 2015

A record 150,000 volunteers building on one day in Nepal

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Mar 20, 2015, 01:34 ET

BANGKOK, March 20, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Marking the peak of the Habitat for Humanity Youth BUILD 2015 campaign tomorrow will be a record number of Habitat volunteers mobilized on a single day. Approximately 150,000 volunteers will be building decent homes in more than 100 locations in Nepal on March 21. The three-month campaign will have helped a record 10,000 low-income families secure decent homes with the mobilization of 500,000 volunteers across the Asia-Pacific region.

Now in its fourth year, the largest volunteer-driven movement in the Asia-Pacific region draws support from young people in 15 countries and one Special Administrative Region. Habitat Youth BUILD heightens awareness of the poverty housing situation in the Asia-Pacific region and inspires people to take action to tackle the growing problem.

"Each year, Habitat Youth BUILD raises the bar by inspiring more supporters to get involved in raising awareness, funds and support for Habitat's cause in exciting ways. This year is no exception. In Nepal alone, 150,000 people will work on multiple sites in one day to build decent homes and hope," said Rick Hathaway, vice president for Asia-Pacific, Habitat for Humanity International. He added that the campaign will serve close to six times more families this year, compared to last year.

To find out more about Habitat Youth BUILD, join the online community or visit habitat.org.

For the first time, Habitat's Global Village international volunteer teams are supporting Habitat Youth BUILD. More than 770 volunteers from Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore have traveled to Asian and Pacific countries such as Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Fiji to build homes for those in need.

Celebrities are also vocal in their support. Indonesian singer-songwriter Vanessa Theodora Mbouw, known as vanessaTM, has composed and donated a song entitled "Start the Fire" to encourage youth of the region to be the change they want to see. The music video featuring Habitat supporters can be viewed here. vanessaTM is a youth ambassador for Habitat for Humanity Indonesia.

Other celebrities who endorse Habitat Youth BUILD include actress Pooja Umashanker, an ambassador of Habitat for Humanity Sri Lanka; fashion model Arisa Kamada, who appeals to a young fan base in Japan; Nepali youth advocate and broadcast journalist Santosh Shah; Nirnaya Shrestha, a Nepali rapper and more.

Several participating countries are organizing builds and other activities when the campaign peaks on March 21. Other countries will mark the peak later.

Sri Lanka: Some 600 international and local volunteers will work alongside families to build houses in Muttur village, Trincomalee in the Eastern Province.
China: In Shiming village, Guangdong province, 140 youth volunteers from Hong Kong and China will work for two days to build homes for low-income families.
Philippines: An estimated 50,000 supporters from schools, churches and corporations are expected to raise funds, create awareness and build homes for 5,000 families at 10 build sites. Prior activities included a build by former and current beauty contestants and a mural painting contest in Manila.
Indonesia: A fun walk for Habitat Youth BUILD supporters will be held on March 22, a car-free day in the business district of Jakarta.
Cambodia: On March 28, nearly 100 youth volunteers will be painting and doing landscaping work at a childcare center in Andong, a slum area in Phnom Penh.
India: More than 1,000 volunteers are building homes and sanitation facilities, and thousands more are participating in awareness and fundraising activities.

About Habitat Youth BUILD 2015
The Habitat for Humanity Youth BUILD 2015 movement invites young people across the Asia-Pacific region to support families in need of decent homes, rallying against poverty by volunteering, fundraising and speaking out. The campaign encourages caring and concerned youth to take action together to build homes and communities on a Habitat build site, and to take action online through their social networks. Learn more at habitatyouthbuild.

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 critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, Habitat has helped more than 5 million people construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes since 1976. Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and supports a variety of funding models that enable families with limited resources 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. Habitat has supported an estimated 1.5 million individuals in the Asia-Pacific region, where it has been active since 1983. To get more information, to donate or to volunteer, please visit habitat.org/asiapacific or follow us at facebook.com/habitat.

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SOURCE Habitat for Humanity International