MEDIA RELEASE PR37141
John Abraham Helps Build Homes and Awareness with Habitat for Humanity During the Annual Jimmy and
Rosalynn Carter Work Project
CHIANG MAI, Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --
Indian superstar John Abraham joined Habitat for Humanity's annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project
in Chiang Mai this week.
Abraham worked alongside volunteers, including fellow actor Maddy Ranganathan; talk show hostess, writer and
actress Pooja Bedi; and Jacqueline Fernandez, star the new Bollywood movie Aladin, to help build and repair
homes in partnership with low-income families in need of decent housing. Habitat's Carter Work Project is an
intensive week-long build that takes place in a different city around the world each year. Former U.S. President
and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn are leading the annual Habitat for Humanity
build in five Asian countries, Nov. 15-20.
Abraham, who is building in Thailand, joins nearly 3,000 volunteers from around the world will spend the week
building and repairing 166 homes in Thailand, Vietnam, China, Cambodia and Laos - all countries along the
Mekong River.
"It's great being part of the building process," said Abraham, who was named a Habitat Global Hero for his
support of work in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Ethiopia. The greatest thing about Habitat for Humanity,
Abraham said, is its revenue model, with homeowner families helping to pay for houses for future families. "I find
this really special," he said. "And I think it's a great model for other organizations."
A Habitat volunteer since 2006, Abraham has helped raise funding for building projects in India, Pakistan,
Bangladesh and Ethiopia. In addition to working on many Habitat construction sites, he has also appeared in public
service announcements for Habitat.
Through a public awareness and volunteer program titled "John's Brigade," the movie Abraham is encouraging
Indian residents and non-resident Indians around the world to support Habitat for Humanity's indiaBUILDS
campaign which aims to help more than 250,000 low-income people in India into safe, decent and affordable
homes and to inspire others to champion innovative solutions for the estimated 315 million Indians who lack a
decent place to call home.
While in Thailand for the Carter Work Project, Abraham will work alongside other volunteers to build a
community of 82 houses with families in Chiang Mai province. The number 82 was chosen to honor the 82nd
birthday of the Thai monarch, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, on Dec. 5, 2009.
Habitat volunteers in Cambodia will build 21 houses in Damnak Thom village with families who will be relocating
from a dumpsite near Phnom Penh. Thirty-two houses will be built by Habitat homeowners and volunteers in
Vietnam's Dong Xa village near Hanoi.
In China, Habitat is working with the local government in Qionglai city, in the southwestern province of Sichuan,
in a project to build a series of multi-story, urban housing units that will eventually house hundreds of families.
Habitat volunteers will help construct 20 Habitat for Humanity units during the Carter project.
Additionally, in Laos, Habitat volunteers and families will refurbish 11 homes in Ban Chawang village, 30 minutes
outside the capital city of Vientiane.
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 faithfully 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.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people
dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than
300,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.5 million people. For
SOURCE: Habitat for Humanity International, Inc.
CONTACT: Katie Evans of Habitat for Humanity,
+1-404-420-6728,
kevans@habitat.org
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