Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his Wife, Rosalynn, Join Thousands of Volunteers in Asia for Annual Habitat for Humanity Build

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his Wife, Rosalynn, Join Thousands of
Volunteers in Asia for Annual Habitat for Humanity Build 166 homes will be built or repaired in Thailand, Vietnam, China, Cambodia and Laos as part of Habitat for Humanity's Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project.

ATLANTA, Oct. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Former U.S. President and Nobel Peace Prize
laureate Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, will lead the annual Habitat for
Humanity build bearing their name in five Asian countries, Nov. 15-20.

The Carters and nearly 3,000 volunteers from around the world will build and
repair 166 homes in Thailand, Vietnam, China, Cambodia and Laos - all
countries along the Mekong River. In the Mekong River Basin, nearly one-fifth
of the population lives in poverty - many on less than the equivalent of one
US dollar per day, according to the CIA World Factbook.

"In an area of the world where many people live in deplorable conditions, we
have a chance to help families improve their housing," said former President
Jimmy Carter. "Over the years I have seen the lasting impact Habitat for
Humanity volunteers can have, and I have been personally touched by the work
they are doing around the world."

Country music stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood will volunteer alongside
the Carters during the Carter Work Project. Brooks and Yearwood have worked
on numerous Habitat build sites in recent years.

Habitat for Humanity of Thailand will anchor the five-country Carter Work
Project, where volunteers will 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 king, 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.

"With the help of President and Mrs. Carter and the thousands of devoted
Habitat volunteers, the Carter Work Project will result not only in better
housing for families who urgently need it in the Mekong region, but in
much-needed attention to the housing plight of so many families in this part
of the world," said Habitat for Humanity chief executive officer Jonathan
Reckford. "Decent shelter helps transform lives and entire communities, and
we're grateful for President and Mrs. Carter's servant leadership."

"Habitat for Humanity has a strong and growing presence in all the Mekong
countries through a wide range of housing solutions," said Richard Hathaway,
vice president for Habitat for Humanity International's Asia/Pacific region.
"We are thankful to President and Mrs. Carter and the thousands of volunteers
who will give programs in this area a major boost, allowing Habitat to serve
even more families in need of decent shelter."


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 more information, visit www.habitat.org.