Annual Jimmy Carter work project kicks off in India

Celebrities join thousands of volunteers to help build homes and raise awareness about the need for affordable housing

One-hundred homes are being built this week during the annual Habitat for Humanity project led by former U.S. President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn. More than 2,000 volunteers from North and South America, Europe, Asia and from across India are taking part in building homes in partnership with low-income families from the Lonavala area.

Actor, architect and philanthropist Brad Pitt joined the Carters and volunteers to help build a new home with Habitat partner family Aziz and Sadhiya Sheikh.

Other volunteers included Diana Hayden, former Miss World and Miss India; Steve Waugh, internationally-known Australian cricket player; and Pooja Bedi, actress and long-term Habitat for Humanity supporter in India; among other celebrities and dignitaries.

"We've realised that people across the globe have the same basic needs, dreams and aspirations," said Carter at a press conference from the build site. "Habitat's programme depends on finding families who cannot otherwise afford housing."

"Habitat for Humanity volunteers are following the Carters' example of neighbours helping neighbours," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. "Every person who is part of this project will be enriched this week by working with Habitat partner families who are helping to improve their lives and the lives of others in the community."

The Habitat homes in India are being built in partnership with low-income families who currently live in dilapidated and temporary housing. The need for housing in India is dire since nearly a quarter of its 1.1 billion population live on less than US$1 per day. More about Habitat for Humanity work in India.

This year's Jimmy Carter Work Project is associated with Habitat for Humanity India's IndiaBUILDS programme.

The Carters are Habitat's most famous volunteers. Each year since 1984, the Carters have given one week of their time to build homes and raise awareness about the need for simple, decent and affordable housing. Previous JCWP events have been held in New York City, Georgia, Michigan, the Philippines, Hungary, South Korea and South Africa. Habitat's JCWP 2007 will be in Los Angeles.

Major partners include Citigroup, Dow India, Vedanta Resources, Posco India, Whirlpool Corporation, Cisco, HDFC Ltd., Aditya Birla Group and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.