We were deeply saddened by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter’s passing, however there is much we can celebrate of his rich life. He was an inspiration to people from all over the world for what he achieved over the 42 years after he left the White House. One of his major commitments was his steadfast involvement in the growth of Habitat for Humanity, a global housing charity.

My wife and I were privileged to meet him a number of times in the mid-1980s when a group of us were trying to develop Habitat’s first project in New York City. Our challenge was to renovate a six-storey building, which had been destroyed by fire except for the outside shell, so that local people in need of housing could call it home. Habitat had minimal name recognition and virtually no financial resources at the time. Without the impact of President Carter’s two trips to New York to work alongside volunteers, including business leaders, I’m almost certain we would not have finished restoring the 26 apartments.

We will never forget the day he arrived in Manhattan in 1984 with two busloads of volunteers from Plains. Not only did President and Mrs Carter travel with the volunteers on the two-day bus journey, but on that first night they were going to sleep on camp beds alongside the other volunteers. We had the privilege of talking to them on the steps of the church after they had finished their evening meal.

For most of their years after the White House, the former President and Mrs Carter enjoyed building with Habitat once a year on projects in many countries. Without their commitment and impact, hundreds of thousands of people in need of decent and affordable houses would not have them, and Habitat for Humanity Great Britain may well not have existed today.

His servant leadership will never be forgotten.

Words by: Ian Whitehead

Habitat for Humanity Great Britain Trustee