HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
REACHES 25 YEARS
Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical Christian ministry aimed at eliminating poverty housing worldwide. It is presently celebrating its founding 25 years ago in 1976 by Millard Fuller and his wife Linda Fuller. In those 25 years the organization has built more than 100,00 houses—shelter for more than half a million people around the globe.
Nearly 30 current or former heads of state from at least 26 nations were scheduled to work as volunteers during a single week in early August 2001. Participating in, and no doubt being the lead organizer of this "World Leaders Build," was former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. President Carter was himself in South Korea with that nation’s president, Kim Dae Jung. Presidents Kim and Carter were joined by some 9000 volunteers who hoped to construct 120 homes during the week.
At the same time President George W. Bush of the U.S. was participating in a "build" in Waco, Texas, and White House staff members were participating in a "build" in Fairfax, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C.
Also present in Korea was the Rev. Bob Edgar, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ, which has recently signed a "Memorandum of Understanding" spelling out the framework for future cooperative efforts at eliminating poverty housing.
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