Nepal to host the 32nd annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project

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Oct 31, 2014, 10:00 ET

ATLANTA, Oct. 31, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Approximately 2,000 volunteers from around the world will pack their tools and take a trip to Nepal in November 2015 for Habitat for Humanity's 32nd annual Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project.

Scheduled to take place Nov. 1-6, 2015, former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, will lead volunteers as they build homes in Pokhara, Nepal's third largest city and home to three of the 10 highest mountains in the world. Pokhara is located 124 miles west of the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu.

"I've had the pleasure of traveling to Nepal many times and getting to know the rich culture, history and traditions of its people," said President Carter. "And we look forward to sharing that experience with the many volunteers who will travel with us to help Nepalese families build better lives for themselves."

Often referred to as Habitat for Humanity's "most famous volunteers," President and Mrs. Carter give a week of their time each year to help Habitat build, renovate or repair homes in order to shed light on the critical role decent housing plays in providing a path out of poverty. Carter Work Projects have been held in 15 countries including the United States, Mexico, Canada, Hungary, South Africa, South Korea, India, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, China, Laos, Vietnam and Haiti. In 2014, the Carter Work Project was held in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas.

"For more than three decades the Carters have continued their amazing efforts in support of affordable housing worldwide," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. "We look forward to partnering with the Carters once again as they lead thousands of volunteers to Nepal during the 2015 Carter Work Project."

At a special event in Kathmandu, Aruna Paul Simittrarachchi, country director of Habitat for Humanity Nepal; Rick Hathaway, Asia-Pacific vice president of Habitat for Humanity; Dr. Narayan Khadka, Minister of Urban Development for Nepal; Rabindra Adhikari, Constituent Assembly Member of Parliament for Nepal; and Prem Baniya, Youth Ambassador for Habitat for Humanity Nepal, announced the selection of Pokhara as the 2015 location of Habitat's signature project.

"Hosting the Carter Work Project in Nepal is a huge honor and will help draw attention to, and support for, our efforts to address the significant housing deficit in our country," said Simittrarachchi. "This will act as a catalyst to increase Habitat's impact in the country and help many more families in need of decent housing,"

For more information on how to volunteer for the 2015 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project, please visit habitat.org/cwp/2015.

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International's vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, Habitat has helped more than 4 million people construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes since 1976. Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and supports a variety of funding models that enable families with limited resources to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To learn more, donate or volunteer visit habitat.org.

About Habitat for Humanity Nepal
Habitat for Humanity Nepal brings together individuals, corporations and partner organizations to build homes with Nepalese families in need. Habitat for Humanity Nepal was established in 1997 to address the need for decent and affordable housing. Habitat for Humanity Nepal currently assists 2.4 families per hour and plans to serve 100,000 families by 2016. For more information, visit habitatnepal.org.

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SOURCE Habitat for Humanity International