Many people in the Fargo-Moorhead area know that Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity works to eliminate substandard housing within our community. In fact, by the end of the current build season, we’ll have built 45 homes in the area. But did you know that we also contribute on a much larger scale?
Each year, our local affiliate tithes to Habitat for Humanity International. And thanks to those efforts, we’ve helped build roughly 28 homes in other parts of the world. So as World Habitat Day approaches on October 3rd, we’d like to take the time to remember and honor the mission of our international organization.
Today, 1.6 billion people live in inadequate shelter around the world. Habitat for Humanity has a tried and tested partnership approach that makes families in need of shelter a key part of their own housing solution. We work hard with volunteers and donors who invest time and money into the partnership- so that families in need of housing can help build, then buy, their own home on terms they can afford.
Habitat for Humanity’s 500,000th house built, rehabilitated or repaired worldwide will be dedicated in Maai Mahiu, Kenya, on World Habitat Day, Oct. 3rd.
World Habitat Day is designated each year by the United Nations as a time to reflect on the dire need for adequate shelter around the globe. This year’s date is extra special, as Habitat for Humanity will be dedicating its 500,000th house in Maai Mahiu, Kenya, and raising the walls on its 500,001st house in Paterson, New Jersey. A significant milestone in the work Habitat for Humanity has done to alleviate poverty housing in this community and around the world.
The theme of World Habitat Day 2011 is “Housing cities after a disaster,” a serious and growing problem around the world. From Haiti and Japan to New Orleans and Memphis, urban areas face different and great challenges when responding to disasters. These dangers and challenges require effective and creative policies from governments and humanitarian groups around the world.
Volunteer hard at work on one of the 5 homes Habitat for Humanity is building in Cass and Clay counties in 2011.
Since our local Habitat affiliate doesn’t have a build day scheduled for the 3rd, we’ll be observing World Habitat Day on Wednesday, October 5th, at the Thrivent Build site in Fargo. As our volunteers work on trim and cabinet installations, we’ll be reflecting on the mission and goals of Habitat for Humanity International.
We invite you to join us for this humbling, yet very rewarding experience. There is still time this season to join us on a build site. Visit our website for a complete list of available volunteer dates. For more information on Habitat for Humanity’s work around the globe, visit www.habitat.org.
With your help, we can change the reality for future generations in our community and around the globe.
