Over 10,000 youths to take part in building homes; Bollywood actor John Abraham among celebrities who have pledged support
Bangkok, 28th February 2013 – Habitat for Humanity today launched its Habitat Youth BUILD 2013 campaign, the second year the event is held after its successful kick-off last year. The annual event is aimed at tapping Asia’s youths to fight poverty housing in Asia-Pacific.
“Living in a decent home helps break the cycle of poverty. By putting their social networks to good use, raising awareness and funds, Asia’s youths can really make a difference to the lives of thousands of people in the region. They did it last year, and they’re doing it again this year – it’s a growing movement of young people saying no to substandard housing,” said Rick Hathaway, Habitat for Humanity vice president for Asia-Pacific.
Youths in nine countries – China, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand – will campaign on- and offline over the next two months to garner support for the movement and raise vital funds to tackle poverty housing in the region.
Activities in support of the campaign have been planned across Asia-Pacific over the next two months. They include ‘Raise the roof’, a youth conference in India focused on affordable housing, which will take place on 22 March. Over in the Philippines and Indonesia, Habitat will approach schools to sign up supporters; and in Nepal, Habitat will work with the Ministry for Youth and Sports and partners across the country to galvanize young Nepalese to take part in the movement.
Various celebrities and inspirational youth ambassadors have already pledged their support. They include Bollywood actor John Abraham, Hong Kong pop singer Jade Kwan and renowned young architect Fai Au, actor Matteo Guidicelli, Big Brother winner Slater Young, basketball star Chris Tiu from the Philippines, and Habitat Philippines Youth Council chair Alex Eduque.
Thai pop singer and pianist, Tor Saskit, who volunteered at a build site last year, said: “There is no better feeling than bringing a smile to someone’s face. If we learn to sacrifice personal happiness and instead give to others, especially to those less-fortunate, I believe we can all live rewarding lives.”
Also launched today is an animated video, which Habitat for Humanity national organizations across the region will use to promote Habitat Youth BUILD 2013 and attract new supporters.
To find out more about Habitat Youth BUILD 2013 and to watch the video, visit http://facebook.com/HabitatYouthBuildHYB
A regional T-shirt design competition will kick off tomorrow (1 March), with an iPad mini up for grabs for the winning design. Chosen by popular online vote, the selected design will be worn by more than 10,000 young people building homes on 27 April.
To take part in the T-shirt design competition, visit give2habitat.org/hyb/tshirtvote
Habitat Youth BUILD 2013 builds on last year’s success that involved more than one million online supporters and 5,000 people building in five countries on one day. The event raised over US$1 million and helped more than 700 low-income families.
To support Habitat Youth BUILD 2013 and start your own fundraising page, visit give2habitat.org/campaign/youthbuild2013.
Notes to Editors
To set up interviews, receive photography or further information, please contact Heron Holloway, +65 9068 1892, hholloway@habitat.org
About Habitat Youth BUILD 2013
Habitat for Humanity Youth BUILD 2013 is a movement to raise awareness of the terrible poverty housing situation in the Asia-Pacific region and grow support for the vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. It calls for concerned young people to take action together to build homes and communities, on a Habitat build site and online through their social networks.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is a global nonprofit Christian housing organization that brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has served more than 600,000 families by building and improving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. An estimated 176,000 of these families are in the Asia-Pacific region, where Habitat has been active since 1983. For more information, to donate or to volunteer, please visit http://habitat.org/asiapacific or follow us at http://facebook.com/habitat.
oooOOOooo
Heron Holloway
Media Relations and Disaster Communications Manager, Asia-Pacific
Habitat for Humanity International • Asia-Pacific Satellite Office
56 Lorong 23 Geylang, #05-00, Century Technology Building, Singapore 388381
Tel: +65 6744 2768 • Mobile: +65 9068 1892 • Skype: heron.holloway
hholloway@habitat.org• habitat.org/asiapacific | What will you build?