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Mind, mind, a decent home matters
Radhu in front of her home in India. Photo: Habitat for Humanity India's Facebook page. |
Rachel Swann from Fiji. |
An 18-year-old student from Fiji and a Habitat leader from India share similar thoughts when it comes to housing. “Decent and affordable homes allow one to seek shelter, protection and privacy. This is a basic human right which enables the development of a healthy state of mind,” says Rachel Swann from Fiji, one of the winners of the youth essay competition organized under the Pacific Peoples Housing Forum (see more below). Rajan Samuel, managing director of Habitat for Humanity India, agrees. In his opinion piece, he states that decent housing is vital to reducing stress and boosting physical and mental health.
News
Pacific voices
Penehuro Fatu Lefale gave a presentation on climate change. |
More than 100 delegates at the first-ever Pacific Peoples Housing Forum heard from key speakers such as Jenny Salesa, New Zealand’s Minister for Building and Construction, and Penehuro Fatu Lefale, international climate and policy analyst. The three essay competition winners from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga were also part of a youth panel. The May 17 event concluded with recommendations for more and better homes for Pacific people including a potential rent-to-buy option from the Kiwi government and increasing access to housing finance. The Auckland conference is a preliminary event under the Asia-Pacific Housing Forum.
Metricon partners with Habitat Australia
Habitat’s cause won the heart of Australian home builder Metricon that will also be supporting another local charity. Habitat Australia will receive more than A$1 million (almost US$692,000) funding over the three-year partnership that includes in-kind support through volunteering and skills sharing. Learn more.
Disaster response
Help cyclone-hit families in India's Odisha
Habitat India will assist families through the distribution of humanitarian aid kits and emergency shelter kits.
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Cyclone Fani slammed into the eastern coast of India and forced the evacuation of more than 1 million people in early May. Habitat for Humanity India is seeking funding to distribute humanitarian aid kits containing items such as tarpaulin sheets, rope, blanket, water filter and hygiene kit to 5,000 affected families. Another 3,000 families will be helped through emergency shelter kits comprising corrugated galvanized iron sheets, nails, hand saw and other items. Please donate on Habitat India’s website or through crowdfunding platform Ketto or Amazon India on the same page.
Other
Change reaction
Something happens when his students volunteer with Habitat, says Steve Owen (right). A teacher at the American International School of Guangzhou, he advises the campus chapter that has supported Habitat China for more than a decade. “Habitat builds help them see with their own eyes how people benefit when there is an organized effort to lift people up and lend a hand toward helping them have a better life. It also helps them be humble and grateful, in light of the privileged backgrounds almost all of them come from.” Read more.
Professor is Habitat Korea's ambassador
Habitat Korea's national director Joy Sohn (left) with Professor Seo. |
The new ambassador for Habitat Korea is a celebrity in his own right. Professor Kyongduk Seo of Sungshin Women's University is known as a publicity expert who promotes the Korean culture globally. His partnership with Habitat Korea comes at a time when the country is marking the 100th anniversary of its independence movement.
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