November 16, 2009 13:40 PM

Ex-US President Carter Builds Houses For Poor In Mekong

By D. Arul Rajoo

CHIANGMAI, Nov 16 (Bernama) -- A former president of the world's sole super power, Chinese, Korean and Bollywood celebrities, Japan's football legend and over 3,000 volunteers began a five-day project to build houses for the region's poorest communities.

Eighty-five-year-old former US President and Nobel Peace laureate Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, 82, led the annual Habitat for Humanity organisation campaign to build and repair 166 homes in Thailand, Vietnam, China, Cambodia and Laos - all countries along the Mekong River.

Arranging bricks and plastering cement under the extreme heat, the Carters were joined by Hong Kong film star Jet Li, South Korean TV and acting sensation Lee Seo Jin, Bollywood stars John Abraham, Pooja Bedi and Madhavan, Japan's ex-footballer Hidetoshi Nakata and dozens of other well-known figures.

"Many of us are rich and have our own talent. It's difficult for us to break the barrier with the poor without showing we are superior ... the several hundred hours we spent in the project allows us to break the barrier," he told the media at the Nong Kon Kru village, San Sai district, here.

Carter, who was president from 1977 to 1981, said many people often underestimated poor families, but working with them during the one-week period showed how hard working and dedicated these people were in accomplishing certain tasks.

"Over 3,000 people from 25 nations are working in five countries in five days to help the poorest people living along the Mekong. About one fifth of the population lives in poverty, less than the equivalent of US$1 a day," said Habitat chief executive officer Jonathan Reckford.

But Carter, who has given one week of his time each year since 1984 to join the project, said Habitat, a US-based organisation with a presence in the region, was not giving the houses for free.

"Owners must pay the full price, which is equivalent to US$700 per house. Our goal does not end at the week, but it serves as the catalyst for us to build 50,000 houses in the Mekong area," he said.

In Thailand, over 5,000 houses had been built in the past 10 years and 82 are being constructed now.

Carter said the number 82 was chosen to honour the 82nd birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Dec 5.

"For volunteers, thanks for coming and go and finish your houses by Friday. For many volunteers, many had not achieved success in their lives, but here with own work, it became key to accomplishment (completing house)," he said.

-- BERNAMA

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