November 8, 2005 – Hong Kong

Every Habitat story begins with a dream. The ultimate dream, on which our organization was founded, is a world where every man, woman and child has a safe, decent and affordable place to call home.

Throughout the world, Habitat staff, supporters and volunteers are working to make that dream a reality in their own neighborhoods, in their countries and around the globe.

Tonight I was privileged to be present as Habitat for Humanity Hong Kong began to turn their dream into a reality. The organization was formed in 2004 and received their official registration as a tax-exempt organization in Hong Kong on July 16, 2004. This evening was their first major public fund-raising event—a gala dinner and silent auction that attracted Hong Kong’s elite, well-known and well-placed. The event, appropriately titled “Dream & Reality,” would not have been possible without nearly one year of planning and hard work by a deeply committed benefit committee and members of the HFH Hong Kong board. I am so grateful for their enthusiasm and commitment.

Piaget was the title sponsor of this grand affair. Their support included a HK$1 million (US$128,000) donation for Habitat’s work in the region. Coca-Cola also presented a check for HK$1 million (US$128,000) for our tsunami reconstruction efforts in Sri Lanka. Other corporate sponsors showing their support at the event included Citigroup for our tsunami work in Thailand; PMI for local work in Hong Kong; and Dow Chemical for Habitat for Humanity projects in China.

Because of these generous corporate gifts, along with the silent auction and other fund-raising activities throughout the evening, the Dream & Reality gala netted nearly US$700,000 for Habitat for Humanity to help families in need of housing. This outpouring of Asian-based support for programs within Asia was immensely touching, and also a very strong and exciting example of Habitat’s growth and sustainability. We were founded in the United States, but we are truly a global organization.

Although the black-tie event was a far cry from our humble beginnings, to me it shows how Habitat’s dream is catching on in every strata of society. Whether volunteering time and energy on a build site, giving of one’s knowledge and expertise in a Habitat office or donating part of one’s good fortune—people around the world are showing that they truly care. What a blessing!

I was also pleased to be able to meet with some of the HFH Hong Kong board members to learn about their plans for expansion, the challenges they have faced and the successes they have already achieved. One of their innovative activities in Hong Kong is the “Home Safety and Improvement Program,” through which volunteers are renovating homes for elderly people who are living on their own. Volunteers who are interested in traveling outside the city have joined Global Village trips in the Philippines, Thailand, Fiji, Sri Lanka and Vanuatu. And they have exciting plans to do more work in mainland China.

The excitement for these programs was so evident in the voices of all those I met in Hong Kong during this brief visit. I am looking forward to returning in the future to see how their ministry is growing and how much they have achieved through God’s love and support.