Fuller and Habitat for Humanity Receive 2004 World Methodist Peace Award

Habitat for Humanity International and its founder/president Millard Fuller have been selected jointly as the recipient of the World Methodist Peace Award for 2004. The award is presented annually by the World Methodist Council to groups and individuals who have contributed substantially to peace, reconciliation and justice around the world. Fuller will accept the award during a Dec. 8 ceremony at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga.

With the award, the World Methodist Council honors Fuller and Habitat for Humanity for their work promoting dignity, self-respect and reconciliation in the lives of families across the globe. In Northern Ireland, for example, Protestants and Catholics have set aside differences and picked up hammers to build simple, decent Habitat housing. In the Middle East, Muslims and Christians work side by side building in true partnership, and in the United States, volunteers from all races, religions, social and economic backgrounds unite daily on Habitat build sites. For nearly 30 years, Habitat for Humanity has torn down the walls of hate and divisiveness around the world and replaced them with bridges of tolerance, understanding, compassion and housing that is affordable for families who need it.

The World Methodist Council is a Christian World Communion composed of 76 member denominations in 132 countries. Begun in 1977, the council's annual peace award is its highest honor. Previous recipients include former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, former South African President Nelson Mandela, former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and the late Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.

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Who We Are
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit Christian housing ministry that works both to eliminate poverty housing around the world and to make adequate housing a matter of conscience and action.

What We Do
Local Habitat for Humanity affiliates build and renovate houses in partnership with people in need, and then sell the houses to the homeowner partners. Homeowners are selected by local affiliates based on their need for housing, ability to repay a no-profit, no-interest mortgage and willingness to partner with Habitat by investing "sweat-equity" hours into the construction of their houses and others'. Mortgage payments contribute to a Fund for Humanity, which provides the money to build more houses. Because of Habitat's no-profit, no-interest loans, and because the houses are principally built with volunteer labor, mortgage payments are affordable for low-income partners.

Where We Work
Habitat for Humanity started in the United States in 1976, but today its work reaches around the world. Currently, more than 2,300 affiliates are at work in all 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Territory of Guam, and 99 other countries..

HFHI Affiliate Countries
Afghanistan | Angola | Antigua and Barbuda | Argentina | Armenia | Australia | Bangladesh | Belize | Bermuda | Bolivia | Botswana | Brazil | Bulgaria | Burundi | Cambodia | Cameroon | Canada | Cayman Islands | Central African Republic | Chile | China | Colombia | Costa Rica | Democratic Republic of Congo | Dominican Republic | East Timor | Ecuador | Egypt | El Salvador | Ethiopia | Fiji | Germany | Ghana | Great Britain | Guatemala | Guyana | Haiti | Honduras | Hungary | India | Indonesia | Ivory Coast | Jamaica | Japan | Jordan | Kenya | Kyrgyzstan | Laos | Lebanon | Lesotho | Liberia | Madagascar | Malawi | Macedonia | Malaysia | Mexico | Micronesia | Mongolia | Mozambique | Myanmar | Nepal | Netherlands | New Zealand | Nicaragua | Nigeria | Northern Ireland | Panama | Pakistan | Papua New Guinea | Paraguay | Peru | Philippines | Poland | Portugal | Republic of Ireland | Republic of Korea | Romania | Russia | Rwanda | Samoa | Senegal | Sierra Leone | Singapore | Slovenia | Solomon Islands | South Africa | Sri Lanka | Suriname | Tajikistan | Tanzania | Thailand | Trinidad and Tobago | Turkey | Uganda | United States, Territory of Guam and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico | Vanuatu | Venezuela | Vietnam | Zambia | Zimbabwe

You Can Help
Volunteers fill key roles in Habitat for Humanity's work, both on the construction site and in other positions such as family selection and support, fund raising and advocacy. For more information about becoming involved with Habitat for Humanity, please contact us at 121 Habitat St., Americus, GA 31709.