Attraction Spotlights Habitat Houses, Poverty

With its Global Village & Discovery Center in Americus, Ga., Habitat for Humanity International is bringing home the importance of decent, affordable housing. Intended to raise awareness of poverty housing globally and draw more people into Habitat's self-help approach to overcoming it, the Global Village hosted a grand opening celebration June 7, featuring international music, food, children's activities and an afternoon dedication by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.

The Global Village is in Phase 1, but when completed, the six-acre project will include more than 35 houses that reflect Habitat building materials and techniques throughout the world, along with samples of substandard housing from various countries. Adding to the experience will be a Habitat historical exhibit, a marketplace and performances that provide further insight into distant cultures and the need for housing around the world. For more information, call (800) 422-4828, ext. 2338, or visit www.habitat.org/GVDC/.

Decent housing and Habitat's mission to build it are not the only educational experiences visitors can encounter when coming to Sumter County. Sumter County is home to two national historic sites: the Andersonville Civil War prison camp, (229) 924-0343, and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter's boyhood home, school and the Plains railroad depot, which served as his campaign headquarters during the 1976 presidential campaign, (229) 824-4104.

--Shawn Reeves