Asia and the Pacific

The housing need of Asia and the Pacific rises rapidly with its population growth. By 2030, 2.6 billion people will inhabit the region while 2.2 billion of those will be seeking better lives. In recent years, a majority of people have migrated to the cities that are, increasingly, unprepared for the population influx. A lack of adequate shelter creates slum environments. Two-thirds of the world’s people who live in slums come from this region. They live in unsafe areas and overcrowded conditions without access to clean water or sanitation. Disease, crime, unemployment and malnutrition are the realities they face.

Habitat for Humanity believes that decent housing is a basic human right. From the islands of Malaysia to the giant landmass of China, Habitat for Humanity operates in 29 Asian and Pacific nations. They organize volunteers, educate the population on housing needs, fund raise and build. Since its humble beginning in 1983 in India, Habitat has built over 45,000 homes for 230,000 people in this region. Families purchase these homes through a no interest mortgage and personal building efforts. Habitat families are involved in every step of the building process. Ownership of a home restores feelings of value and pride for families in Asia and the Pacific.

Japan

What is your name? Yukiko Suzuki
Onamae wa nan desu ka? Suzuki Yukiko desu.
お名前は何ですか？ 鈴木 雪子です。

Where are you from? Shizuoka
Shyushin wa doko desuka? shizuoka desu.
終身はどこですか？ 静岡です。

What language do you speak? Japanese
Nango o hanasemasuka? Nihongo desu.
何語を話せますか？ 日本語です。

Are you a boy or girl? Girl
Anata wa otokonoko desuka, soredemo onnanoko desuka? Onnanoko desu.
あなたは男の子ですか、それでも女の子ですか？ 女の子です。

How old are you? 6 years old
Nansai desuka? Rokusai desu.
何才ですか？ 六才です。

What year are you in school? 1st grade.
Nannensee desuka? Ichinensee desu.
何年生ですか？ 一年生です。

What do you study at school? Math and Japanese
Gakkou de nani o benkyoushiteimasuka? Nihongo to sansuu desu.
学校で何を勉強していますか？ 日本語と算数です。

What religion are you? Buddhist
Shyukyou wa nan desuka? Bukkyou desu.
宗教は何ですか？ 仏教です。

What is your favorite…
Ichiban sukinano wa…
一番好きなのは。。。 What do you like to do? Play videogames.
Nani o surunoga suki desuka? Terebigemu desu.
何をするのが好きですか？ テレビゲームです。

What does your house look like? It is made of mostly wood. It is small, but comfortable. One room has a tatami mat floor.
Anata no ie wa donna fuu desuka? Watashi no ie wa omo ni ki de dekiteite, chisaikeredo ka iteki desu. Tatami no heya ga hitotsu alrimasu.
あなたの家はどんなふうですか？ 私の家は主に木でできていて、小さいけれどがいてきです。たたみの部屋が一つあります。

Who lives with you? My father and mother.
Dare to isshyoni sundeimasuka? Otoosan to Okaasan desu.
誰とうっしょに住んでいますか？ お父さんとお母さんとです。

What do you do on an average day? Go to school and study.
Fudan wa nani o shiteimasuka? Gakkou ni itte benkyoushiteimasu.
普段は何をしていますか？ 学校に行って勉強しています。