Over 10,000 young people to gather for Habitat Youth BUILD 2013 and say ‘no’ to poverty housing
Activities to take place at 42 sites in seven countries across Asia
(From top) Students spell out YOUTH BUILD in India, visually impaired participants raise awareness while rafting in Nepal, TV personality and actor Purab Kohli supports the movement, young people in India use theater arts to learn how to be prepared for a disaster.
Bangkok, 26th April 2013 – Over 10,000 young people will stand up against poverty housing tomorrow. They will gather in 42 sites in across Asia to collectively build, repair and rehabilitate homes, or raise funds for and awareness on low-income families living in sub-standard shelter.
A large proportion of volunteers will be in Nepal to complete construction of 100 homes, so that low-income families across the country have a decent place to live. Volunteers in Nepal will also hold awareness-raising events such as a football competition, song composition and mass-participation hand-holding event.
Their counterparts in China, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal and the Philippines will be engaged in a variety of other related activities as well.
For the last two months, thousands of Asia’s youth have supported the Habitat Youth BUILD campaign both online and offline. Asian celebrities such as Bollywood star John Abraham, Cambodian singer Ouk Sokun Kanha, Hong Kong model Kelly Fu, and Philippines’ Big Brother winner Slater Young, have also chimed in on the issue of poverty housing.
The latest celebrity supporter to add his weight to the campaign is Indian actor, model and TV host Purab Kohli: “Youth are coming together to take a collective stand for decent homes as a basic human right on April 27th. Join us!”
Check out Purab Kohli’s video for Habitat Youth BUILD: facebook/HabitatYouthBuildHYB
Amongst the families that will supported with a new home as part of Habitat Youth BUILD is Sabitri Chaudhary, 36, her husband Sabur Lal Chaudhary, 37, and their four children, who live in Sunsari district, southern Nepal.
Sharing her dream about having a decent home, Sabitri said: “The word ‘parent’ is a respected and responsible word but it doesn’t mean anything until we have fulfilled the basic needs of our children. I believe we can provide a safe future for our children only when there is a safe shelter for them. We are longing to be responsible parents so that our children will have a place to rest and play. We won’t let our hopes die and are waiting for the day when our children will see sunshine through the window of their new home.”
Rick Hathaway, Habitat for Humanity vice president for Asia-Pacific, added: “Young people who aren’t able to take part in events on 27 April are invited to join the campaign online instead. Take to Twitter and use #habitatyouthbuild to make your voice count, or change your Facebook profile pic and like the Habitat Youth BUILD page. The more people we can get focused on tackling poverty housing, the better.
“27 April will not mark the end of the Habitat Youth BUILD 2013 campaign. Young volunteers across the region plan to signal their intent to continue efforts to tackle poverty housing by taking part in pledge activities, like signing a banner or voicing a commitment. Join them and help create a world where everyone has a decent place to live.”