Habitat for Humanity is a world-class non-profit whose mission is to work with partner families to build simple, affordable housing in the world. I've volunteered with Habitat for 15 years and have been amazed at the work and passion their employees and volunteers bring to each build.
A few things about Habitat made me particularly excited to work with them closely:
1) Their model is one of sustainable growth: once funds are raised to support building a home, the partner family has a zero-interest mortgage they pay off over time. The mortgage payments then are used to build additional homes. This has been the successful growth model that Habitat has used to provide housing to over 1 million people in the world.
2) Habitat believes in close partnership with communities and families: each family must invest "sweat equity" to help build the house, and must show that they are active, upstanding members of their community.
3) Housing is an especially critical issue in developing areas and Habitat's work has huge impact: a recent study found that children under 5 living in Habitat homes had 44% lesss malaria and other disease than children in traditional houses. Countless studies show that housing greatly increases a family's stability in their community and reduces family violence.
I've been honored to invest my time in Habitat over the years. I hope you'll join me in helping Habitat make a difference in Bolivia.
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