International superstar and advocate for children partners with Habitat for
Humanity to build 224 homes
AMERICUS, Ga., April 25 /PRNewswire/ -- After a visit to the affected
regions following the tsunami in December 2004, Ricky Martin comes to the aid
of children around the world affected by the tragedy by partnering with
Habitat for Humanity to build and restore an initial 224 houses as part of a
more extensive project in Phang Nga province, Thailand.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050425/CLM038 )
The Ricky Martin Foundation donation will help more than 1,000 people move
out of temporary shelters or overcrowded camps. No longer threatened by
disease, crime and overcrowding, these initial 224 families will move into
simple, safe shelters where they can piece their lives back together.
Martin visited Thailand shortly after the Dec. 26th tsunami ravaged the
Indian Ocean basin. There, he told reporters at the Foreign Affairs Ministry,
"After looking at those images on television, it was impossible for me to stay
at home with my arms crossed." Upon arrival, he began to explore ways to show
his concern for the country and its people.
"Ricky Martin's gift mirrors our mission - to demonstrate love through
action," said Paul Leonard, chief executive officer of the global nonprofit
homebuilder. "His gift will help rebuild not only homes, but families who lost
more than possessions in the tidal surge; giving mothers, fathers and,
especially the children, hope and opportunity."
"Solidarity transcends borders, race, and cultures. This case is an
excellent model of how governments and the private sector can successfully
unite for the well-being of humanity," said Angel Saltos; executive director
of the San Juan, Puerto Rico-based Ricky Martin Foundation.
Habitat for Humanity has been working in Thailand since 1998 and has built
more than 470 homes there. Operations have been set up in Phang Nga in
southern Thailand. There, plans are being developed to provide for
consultation and construction of new homes and repair. Habitat for Humanity is
establishing a Disaster Response Training Center, a facility where people can
learn skills such as how to use tools, earn a wage and help manufacture
building materials for the reconstruction effort. The Center also provides a
regular income for wage earners who lost their livelihoods in the tsunami.
Housing remains a key concern, Foundation officials say, providing a safe
haven for children who may have been left orphaned or who may be spending too
much time alone as their families struggle for normalcy in their lives. "It
would be too easy for these children, given the chaos and dislocation, to be
further victimized by those who exploit them," said Martin. "A home gives them
a place to be: safety in numbers, shelter from storms - potential and real."
The Ricky Martin Foundation project is part of a larger Habitat program to
benefit 1,000 tsunami victim-families in Phang Nga Province. The project,
estimated at $2.8 million, will be funded by the foundation gift and other
donations to Habitat's tsunami relief fund. Work is expected to begin in April
and be completed by March 2007.
About the Ricky Martin Foundation
The Ricky Martin Foundation, located in San Juan, Puerto Rico, monitors
and combats a range of problems relating to the abuse and exploitation of
children, trafficking in persons and related issues. The organization also
works in areas such as education, health and human development in
general. http://www.rickymartinfoundation.org
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International, based in Americus, Ga., is an
ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing. By the
end of 2005, Habitat will have built its 200,000th house and more than one
million people will be living in Habitat homes they helped build and are
buying through no-profit, zero-interest mortgages. http://www.habitat.org
SOURCE Habitat for Humanity International
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Related links:
http://www.habitat.org
http://www.rickymartinfoundation.org
Photo Notes:
NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050425/CLM038
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org AP PhotoExpress
Network: PRN3 PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Joedy Isert, +1-229-924-6935, ext. 2330, or
jisert@hfhi.org , or Jennifer Lindsey, +1-202-270-2030, or
jlindsey@hfhi.org , both of Habitat for Humanity International
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