Habitat for Humanity to host Ivy Leaguer Build

Alumni of premier business and technical schools come together to give back to the community

Providing an opportunity for the alumni of premier business and technical schools and universities, both from India and abroad, to give back to the community, Habitat for Humanity India today announced that it will be hosting the Ivy Leaguers Build from February 11-12, 2011 in Karjat, Maharashtra.

The Governor of Maharashtra, His Excellency, Shri K. Sankaranarayanan will grace the event as the Chief Guest. Mrs. Rajashree Birla, Chairperson, IndiaBUILDS, and Mr. Ron Terwilliger, Chairperson, Habitat for Humanity’s Global World of Hope Campaign, will be the guests of honour.

The initiative creates a platform for alumni of Ivy-League and leading colleges and universities from across the globe and India to work hand-in-hand with its partner organizations, CEOs and other philanthropic leaders to build decent, affordable homes with local families in urgent need of shelter.

Volunteers will swap their offices for a construction site for two days. The Build offers a shining example of the good that is done when individuals, families and communities come together to create an India where everyone has a decent place to call home.

“The ultimate goal of Habitat for Humanity is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the face of the earth by building adequate and holistic communities, “ said Dino L. Touthang, CEO of Habitat for Humanity India. “Since 1983, over 35,000 houses have been constructed providing safe shelter to around 175,000 less fortunate citizens of the country. Given the immense need for decent housing, Habitat’s approach goes beyond just undertaking its own building programs. It also acts as a catalyst for improving housing conditions by offering Habitat’s support and experience to other groups and partners.”

John Abraham is one of Habitat for Humanity’s Global Heroes. As a Habitat Hero, John Abraham uses his influence and reaches around the world to advocate on behalf of those in need of decent shelter and also help raise resources for Habitat to achieve its vision. The unwavering support of Bollywood stars R. Madhavan and Jacqueline Fernandez has also been pivotal in enabling HFH India create widespread awareness of its initiatives.

Habitat for Humanity has also initiated a series of campaigns in India to help drive awareness. Habitat for Humanity’s Jimmy Carter Work Project 2006 brought together thousands of volunteers in Malawali near Lonavala to build houses with local families in need.

In addition, the Women IndiaBUILDS programme is another initiative of Habitat of Humanity that enables women from economically well-off backgrounds to match the collective savings of women self-help groups, from some of the poorest families in India.