I am for Human Rights and Peace, says Jimmy Carter

Lonavala, Maharashtra, Oct 30 (UNI) Former American President Jimmy Carter, who is camping at Patan village near here in connection with the annual Jimmy Carter Work Project (JWCP) organised by the Habitat for Humanity (HFH), today said the world and future generations should know him as a man for ''Human Rights and Peace''.

In his first interaction with the media after initiating the five-day JWCP to build 100 homes for the poor and needy, Mr Carter said, ''I am elated by the generous response of the people and volunteers, to make the 23rd JWCP a success. Every year, I along with my wife dedicate a week to build homes for the poor around the world and India and the Carter family has a long history of interrelations.'' He said volunteerism must be encouraged to share life with others and to help build communities across the world. Corporate institutions around the world should be encouraged to share their incomes to make this a better place by building more homes for the poor and needy, Mr Carter asserted.

Highlighting the plight of destitutes in New York and India, he said housing is a great need to combat poverty, illnesses and other social evils. The resources to combat the need of urgent housing can easily be met by collective volunteerism, he said.

He said the homes built by the JCWP through HFH are not a charity. All those who will be provided homes, will pay interest-free instalments to cover the cost of construction in a span of eight years.

The JWCP, Habitat, low-cost homes being built at Patan village cost Rs 75,000 each. Every member who has been allotted a home, will initially pay a down payment of Rs 25,000 through the local Abinav Cooperative Society, and the remaining amount of Rs 50,000 is to be paid as interest free instalments in a span of eight years.

The ongoing five-day JWCP is being undertaken by a strong force of more than 2,000 volunteers from the Asia Pacific, Europe and the America. The homes are being built in partnership with low-income families from the area in partnership with the local Abinav Cooperative Society.

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