About NepalHome to the majestic Mount Everest, landlocked Nepal is also one of the world’s poorest countries. A 2010/2011 na-tional survey on living standards estimated that 25 percent of the population lives on the equivalent of less than US$1 a day.

In highly rural Nepal, the decade-long civil war that ended in 2006 drove many people to seek safety in the cities. Kath-mandu valley houses more than half the urban population, according to the United Nations. Increasing rural-urban migration and soaring land prices made it difficult for the poor to afford housing, based on data from a UN-HABITAT study.

According to the Nepali government, about 9.5 million peo-ple or 41 percent of the population live in inadequate housing. Such structures are typically supported by bam-boo or old timber pillars, with mud walls and thatched roof. Water is often unsanitary and few dwellings have toilets or electricity.

These dilapidated houses are also a fire risk; nearly 10,000 families lose their homes to fire every year. Thousands of others have their houses destroyed by landslides, floods and other natural disasters each year.

About PokharaScenic Pokhara is Nepal’s second largest city, with a popula-tion of nearly 265,000. Known as the Jewel in the Himalaya, the city is said to be the ultimate destination for relaxation as well as adventure. Pokhara, located about 200 kilometers west of the capital Kathmandu, is the gateway to trekkers heading to the Annapurna Circuit. The city commands a view of three mountain peaks, each over 8,000 meters. Lakeside a resort town of hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops has sprung along the shore of the picturesque Phewa Lake. For the outdoor type, activities include trekking, paragliding, mountain-biking, rafting and boating. The culturally inclined can check out museums, temples and tea houses.

Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project

For 31 years, former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, have given a week of their time to help Habitat for Humanity improve and build homes in the United States and in countries around the world. Their work helps raise awareness of the critical need for simple, decent and afford-able housing.

In 2015, the Carters will focus their efforts on Pokhara, Nepal, as Habitat for Humanity Nepal hosts Habitat’s 32nd annual Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project. More than2,000 national and international volunteers will join the Carters from Sunday 1 November to Friday 6 November 2015. The volunteers will build homes together with infor-mal settlers, many of whom are seasonal laborers who earn a living as farm hands or construction workers.

Over more than three decades Carter Work Projects have built 3,943 homes and brought together nearly more than 92,200 volunteers in 14 countries.

This is the fifth time that the Carter Work Project will be held in Asia.

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Ezra Millstein

EZRA MILLSTEIN

Kathmandu

Pokhara

N E P A L

C H I N A

I N D I A

Population: 31 million (July 2014 est.)

Ethnic groups: Chhettri 16.6%, Brahman-Hill 12.2%, Magar 7.1%, Tharu 6.6%, Tamang 5.8%, Newar 5%, Kami 4.8%, Muslim 4.4%, Yadav 4%, Rai 2.3%, Gurung 2%, Damai/Dholii 1.8%, Thakuri 1.6%, Limbu 1.5%, Sarki 1.4%, Teli 1.4%, Chamar/Harijan/Ram 1.3%, Koiri/Kushwaha 1.2%, other 19%

Urbanization: 17 percent lives in cities (2011)

Languages: Nepali (official) 44.6%, Maitha li 11.7%, Bhojpuri 6%, Tharu 5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newar 3.2%, Magar 3%, Bajjika 3%, Urdu 2.6%, Avadhi 1.9%, Limbu 1.3%, Gurung 1.2%, other 10.4%, unspecified 0.2% Religions: Hindu 81.3%, Buddhist 9%, Muslim 4.4%, Kirant 3.1%, Christian 1.4%, other 0.5%, unspecifed 0.2% (2011 est.) Life expectancy: 67 years Unemployment: 46 percent (2008) Population living below poverty line: 25.2 percent (2011 est.) Access to improved water sources: 88.1 percent (2012 est.) Access to improved sanitation facilities: 36.7 percent (2012 est.)

About Habitat for Humanity NepalHabitat for Humanity Nepal began its work in 1997, and since mid-2005, activities have been organized as a branch of Habitat for Humanity International. In the eight years to 2005, Habitat for Humanity Nepal helped 830 families to build decent housing. In a strategic decision to increase its impact, HFH Nepal began to leverage on partnerships with non-government organizations, microfinance institutions, and village lending and savings groups. In June 2011, HFH Nepal celebrated its 10,000th family served and by mid-2014, more than 54,000 families have been helped.

HFH Nepal works with various community level organiza-tions in 35 districts to increase its impact by reaching out to poorer communities. The result is a cost-effective and en-vironmental-friendly housing program delivered through partnerships with non-government organizations, microf-inance institutions, and village lending and savings groups. HFH Nepal also aims to make a difference through partner-ships with the government and celebrity ambassadors. Spe-cial events such as the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Proj-ect, Everest Build, and Habitat Youth BUILD help to raise awareness of the need for decent housing. Together with its partners, HFH Nepal is currently building 2.3 houses per hour.

Volunteer recruitment for the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project is currently underway. For more information, please contactHabitat for Humanity New ZealandKosala KrishnanPhone: (09) 579 4111 ext 221Email: kkrishnan@habitat.org.nz

Mikel Flamm