Cricket Star Steve Waugh Helps Habitat for Humanity Build Homes in India During the 23rd Annual 'Jimmy Carter Work Project'

Lonavala, Maharashtra, India

Australian cricket star Steve Waugh joined thousands of volunteers in helping build simple, decent homes during Habitat for Humanity's annual Jimmy Carter Work Project.The 2006 project will see 100 homes built in a village near Lonavala,Oct. 30 - Nov.3,2006 .

"Habitat for Humanity builds cannot succeed without volunteerism, preparation and planning," said Waugh. "Volunteers have to bring passion to what they believe in and what they are creating."

More than 2,000 volunteers from North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and from across India are taking part in building homes in partnership with low-income families from the Lonavala area.

"We are grateful for Steve's support at this year's JCWP," said Steve Weir, senior vice president of Habitat's Asia Pacific Area office."He is making a difference in the life of a family in need of housing and also helping to inspire others to join us."

Waugh is known as the "man with nerves of steel" for his skills on the cricket field.Waugh served as captain of the Australian team from 1999 to 2004.He also is the most experienced Test cricketer in history, making 168 appearances.Waugh is a philanthropist, who supports many causes including the Steve Waugh Foundation - Australia .He was named Australian of the Year in 2004 for his achievements in cricket and charity. Waugh and his wife, Lynette, have three children.In 2005, he was named Australian Father of the Year.

This year's JCWP is associated with Habitat for Humanity India's " indiaBUILDS" program.The five-year campaign plans to engage 1 million volunteers in helping to provide shelter in partnership with 250,000 people.The campaign also seeks to raise funds for a sustainable revolving fund worth US$50 million.

The Carters are Habitat's most famous volunteers.Each year since 1984, the Carters have given one week of their time to build homes and raise awareness about the need for simple, decent and affordable housing.Previous JCWP events have been held in the United States (in New York City, Georgia and Michigan), the Philippines, Hungary , South Korea and South Africa.Habitat's JCWP 2007 will be in Los Angeles,California in USA.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity's Jimmy Carter Work Project, visit www.habitat.org/jcwp/2006/.

Major partners include Citigroup, Dow India, Vedanta Resources, Posco India, Whirlpool Corporation, Cisco, HDFC Ltd., Aditya Birla Group and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International is a global non-governmental organization that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in the United States in 1976, Habitat has built more than 200,000 houses in nearly 100 countries, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1 million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org/ap

To view the photographs click the links below:

http://businesswireindia.com/attachments/Pic1(9).JPG

http://businesswireindia.com/attachments/Pic2(5).JPG

Duane Bates - Internationally Outside Asia Pacific, Habitat for Humanity, + 91 932 672 7719 dbates@habitat.org

Peter Witton - Asia Pacific, Habitat for Humanity, + 852 909 72014 pwitton@habitat.org

Source: Habitat for Humanity India (Business Wire India)

Press release presented here is sourced from the Source mentioned above and is provided on as-is basis. Please contact the Company / Source directly for any further information in regard to this release. This website will be unable to assist you in regard to the accuracy or correctness of information in this release.