Karen Wurster

Thailand’s National Housing Authority estimates nearly 8.2 million of the country’s 67 million inhabitants live in substandard housing.

Poverty is widespread in the rural northeast, far north and far south of the country. Migration from rural areas has placed a strain upon the supply of affordable land. Migrants face high rent for small rooms and often live in overcrowded areas without proper sanitation. Squatter settlements are commonly seen along railway lines or near port and industrial areas.In addition to its traditional homebuilding model, Habitat Thailand uses a progressive building model in which homeowner partners construct a two-room core house with an open space, then add rooms and walls after three years or once a certain amount of the initial mortgage is repaid.

Global Village is Habitat for Humanity’s international volunteer program. Teams travel to over 40 countries to work alongside communities, build housing solutions, and experience local culture. Our goal is to change the lives of the people we serve, as well as the lives of the volunteers.

To join a team or learn more, visit www.habitat.org/gv.

About Habitat for Humanity International 

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 1,300 communities throughout the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.