Habitat for Humanity, an international non-profit organization started in the United States in 1976 with the vision of 'a world where everyone has a comfortable home'. founder
American lawyer Mila DeFuller introduced the concept of cooperative housing construction for the low-income earners and started building a house with sponsors, volunteers, and resident families.
In 1984, former US President Jimmy Carter participated as a volunteer, and it spread not only in the United States but also around the world.
Currently, Habitat is active in more than 78 countries around the world, spreading hope by building safe and comfortable homes and villages for people suffering from poor living conditions. This is because the living environment is an important factor influencing physical and psychological health, academic achievement, and job quality.
Habitat Korea was established in 1994 with the belief that a comfortable home is an essential requirement for the complete and sustainable independence of the low-income class, and has been carrying out various projects for the housing vulnerable at home and abroad. Today, even in Korea, which is experiencing economic problems of low growth and high unemployment due to the global financial crisis, the phenomenon of family disintegration or separation of families due to economic reasons is serious. We have been striving to establish values and a new donation culture.
As a result, from its inception to 2020, a comfortable home has been prepared for over 25,000 families. In the case of 2021, as of the end of November, the new home was provided to 24 households in the vulnerable neighborhood, such as descendants of independence fighters, children living in vulnerable places, and families suffering from fire, and the living environment of 676 households was improved. as well as Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia, India, Cambodia,
In 8 countries, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Ivory Coast, 61 households were built, 36 households were repaired, 845 drinking water and sanitation facilities, and 16 school facilities were renovated and repaired to 5254 people.
Housing management, drinking water sanitation, income generation, and vocational education were implemented.
To remember the courageous lives of independence activists
One of Habitat Korea's representative campaigns is the campaign to improve housing for descendants of independence fighters.
Since the campaign started in 2017, the daughter of Hee-won Oh and the son of Kim Han-yong, the son of Kim Han-yong, the independence fighter Song Kwang-woon and the grandson of Jo Sang-gak in 2018. Teacher's grandson, martyr Choi Hyun-pyo's grandson, Lee Gyu-tae's daughter, Cho Beom-jin's daughter, 2020 independence fighter Kim Yong-sang's granddaughter, Choi Deok-ju's grandson, Lim Jeom-seok's son, etc. We provided a comfortable and safe home for the 20th generation descendants of independence fighters who were living in an unsafe home.
The descendants who were able to spend the rest of their lives comfortably in a warm and comfortable home through the campaign expressed their overwhelming feelings and gratitude.
Imim-jae, the grandson of Lim Yun-ik, a veteran of independence who led the independence movement that took place in Im-myeon, Andong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do in March 1919, said, “I never expected this kind of day to come. It warms my heart to see so many people come forward to recognize my grandfather who fought for independence and help his descendants.”
Grandmother Choi Sook-ja, the daughter of Choi Joong-sam, a veteran of independence who planned and led the independence movement at the Hongseong-gun Theater in Gangwon-do, said, “In the past, I used to go about 50 meters outside to go to the bathroom, but after this change, it seems to be a different world. I will live happily as a descendant of independence fighters. I will live every day without forgetting it.”
Starting from 2019, the 100th anniversary of the March 1st Movement and the establishment of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea, and 2020, the 75th anniversary of Liberation Day, the residential improvement campaign for descendants of independence fighters entered a new era.
By holding the donation marathon '815 Run' together with singer Seon, it raised funds to improve the living environment, effectively improving the lives and welfare of descendants of independence fighters.
Run 815 is a campaign that reminds us of the meaning of Liberation Day and gratitude for those of independence merit and conveys a positive message of 'It will be fine, Korea!' will run Even in the midst of the spread of Corona 19, it was conducted in a virtual manner so that many people could participate while complying with quarantine rules. In the 815 run, former national soccer players Lee Young-pyo and Cho Won-hee, track and field coach Ho-jun Jang and Olympic bronze medalist in the modern pentathlon Jeon Woong-tae, triathlon Korean champion Oh Young-hwan, singers and actors Si-won Choi and Si-wan Im, and actors Si-young Lee were with them as pacers and participated. They also participated in the construction process as volunteers, and matched donations according to the number of online certifications, adding 'together value' and meaning. In addition, it helped to inspire pride as the descendants of independence fighters by discovering stories of independence fighters who were not well known to their descendants and by sharing them with the public.
In the case of the 2021 Virtual 815 Run, each participant selected one of the 3.1km, 4.5km, and 8.15km courses at the desired time and place, and conducted a non-face-to-face running campaign. The 3.1 kilometer area is Samiljeol to commemorate the day when the Declaration of Independence was announced and Korea's intention for independence was announced to the world, the 4.5 kilometer area is in 1945, the year of liberation from Japanese imperialism, and the 8.15 kilometer area is to commemorate the liberation of Korea from Japanese colonial rule. This course refers to Liberation Day, which celebrates the establishment of the government.
Sean completed a total of 81.5 kilometers with three pacers per 8.15 kilometer course, with a total of 30 pacers, and pacers ran 8.15 kilometers from group 1 to group 10. 3,000 people who participated as 815 runners in the race selected their own course and ran.
Through the 2020 virtual 815 run, 2021 virtual 3.1 run, and 815 run, 6,310 individual participants and 90 companies raised a total of 1.13 billion won. We applied and are currently in the process of building the 3rd house.