International: Since its founding in 1976 by
Millard
and
Linda Fuller, Habitat
for Humanity International has built and rehabilitated more than 125,000
houses with families in need, becoming a true world leader in addressing the
issues of poverty housing.
Koinonia Farm and the Fund for Humanity
The concept that grew into Habitat for Humanity International was born at
Koinonia Farm, a small,
interracial, Christian farming community founded in 1942 outside of
Americus, Ga., by farmer and biblical scholar Clarence Jordan. The Fullers
first visited Koinonia in 1965, having recently left a successful business
in Montgomery, Ala., and all the trappings of an affluent lifestyle to begin
a new life of Christian service. At Koinonia, Jordan and Fuller developed
the concept of "partnership housing" -- where those in need of adequate
shelter would work side by side with volunteers to build simple, decent
houses.
The houses would be built with no profit added and no interest charged.
Building would be financed by a revolving Fund for Humanity. The fund's
money would come from the new homeowners' house payments, donations and
no-interest loans provided by supporters and money earned by fund-raising
activities. The monies in the Fund for Humanity would be used to build more
houses.
An open letter to the friends of Koinonia Farm told of the new future for
Koinonia:
| What the poor need is not charity but capital, not caseworkers
but co-workers. And what the rich need is a wise, honorable and just way
of divesting themselves of their overabundance. The Fund for Humanity
will meet both of these needs. Money for the fund will come from shared
gifts by those who feel they have more than they need and from
non-interest bearing loans from those who cannot afford to make a gift
but who do want to provide working capital for the disinherited. . . The
fund will give away no money. It is not a handout. |
In 1968, Koinonia laid out 42 half-acre house sites with four acres reserved
as a community park and recreational area. Capital was donated from around
the country to start the work. Homes were built and sold to families in need
at no profit and no interest. The basic model of Habitat for Humanity was
begun.
Zaire
In 1973, the Fullers decided to apply the Fund for Humanity concept in
developing countries. The Fuller family moved to Mbandaka,
Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). The Fullers' goal was to
offer affordable yet adequate shelter to 2,000 people. After three years of
hard work to launch a successful house building program, the Fullers
returned to the United States.
Habitat for Humanity International
In September 1976, Millard and Linda called together a group of supporters
to discuss the future of their dream. Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI)
as an organization was born at this meeting. The eight years that followed,
vividly described in Millard Fuller's book, Love in the Mortar Joints,
proved that the vision of a housing ministry was workable. Faith, hard work
and direction set HFHI on its successful course.
Phenomenal Growth
In 1984, former U.S. President
Jimmy Carter and his
wife Rosalynn took their first Habitat work trip, the
Jimmy Carter Work Project,
to New York City. Their personal involvement in Habitat's ministry brought
the organization national visibility and sparked interest in Habitat's work
across the nation. HFHI experienced a dramatic increase in the number of new
affiliates around the country.
The Results
Through the work of Habitat, thousands of low-income families have found new
hope in the form of affordable housing. Churches, community groups and
others have joined together to successfully tackle a significant social
problem -- decent housing for all.
Today, Habitat for Humanity has built more than 125,000 houses, sheltering
more than 625,000 people in some 3,000 communities worldwide.
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