Wayne Erbes

While poverty has fallen in Vietnam in recent years, many ethnic minorities and those living in rural areas remain poor. Urban poverty is also a challenge, as towns and cities swell with the influx of people drawn by economic opportunities.

Many homes in Vietnam were built informally and without adequate supporting infrastructure. About a quarter of the country’s housing stock is substandard or temporary.

Habitat for Humanity Vietnam, established in 2001, specializes in the implementation of sustainable, community-based shelter and water and sanitation solutions. It has experience in rehabilitating and repairing properties damaged by the severe weather that frequently strikes the country’s long coastline. Habitat also works with microfinance networks so families can save and access credit for home improvements, a speedy way to help thousands of families improve their sanitation and housing.

ABOUT THRIVENT BUILDS WORLDWIDE

The Thrivent Builds program combines the financial, volunteer and advocacy resources of Thrivent Financial together with the affordable housing leadership of Habitat for Humanity International.  Thrivent Builds Worldwide teams are led by members of Thrivent Financial and build in one of the Thrivent Builds community destinations – El Salvador and the Mississippi Gulf Coast – or any other location where Habitat’s Global Village program sends teams. To learn more, please visit www.thriventbuilds.com

That’s why Thrivent Financial for Lutherans works with Habitat. And it’s why we want to do more. Much more. Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity engages Lutheran congregations, Thrivent chapters and members, Habitat affiliates, and individuals from across the United States and around the world to build hundreds of homes per year with families in need, provide mission trips for Christian outreach in local and foreign communities, and directly reduce poverty housing and homelessness around the world.

Part of Thrivent Financial’s mission as a faith-based membership organization is caring for others. Participating in this program with Habitat is a prime example of this mission in action.

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.