Habitat for Humanity Thailand receives THB6.27 million from Nissan to help families in substandard housing
Nissan’s donation will enable Habitat to repair or rebuild homes for 33 flood-affected families in Pathum Thani province.
Bangkok, 22 January 2013: Habitat for Humanity Thailand and Nissan Motor (Thailand) today announced the launch of a project to help 33 families living in Sam Khok district in Pathum Thani province. Under the partnership, Nissan will donate THB4.35 million in cash and two Nissan Navara 4x4 pick-up trucks (worth THB1.92 million), bringing the total value of the donation to THB6.27 million (approximately US210,000).
Nissan’s cash donation will be used by Habitat for Humanity Thailand to build 15 houses and repair a further 18 homes for families in areas badly affected by flooding in late 2011. The two Nissan Navara trucks will be used to assist with daily operations related to the construction and repair of houses. The vehicles will also be used by Habitat for Humanity Thailand to expand its reach to support more Thai families living in substandard housing conditions and create a more sustainable and better quality of life for them.
At the project kickoff today, some 100 Nissan employees took part in building homes for the target families. At the event, Takayuki Kimura, Nissan Motor Asia-Pacific President and Nissan Motor (Thailand) President, presented a check and keys of the donated vehicles to Chamnarn Wangtal, Habitat for Humanity Thailand CEO, and Rick Hathaway, Habitat for Humanity Vice-President for Asia-Pacific.
Mr. Hathaway said: “Nissan’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity in Thailand and several countries in Asia Pacific enables families to live in healthy, secure houses and rebuild their lives after a disaster. This assistance from Nissan helps Habitat for Humanity work towards achieving its vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.”
Mr. Wangtal added: “We thank Nissan for their donation to assist families who were greatly affected by the floods. The homes of these poor families are in desperate need of repairs. Nissan’s support will help relieve families who are struggling, by giving them stability and an opportunity to start a new life.
“The donation of two Nissan Navara trucks will also be of long-term benefit to Habitat for Humanity Thailand as they will enable us to expand our community outreach efforts because our work often requires accessing rural areas across difficult terrain.”
At the event today, six families were the first to receive keys to their new homes from Mr. Kimura. Amongst them was Waraporn Komloi, a 38-year-old supermarket employee, who said: “As a family we had been discussing how to repair and improve our home. It was already old and dilapidated, and then the flooding damaged it further. Five of us used to share a toilet. As most of the family members aren’t earning much, we weren’t able to save anything. We used to be able to find loans, but ever since the flooding, getting a loan is very expensive.
“On behalf of the families, I thank Nissan and Habitat for Humanity Thailand for looking out for us and reaching out to give us some unexpected help. You have given us the house we had always wanted, but didn’t know how to get.”
This latest partnership between Nissan and Habitat for Humanity Thailand is part of a wider global relationship announced in September 2012, when Nissan donated US1 million to launch projects in India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, as well as in Thailand. Nissan is also working with Habitat for Humanity Japan to support areas affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.