Habitat Summit grows commitment to serve more Salvadoran families
Habitat for Humanity El Salvador hosts “Cumbre Hábitat 2012” with the aim of strengthening the ties of brotherhood among Habitat’s affiliates and partners and growing the commitment to serve more Salvadoran families in need of adequate housing.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (March 9, 2012) – In February, Habitat for Humanity El Salvador hosted “Cumbre Hábitat 2012”, a summit inviting 40 Habitat for Humanity affiliate representatives from the United States, Canada and Northern Ireland, as well as staff from the organization’s international headquarters and Habitat for Humanity El Salvador. Local partners also participated in the event.
The objective of the event was to strengthen the ties of brotherhood and grow the commitment to serve an even greater number of Salvadoran families in need of safe, adequate housing.
Vice minister of Cooperation and Economic Relations for Development, Jaime Miranda, participated in the inauguration, recognizing the efforts that Habitat for Humanity has made throughout its 20 years of service in El Salvador.
Oscar Hernández, Director of Housing at the Vice ministry of Housing and Urban Development, spoke about the current situation in El Salvador. Habitat for Humanity El Salvador national director, Jorge Molina, talked about challenges and outlined Habitat El Salvador’s strategic plan.
The event included an exposition of the diverse community development projects that Habitat for Humanity has launched in El Salvador. In addition, Eric Balukonis, Tithe Development Manager for Habitat for Humanity International, shared the history of Habitat’s global tithe program.
Participants in the summit also visited the municipality of Santiago María to learn about the inadequate housing conditions that are suffered by some 400 families whose homes were destroyed by a series of earthquakes in 2001. Habitat for Humanity El Salvador is developing a holistic project in the community that will help these families to access safe, adequate housing.
To close out the event, Habitat hosted a cocktail launching its 20th anniversary, with the participation of international affiliates, partner families and Habitat for Humanity El Salvador board members, friends and volunteers.
About Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity International is a global Christian nongovernmental housing organization that brings together people of all races, nationalities and religions to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has served more than 500,000 families by building and improving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions.
Habitat for Humanity first opened its doors in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) in 1979, and has since helped more than 100,000 low-income families to access adequate housing in the region.