January 2025
From the National Director's Desk
Dear Colleagues,
The new year, 2025 is brimming with promise and opportunities. I am filled with gratitude for the impact we have made together in the previous year at Habitat for Humanity India. At the same time, we reflect on the profound loss of a true humanitarian, former President of the U.S.A. Mr. Jimmy Carter, who passed away in December 2024, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of inspiring leadership, service, and compassion.
For more than 35 years, President Carter, alongside former First Lady late Rosalynn Carter, led the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project, mobilising millions of volunteers to build homes across the globe. In October 2006, they led a team of over 3000 volunteers to build 100 homes in Lonavala (Maharashtra) for low-income families in need of decent shelter. Their efforts embody their unwavering commitment to build homes that foster lasting change.
Habitat for Humanity India's work mirrors India’s rich diversity. We work with people from different backgrounds, faiths, castes and genders — united by the belief that everyone deserves a decent place to live. This inclusive approach strengthens our mission and fuels our shared vision of a better future as we build homes in partnership with people living in poor and vulnerable housing conditions.
Our newsletter - We Build, embodies this shared commitment to create a lasting impact by building homes, communities and hope. Thank you for supporting us and for being an integral part of this journey.
Together, We Build.
In partnership,
Anand Kumar Bolimera
National Director
Habitat for Humanity India
Honouring a Visionary Leader: Jimmy Carter, Former President of the United States of America
The former President of the U.S.A. Mr. Jimmy Carter in action at the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project in Lonavala in 2006.
Habitat for Humanity India bids farewell to an extraordinary leader and humanitarian, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. His life’s work rooted in social justice, human rights and faith has left an indelible mark on the world.
For over 35 years, President Carter, alongside former First Lady late Rosalynn Carter, led the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project with Habitat for Humanity. This initiative mobilised 1,08,100 volunteers to build, renovate and repair 4,447 homes in 14 countries, raising awareness about the global need for affordable housing.
In October 2006, Habitat for Humanity India had the privilege of hosting The Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project in Lonavala, Pune, where President Carter and Mrs. Carter led over 3000 volunteers to build 100 homes in partnership with low-income families.
Reminiscing about her memory, of the build, Malan Baikar, a homeowner from Lonavala shared, "I was already working on building my home when I noticed a group of volunteers arriving. Among them was a tall, elderly man wearing a cap and gloves. He began constructing a wall, spreading cement and laying bricks with a smile on his face. When I was told that he was the former President of the United States, I could hardly believe it. I wondered why such an important person would be working on my home. His humility really surprised me and I could not hold back my tears when I learned he had passed away."
President Carter’s legacy of compassion and service remains a guiding light not only in the houses he helped build, but in the volunteers he inspired to follow his example. Along with Mrs. Carter, he illustrated with joy and dedication, the idea that everyone can play a part in creating a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
India Visit of Jonathan Reckford, Chief Executive Officer, Habitat for Humanity International
Mr. Jonathan Reckford, Chief Executive Officer of Habitat for Humanity International visited India in August 2024.
A key highlight was the IndiaBuilds Advisory Committee meeting focused on scaling affordable housing solutions and partnerships. Mr. Jonathan Reckford presented a memento to Mrs. Rajashree Birla honouring her for her exceptional leadership and commemorating 25 years of partnership between the Aditya Birla Group and Habitat for Humanity in support of Habitat's vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. (Photograph 1)
During his visit, he handed over 15 climate-resilient homes in Wada village in Pune (Maharashtra) with Ms. Elizabeth Satow, Area Vice President for Asia Pacific, Habitat International and Mr. Anand Kumar Bolimera, National Director of Habitat for Humanity India. This project highlighted Habitat’s efforts to address housing challenges amidst climate change. (Photograph 2 and 3)
Jonathan Reckford and Elizabeth Satow also took part in a symbolic build during the handover ceremony. (Photograph 4)
Marked by project handovers, interaction with the communities and strategic discussions, Jonathan Reckford's visit underscored the profound impact that collective efforts can have in addressing the housing needs of marginalised communities in India.
IndiaBuilds Advisory Committee Meets to Strengthen Habitat's Mission
Glimpses from the IndiaBuilds Advisory Committee Meeting.
A special meeting of Habitat for Humanity India’s IndiaBuilds Advisory Committee was held on 21st August 2024. Chaired by Mrs. Rajashree Birla, Aditya Birla Group, the meeting saw distinguished industry leaders - who are members of the committee - come together to deliberate our continued efforts for providing safe and decent housing solutions for low-income families in India.
The meeting was attended by Mrs. Rajashree Birla, The Aditya Birla Group and Chairperson of IndiaBuilds Advisory Committee; Mr. Chandrakant Nayak, Country President of Dow India; Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani, Managing Director of Hiranandani Group; Mr. Nikhil Srivastava, Head of India Private Equity at PAG; Mr. Jitendra Gupta, CEO of Jupiter Neo Bank; Dr. Pragnya Ram, Group Executive President; Group Head - CSR, Legacy Documentation and Archives at Aditya Birla Group; Mr. Askaran Agarwala, Group Advisor, Birla Group Trusts and Special Community Projects and Mr. Samir Agarwal, Senior Vice President, Aditya Birla Group.
Habitat for Humanity was represented by Mr. Jonathan Reckford, Chief Executive Officer; Ms. Elizabeth Satow, Area Vice President for Asia Pacific; Mr. Anand Kumar Bolimera, National Director of Habitat for Humanity India and members of the Habitat India’s leadership team.
25 Families Move into Their New Homes in Haryana: A Project Supported by Max Estates
Arjun Gandhi, Head of Marketing, Max Estates (3rd from right) and Anand K. Bolimera, National Director, Habitat India (4th from right) hand over the key to Mr. Suresh Kumar and his family. In the 1st phase, 25 homes have been handed over to the families in Aakera.
Max Estates and Habitat India have successfully handed over 25 new homes to low-income families in Aakera village, Rewari district, Haryana. The milestone was celebrated in a handover ceremony attended by the families and leaders from both organisations. This marks a transformative step for families previously living in inadequate housing, giving them a foundation for dignity, security and a brighter future.
Samsung C&T Partners with Habitat India to Build Homes and Hopes for the Warli Community in Maharashtra
Homeowners Rukmini and Kakadya performing a traditional pooja during the groundbreaking ceremony for their new home in Palghar district, Maharashtra.
Samsung C&T has partnered with Habitat India to bring improved housing and sanitation solutions to the Warli tribal community in Palghar district, Maharashtra. 15 new homes are being constructed for families living in Savare, Kanchad and Hamrapur villages, providing them with a foundation to build a better future. Habitat India will also build sanitation units in three zilla parishad schools, benefiting 850 students.
Habitat For Humanity India Builds Climate-Resilient Homes
Homeowners share their stories of transformation after moving into their new climate-resilient homes in Pune, Maharashtra.
Did you know that homes could be built sustainably? In a significant step towards addressing housing and challenges posed by climate change, Habitat India built 15 climate-resilient homes in Wada village, Khed block, Pune district of Maharashtra. These homes are designed with sustainability at their core featuring natural ventilation, solar rooftops and rainwater harvesting systems to ensure long-term resilience in the face of climate change.
6th Habitat Charity Golf Tournament: 7th March 2025
Watch the official video of the 5th edition of the Habitat for Humanity India Charity Golf.
Every year, Habitat for Humanity India organises a Charity Golf Tournament to bring the cause of decent housing closer to the hearts of the golfing fraternity in India. Through the past five tournaments, Habitat India has positively impacted the lives of over 300 families through housing, sanitation and disaster response.
The 6th edition of Charity Golf Tournament will be held on 7th March 2025 at the Willingdon Sports Club in Mumbai. For partnerships, write to Mr. Amol Singh Senior Manager – Individual Fundraising on [email protected]
In Conversation with Anna Charly Jeyaraj, Director of Volunteer Programmes, Habitat for Humanity India
Mr. Anna Charly Jeyaraj, Director of Volunteer Programmes, Habitat for Humanity India, in his natural habitat, i.e., a volunteer build.
Habitat for Humanity India is proud to celebrate the remarkable dedication of Mr. Anna Charly Jeyaraj, Director, Volunteer Programmes, as he enters his 30th year of service in advancing our mission of building homes, communities and hope.
Charly, as he is fondly called, began his journey with Habitat India in 1995. From writing proposals to spearheading disaster response initiatives, Charly has played a transformative role during his tenure spanning last 3 decades.
As we celebrate Charly's incredible journey, let us hear his reflections on his passion for Habitat's work and his vision for the future.
Voices from the Field
Motiram (left) with his wife Indubai (right) and daughter Ujwala (center).
“We are a family of 6 and used to live in a small hut. We could barely sleep and had very little space to do our household work. In the rainy season it was difficult for all of us to live in that small shack which hardly qualified as a home.” – Motiram.
If he had not partnered with Habitat India, Motiram and his family would still live in a small, run-down, mud-walled house in Wada village, located in Khed block of Pune district in Maharashtra. Want to know how a home transformed his life?
Habitat in News
Suprita Tambe, Senior Director – Resource Development (in the picture above), and Rajiv Raman, Senior Director – Programmes (not pictured) represented Habitat for Humanity India on CNBC Bajar.
Habitat for Humanity India was invited by CNBC Bajar for their renowned Property Guru show, anchored by Ms. Zarna Alkanti. In this insightful segment, Mr. Rajiv Kunji Raman, Senior Director, Programmes and Ms. Suprita Tambe, Senior Director, Resource Development, spoke on the importance of housing, Habitat for Humanity's work, its alignment with the Government of India’s flagship Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and shared our future goals towards realising the vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Click on the video to watch the full show.
Op-Ed by Our National Director Anand Bolimera in Government of India's Newsletter
Nirman Sarika, the official newsletter of Building Materials and Technology Council.
An article written by Mr. Anand Kumar Bolimera, National Director of Habitat for Humanity India, was featured in Nirman Sarika, the official newsletter of the Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC), which comes under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The article, published in a special World Habitat Day 2024 edition, highlighted the theme: “Engaging Youth to Create a Better Urban Future.” The piece underscored how empowering young people can drive sustainable and inclusive urban development, shaping cities where everyone has a decent place to live.
