Former U.S. President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, will lead the annual Habitat for Humanity build bearing their name in five Asian countries, Nov. 15-20.

The Carters and nearly 3,000 volunteers from around the world will build and repair 166 homes in Thailand, Vietnam, China, Cambodia and Laos - all countries along the Mekong River. In the Mekong River Basin, nearly one-fifth of the population lives in poverty - many on less than the equivalent of one US dollar per day, according to the CIA World Factbook.

"In an area of the world where many people live in deplorable conditions, we have a chance to help families improve their housing," said former President Jimmy Carter. "Over the years I have seen the lasting impact Habitat for Humanity volunteers can have, and I have been personally touched by the work they are doing around the world."

Country music stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood will volunteer alongside the Carters during the Carter Work Project. Brooks and Yearwood have worked on numerous Habitat build sites in recent years.

Habitat for Humanity of Thailand will anchor the five-country Carter Work Project, where volunteers will build a community of 82 houses with families in Chiang Mai province. The number 82 was chosen to honor the 82nd birthday of the Thai king, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, on Dec. 5, 2009.

Habitat volunteers in Cambodia will build 21 houses in Damnak Thom village with families who will be relocating from a dumpsite near Phnom Penh. Thirty-two houses will be built by Habitat homeowners and volunteers in Vietnam's Dong Xa village near Hanoi.

In China Habitat is working with the local government in Qionglai city, in the southwestern province of Sichuan, in a project to build a series of multi-story, urban housing units that will eventually house hundreds of families. Habitat volunteers will help construct 20 Habitat for Humanity units during the Carter project.

Additionally, in Laos, Habitat volunteers and families will refurbish 11 homes in Ban Chawang village, 30 minutes outside the capital city of Vientiane.

"With the help of President and Mrs. Carter and the thousands of devoted Habitat volunteers, the Carter Work Project will result not only in better housing for families who urgently need it in the Mekong region, but in much-needed attention to the housing plight of so many families in this part of the world," said Habitat for Humanity chief executive officer Jonathan Reckford. "Decent shelter helps transform lives and entire communities, and we're grateful for President and Mrs. Carter's servant leadership."

"Habitat for Humanity has a strong and growing presence in all the Mekong countries through a wide range of housing solutions," said Richard Hathaway, vice president for Habitat for Humanity International's Asia/Pacific region. "We are thankful to President and Mrs. Carter and the thousands of volunteers who will give programs in this area a major boost, allowing Habitat to serve even more families in need of decent shelter."

Habitat's Carter Work Project is an annual, internationally-recognized week of building that brings attention to the need for simple, decent and affordable housing in partnership with low-income families. President and Mrs. Carter have faithfully given one week of their time each year since 1984 to help build Habitat homes and raise awareness about the need for simple, decent housing. The Carter Work Project has been held in India, Korea, The Philippines, Mexico, South Africa, Hungary and throughout the United States.

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than 300,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.5 million people.