ETA Star and its partners raise Dhs2m for 'Habitat for Humanity' as part of the 'Home for the Homeless' initiative

Mr. Rick Hathaway, Area Vice President, Asia-Pacific region, Habitat for Humanity International, received the cheque from ETA Star and its partners on behalf of Habitat for Humanity in the presence of renowned Indian actor Mr. John Abraham, who is also the goodwill ambassador for Habitat of Humanity, at a special event held at the InterContinental Hotel, Dubai.

The event witnessed the culmination of this year's 'Homes for the Homeless' programme. Dubai Lifestyle City, Homes r Us and Star Cement partnered with ETA Star to be part of the noble venture.

The contribution from the 'Homes for the Homeless' initiative will be used to build homes for the needy across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Ethiopia.

Commenting on the contribution made to Habitat for Humanity, Mr. Abid Junaid, Executive Director of ETA Star, said:

"We received an encouraging response to our 'Home for the Homeless' programme. We are grateful to our customers and partners who unconditionally supported the cause and made it a grand success."

He added: "This is the second successful year of the 'Homes for the Homeless' initiative. We are convinced that our initiative will bring in a positive change for a number of homeless families. We have found a dependable and honorable partner in Habitat for

Humanity and we believe that they have the right ethos to carry forward our undertaking of building homes for the underprivileged."

Commenting on the partnership with the Homes for the Homeless initiative, Mr. Rick Hathway, Area Vice President, Asia-Pacific region, Habitat for Humanity International, said: "We are very thankful to ETA Star and its partners for their involvement and contribution. This donation would go a long way in providing a shelter to people who are struggling to make ends meet -- without a roof over their head. We hope initiatives such as this would set an example for other corporate houses and be a catalyst in the development of impoverished communities."

Habitat for Humanity has built more than 250,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1m people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, and affordable shelter.

Through volunteer labour and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families.

Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable loans. The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat houses.

Habitat is not a giveaway program.

In addition to a down payment and the monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labour — sweat equity — into building their Habitat house and the houses of others.

Some of Habitat's star volunteers include former US President Jimmy Carter, musician Jon Bon Jovi and actors Brad Pitt and John Abraham.