Message from the National Director of Habitat for Humanity International – Bangladesh:

Seasons Greetings from Habitat Bangladesh!

The last couple of months have been busy at HFHI-B with celebrations, new initiatives and of course, building new homes! One of our recent highlights was the Core Shelter Handing Over Ceremony of the Cyclone Sidr Rehabilitation Project (CSRP). The ceremony marked the official end of the CSRP that has been operating in southern Bangladesh since January 2008. We had the opportunity to hear from three shelter beneficiaries who spoke of their emotional turmoil when the cyclone struck. Their gratitude and thanksgiving reminded us at HFHI-B how our work in providing decent, affordable and safe homes for low-income people of Bangladesh is making a real difference to people’s lives.

As we approach the Christmas season, we are given the opportunity to reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ. His birth was associated with homelessness and lack of shelter as his parents did not own a decent shelter where baby Jesus could be born.

Mother Mary gave birth in a stable, wrapped Jesus and laid him in a manger. Mary's helplessness can be seen today in Bangladesh where 70% of the population lives in inadequate and substandard housing.

Let us keep those in our thoughts and prayers who will spend Christmas just like any other day without a decent home to provide them with warmth, comfort and safety.

I wish you and your families a joyful Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you for your generous support for Habitat Bangladesh and we look forward to continued partnership in 2009!