"Jimmy Carter, the World's Best Hammering Grandpa"

‘Habitat Movement Leader’ Former President Jimmy Carter Passes Away
Volunteered to Build Homes for Over 4,000 Families Worldwide

Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn Carter, longtime supporters of Habitat for over 35 years. Photo by Korea Habitat

The international housing welfare nonprofit organization Habitat for Humanity Korea expressed deep condolences on the passing of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter on the 3rd and reflected on his life.

Former President Carter, along with his wife Rosalynn Carter, was a longtime supporter of the Habitat movement for over 35 years. He served as a board member of Habitat for Humanity (HFH) from 1984 to 1987.

Leading the Jimmy Carter Work Project (JCWP), where volunteers worldwide engage in large-scale home-building efforts over a short period, former President Carter built and repaired 4,447 Habitat homes with more than 108,000 volunteers across the United States and 14 other countries.

In Korea, the project was held in August 2001, building 165 homes with over 10,000 volunteers from around the world. To commemorate this, Habitat for Humanity Korea has been conducting the Korea Blitz Build (KBB) since 2002. Last year, through the Korea Blitz Build (KBB), comfortable homes were dedicated to 16 newlywed couples without housing.

Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International, expressed his condolences, saying, "Jimmy Carter was a precious friend and an inspiring role model who showed the world how to put beliefs into action. His positive influence in striving to make the world a better place will continue to live in the hearts of Habitat."

In August 2001, the Jimmy Carter Special Housing Project (JCWP) conducted in Korea. Former President Carter is handing a Bible to a resident family. Provided by Korea Habitat.

Yoon Hyung-joo, Chairman of Habitat for Humanity Korea, recalled, "The image of former President Carter volunteering in construction in Korea in 2001 is vivid. He was the grandfather who hammered the best in the world," adding, "His life, embodying the values of peace and service, is a true model of leadership."

Habitat, which began in the United States in 1976, operates in over 70 countries worldwide, improving the housing conditions of 59 million vulnerable neighbors and involving more than 895,000 volunteers in the Habitat movement.