Emily Gladstone

While poverty has fallen in Vietnam in recent years, many ethnic minorities and those living in rural areas remain poor. Urban poverty is also a challenge, as towns and cities swell with the influx of people drawn by economic opportunities.

Many homes in Vietnam were built informally and without adequate supporting infrastructure. About a quarter of the country’s housing stock is substandard or temporary.

Habitat for Humanity Vietnam, established in 2001, specializes in the implementation of sustainable, community-based shelter and water and sanitation solutions. It has experience in rehabilitating and repairing properties damaged by the severe weather that frequently strikes the country’s long coastline. Habitat also works with microfinance networks so families can save and access credit for home improvements, a speedy way to help thousands of families improve their sanitation and housing.

About Thrivent Builds Worldwide

The Thrivent Builds program combines the financial, volunteer and advocacy resources of Thrivent Financial together with the affordable housing leadership of Habitat for Humanity International.  Thrivent Builds Worldwide teams are led by members of Thrivent Financial and build in one of the Thrivent Builds community destinations – El Salvador and the Mississippi Gulf Coast – or any other location where Habitat’s Global Village program sends teams. To learn more, please visit www.thriventbuilds.com

That’s why Thrivent Financial for Lutherans works with Habitat. And it’s why we want to do more. Much more. Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity engages Lutheran congregations, Thrivent chapters and members, Habitat affiliates, and individuals from across the United States and around the world to build hundreds of homes per year with families in need, provide mission trips for Christian outreach in local and foreign communities, and directly reduce poverty housing and homelessness around the world.

Part of Thrivent Financial’s mission as a faith-based membership organization is caring for others. Participating in this program with Habitat is a prime example of this mission in action.

About Global Village

Global Village, a program of Habitat for Humanity International, works with participant volunteers who become active partners with people of another culture, helping to build a true "global village" of love, homes, communities and hope. To learn more, please visit www.habitat.org/gv

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International is a global nonprofit Christian housing organization that seeks to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has served more than 500,000 families by welcoming people of all races, religions and nationalities to construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions.