Mr Le Van Hien decided to use the photo with President Jimmy Carter as the first decoration item in his new house

Thirty-two families in Dong Xa village in Hai Duong province, now own a decent place to call home. On 19 January 2010, the home dedication ceremony took place with all homeowners, government partners and members of the Habitat Vietnam staff.

Mr. Cao Van Chung said with gratitude from his heart: “I don’t know what to say but thank you, thank you and thank you.” After years of waiting and months of hard work, together with his fellow villagers, Mr. Chung can now proudly start a new chapter in his life. The families are very happy to be in their homes before Lunar New Year, Tet, the most important holiday of the year in Vietnam.

Earlier last week, with the final touch-ups by a Global Village Team led by Wanda Smith, we were able to handover the community centre to the village. Ms. Smith said on her last day in Vietnam, to the homeowners, “in a few hours, I am going very far from here, but please remember that you will always be here in my heart.” The team also finished the preparation to lay the foundation for a new kindergarten in Dong Xa. Along with a new playground located next to the community center, the children of Dong Xa village will not have to cross the river to attend school any longer.

For more post CWP photos, please click here.