Building Houses, Building Bridges: Experiencing the Work of Habitat for Humanity in the Mediterranean

February 25, 2009, at 2:30 p.m.
Upper Level of the Hill Freeman Library & Spruill Learning Center

featuring Shawn Reeves, Habitat for Humanity International campaign communications manager and former managing editor of Habitat World magazine, and Shala Carlson, an award-winning journalist for Habitat World magazine,

In northern Africa and the Middle East, Habitat for Humanity works to create connections between communities and to turn despair into hope for thousands of families currently living in substandard housing conditions. Habitat's Shawn Reeves will visit Reinhardt College to share his firsthand experiences in Egypt and Jordan.

In Egypt, where Habitat has worked since 1989, construction projects provide a chance for members of the Muslim and Christian communities to work side by side, building trust as they build houses.

Similarly, each house built in Jordan since 2001 represents an opportunity to build relationships across cultures, religions and classes. In a region where relations are often fragile, building houses together creates a spirit of solidarity and a new understanding between families, their neighbors and volunteers from around the world.

Reeves has worked in the Communications department at Habitat for Humanity International since 1998, when he came to the organization as a general writer/editor. Since then he has held several editorial positions, serving most recently in support of CEO Jonathan Reckford. Currently, Shawn oversees the communications function for Habitat's global capital campaign.