As the world says goodbye to President Jimmy Carter, our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Below Habitat Ireland's Chief Executive, Jenny Williams, reflects on President Carter's life and legacy.
I first met Habitat’s best known volunteers, President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalyn, at a Carter Work Project in Los Angeles in 2007.
What struck me then was his complete dedication to working hard, to making sure that the homes were built.
He understood that his influence was important, the couple’s commitment to Habitat’s mission had already helped raise awareness of Habitat in the US and around the world, but it was clear that what motivated him was the opportunity to put his faith in action and in a very personal, practical way help a family have a safe home.
Over the course of the week, I watched him take time for the media, time to speak powerfully at the opening ceremony, time to lead a devotion during a lunch break. But it was clear that what made it special for him was no different to what makes Habitat special for me, and for countless others; that opportunity to put our faith into action; to make a difference, to break down barriers and to build relationships with families in a way which is profound. He expressed that in this way;
"Habitat gives us an opportunity which is very difficult to find: to reach out and work side by side with those who never have had a decent home-but work with them on a completely equal basis. It’s not a big-shot, little-shot relationship. It’s a sense of equality."
His commitment to peacebuilding, to justice and to human rights has rightly been honoured by so many since his death.
I feel the best way we can honour his memory is to raise our voices, lift our tools and keep working for a world of peace and justice, a world where everyone has a safe place to live.
