Tuesday, February 24, 2009

YM Speaker in the Library Tomorrow

Tomorrow, February 25, the Year of the Mediterranean will be presenting a talk at 2:30 on the third floor of the library. Shawn Reeves of Habitat for Humanity International will present the talk: "Building Houses, Building Bridges: Experiencing the Work of Habitat for Humanity in the Mediterranean."

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.

Shawn 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.

(Thank you to Dr. Anne Good for this information).

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