2009 Mekong Region

Midland, Mich - November 15, 2009

Dow is proud to join former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, his wife, Rosalynn, thousands of volunteers from around the world, and partner families to support Habitat for Humanity's 26^th annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project (JRCWP). This five-day event will serve to construct and rehabilitate houses along the Mekong River region in Southeast Asia.

The 2009 JRCWP is scheduled to take place in several sites in northern Thailand, southwestern China, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam November 15-20, 2009.

The main event site will be in Chiang Mai, Thailand, approximately 435 miles north 

of Bangkok. A total of 82 houses will be built in Thailand during the week. Several sites in southwest China, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam are included in the project as well.

The Mekong Region has seen significant economic growth in the past 20 years, yet it is still home to some of the poorest families in Asia. Urbanization is placing an enormous burden in many secondary towns, and nearly one third of the population (80 million out of 250 million) live in poverty. The JRCWP will bring awareness to the need for affordable housing in the region and provide a mechanism for long-term support.

Locations

Thailand	Chiang Mai: Main site 82 houses (50 at main project site; 32 at additional sites)
Vietnam	Hanoi (fishing village, 45 minutes from Hanoi) 20 houses
Cambodia	Two sites 45 minutes from Phnom Penh 20 houses
Laos	Vientiane (capital city) 20 houses
China	Yunnan Province 20 houses