Las Vegas, NV - January 19, 2004

The Dow Chemical Company continues its partnership with Habitat for Humanity International, pledging support for the new Global Village & Discovery Center located on a six-acre site at Habitat headquarters in Americus, Ga.  The Global Village & Discovery Center is an interactive, educational experience that illustrates the housing transformation that partner families undergo to thrive in Habitat homes worldwide.  Dow has pledged $100,000, which will be used for two house sponsorships and to develop an educational module about the science behind building.

"As our partnership evolves, Dow finds new ways to reinforce Habitat's educational mission," said Rob Vallentine, Communications Leader, Dow Building Materials.  "The Global Village offers a look at the Habitat 'real world' experience and inspires people to participate in a 'real solution.'"

"Many people may be familiar with the homes that Habitat builds in their local communities, but now they can see houses around the world and the real improvement these houses make in people's lives," added Millard Fuller, founder and president of Habitat for Humanity.  "This is a logical next step for us to extend our outreach to further the mission of total elimination of poverty housing around the world." 

The Global Village & Discovery Center brings to life the day-to-day struggles and aspirations of people in 15 countries in Africa, Asia and Central America.  Videos, interactive displays and demonstrations replicate poverty-stricken conditions common in many countries.  Hands-on activities, such as brick making, illustrate the authentic building styles and materials that are incorporated into life-sized models of Habitat "simple, decent houses."

"The Global Village shows that Habitat for Humanity provides so much more than shelter," concluded Vallentine of Dow. "It provides safety, security, and most importantly, a sense of hope."

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is a Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing.  Founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller, along with his wife Linda, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliates in more than 3,000 communities in 92 nations have built and sold more than 150,000 homes to partner families with no-profit, zero-interest mortgages.  For more information visit www.habitat.org.

Dow has been an active supporter of Habitat for Humanity International since the early 1980s.  Dow lends support to Habitat in many ways, including house sponsorship funding, donation of STYROFOAM* extruded polystyrene insulation, and employee/customer volunteer work crews at builds around the world.  Most recently, the company became National Underwriter for the Congress Building America program.  Congress Building America provides the opportunity for hundreds of low-income families to become homeowners. 

The Dow Chemical Company is a leading science and technology company that provides innovative chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to many essential consumer markets. With annual sales of US$28 billion, Dow serves customers in more than 170 countries and a wide range of markets that are vital to human progress, including food, transportation, health and medicine, personal and home care, and building and construction. Committed to the principles of sustainable development, Dow and its approximately 50,000 employees seek to balance economic, environmental and social responsibilities.

For Editorial Information:

Jan McKinnon / Rob Vallentine
The Dow Chemical Company
519-339-5028 / 989-636-0462

Miriam Tensuan / Brian Mahoney
Gibbs & Soell, Inc.
212-697-2600