STARS BUILD HOMES FOR THE POOR

       Under an intense midday sun last Friday, former Miss Thailand Cindy Bishop and her husband, Byron, pitched in laying bricks and shovelling sand to build a modest homes for a poor family in the distant rice fields.
       Five months into her pregnancy, Cindy said she was enjoying her stint as one of Habitat's "ambassadors" for this year, along with Byron and other celebrities, such as Paradon Srichaphan and his wife, Natalie - a former Miss Universe - and media executive Charlotte Donovanik.
       "When a poor family starts to own their home, everything changes for the better,'s said Panida Panyangarm, head of Habitat for Humanity Thailand.
       The event in Pathum Thani province was sponsored by Ananda Development CEO Chanond Ruangkritya, who has pledged to build 12 homes under a Habitat programme.
       Chanond, who was also hard at work at the site. said the effort was worthy, because it was a good way for his company to assist less-fortunate communities.
       "By providing them a home at a low cost, the families realise property ownership is the first key step to saving for the future and building that vital capital base," said Chanond, who started supporting Habitat last year.
       "The donations will be recycled," said Panida. "When one family finishes paying for their home loan over seven years or so, the money will go to building another home for another needy family."
       Chanond said Cindy and Byron made great envoys for spreading the message for more members of the public to help less fortunate folk.
       Home-ownership is increasingly recognised, even in communist countries, as one of the key bases from which people can build on to escape poverty and despair, he said.
       "When a poor family with absolutely nothing begins to become responsible for private property, they become more responsible, work harder and contribute more to society," he said.
       "With that footing, their children can really aspire and work towards to a much better future. We're giving them a chance to escape poverty."
       HFH Thailand has in the 11 years since its formation, built more than 4,000 homes for the poor, says Panida.
       A standard house has 36 square metres of built-up space, offering two bedrooms and a common area.
       "The personalities were chosen because youths today need leaders to inspire them to do good."
       HFH Thailand is part of the global movement started by Millard Fuller in 1976 and backed by statesmen like former US president Jimmy Carter.
       Carter, who was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, will come to Thailand later this year to build homes in impoverished areas.