Kauai Habitat for Humanity says it’s supporting the Philippines recovery effort following Typhoon Ketsana by designating its quarterly global tithe payment of $4,238 to Habitat for Humanity in the Philippines.

Executive director Stephen Spears said, “Each Habitat for Humanity affiliate designates 10 percent of its unrestricted contributions to support a global Habitat project. The need for decent and affordable shelter is a worldwide challenge; each U.S. HFH organization provides significant support to build houses in developing countries through the practice of tithing 10 percent of unrestricted contributions toward international house-building efforts.”

“We chose to support Habitat’s work in the Philippines this time, not only because of the recent floods that caused such devastation and hardship, but because it recognizes the close kinship Kauai has with people from the Philippines,” he said. “Many Habitat homeowners, volunteers, donors and even staff have close ties to the Philippines and it’s a way to honor that connection.”

Habitat volunteers, working in partnership with the Philippines National Red Cross, are building much-needed sanitation facilities at evacuation centers in Marikina, Pasig and Quezon City. The Kauai donation also will support the construction and running of soup kitchens at the evacuation centers. More relief effort will provide house repair kits for up to 10,000 families.