China
Working in partnership with the Habitat for Humanity NGO
Habitat China began its operation in Shanghai in 2010 with a mission of addressing affordable housing needs in eastern China and supporting Habitat’s rural reconstruction efforts in the southwestern areas of the country. To date Habitat China has renovated 110 homes in urban Shanghai and reconstructed 48 homes in the surrounding rural areas.
Renovations of existing housing aiming better health and safety in Shanghai.
With the program A House is A Home, the mission of Somfy’s Foundation and Somfy China with Habitat for Humanity is to reduce economic and mental pressure for low-income families with urgent housing needs. Habitat for Humanity project in Shanghai targets typically elderly citizens who cannot afford to repair and adjust their homes :
⌂ Renovation design and drawings, furniture moving
⌂ Fixing electrical circuits to increase security
⌂ Bathrooms renovation to improve health conditions: tiling, sink, sanitation facilities, wheel-chair access
⌂ Repairing doors and windows for better airflow
⌂ Safety features: handlebars, anti-slip solutions, safety bars
⌂ Painting, demolition and construction
Ms. Zhou is 87 years old, childless and lives alone in a small apartment of 14 square meters in Shanghai. Habitat for Humanity China is helping Ms. Zhou to renovate her apartment : rewire electrical appliance, reinforce the attic and ladder, install age-friendly safety bars, improve the bathroom condition, and repaint the apartment. Before the renovation, Habitat staff and technical volunteers came to visit Ms. Zhou and her relatives to understand her needs and figure out the best renovation plan.
SOMFY CHINA
The Somfy China subsidiary is working with Habitat for Humanity to renovate houses and help vulnerable families living in high precarious circumstances.
« The goal of this project with Habitat for Humanity is to reduce economic and mental pressure for low-income families with urgent housing needs. With Somfy China, we will help families to live in safer and healthier homes to practice our social responsibility. For Somfy employees, this is a great opportunity to express personal warmness and kindness to those family members. It is very important for Somfy to practice social responsibility in China by helping families. Somfy China employees feel proud and happy to participate in this project. »
Richard Wang, Managing Director Somfy China
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY CHINA
"I think the partnership between Habitat for Humanity China, Somfy Foundation and Somfy China will help more families achieve strength and stability through housing. With Somfy’s support, our partner families are able to improve a place they can call home.The joint efforts can set the foundation for better lives, including improved health, stronger childhood education, and financial flexibility to pursue opportunity."
Xinpei He, Communication and development manager for Habitat for Humanity China
Managing Director Somfy China
Communication and development manager for Habitat for Humanity China