Habitat For Humanity, Cisco Systems Partner to Abolish Poverty Housing in Costa Rica

To do their part to demonstrate corporate responsibility in their community, Cisco Systems is teaming up with Habitat for Humanity Costa Rica to build a home for a family in Montecillos, Alajuela. Funding for the home will be provided by Cisco Systems and the labor will be provided by their employees during a two week commitment this month.

San José, Costa Rica (PRWEB) November 16, 2004 - Working together, Habitat for Humanity Costa Rica and Cisco Systems will be building a home for a family in need. Cisco Systems has agreed to provide the labor and donate fifty percent of the homes cost to Habitats revolving fund. Additionally, for every hour of labor provided by their 30 or more employees, another $17 will be contributed - more than enough to cover the entire cost of the home.

Says José Pedro Sanchez, Nacional Director of Habitat for Humanity Costa Rica, It is an honor to partner with Cisco Systems in our mission to eliminate poverty housing in Costa Rica. Through their colaboration, we will be giving a brighter future to one more family, allowing them to purchase their own decent and affordable home".

The funding that Cisco is providing is a contribution to Habitat Costa Ricas revolving credit fund, specifically earmarked to fund the Sibaja-Castro family home. In keeping with Habitats policy of not making gifts of houses, the family will pay back their no-interest loan over the course of 9 years, giving them true ownership of their new home.

Makers of powerful networking and internet hardware, Cisco Systems educates, inspires and motivates their employees to become life-long volunteers and philanthropists. Their goals are to increase employees' awareness about community issues and as a consequence, stimulate their passion for a cause and direct involvement with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity Costa Rica.

Founded by Millard and Linda Fuller in 1976 in Americus, Georgia, Habitat for Humanity is a non-descriminating, Christian-based, non-profit organization whose vision is to see everyone worldwide living in a decent and affordable home. They offer no-interest loans to families who qualify, creating opportunities where none may have existed before. Two of the requirements for participating families are that they be able to pay back their loan and that they participate in what is called sweat equity" - helping to build their neighbors Habitat homes, as well as their own. Currently, Habitat for Humanity International is helping to eliminate poverty housing in more than 100 countries, and have built more than 175,000 houses internationally.

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