Even at age 95, a cancer diagnosis, fourteen stitches to the head and hip surgery, the thirty-ninth president of the United States, Jimmy Carter, building houses for the many people in need.
For most, working with Habitat for humanity is a once-off, on the weekend “feel good about yourself” kind of job. Often discovered as a result of a school trip or as fulfillment for required volunteer hours. But, for former president Jimmy Carter, this could not be further from the truth. Many of the volunteers can boast about having built one or two homes. But, Jimmy Carter, through the Carter Work Project, has built more than four thousand homes. These homes Stretch across the planet. And, he did it all the while recovering, brain, liver, and hip cancer surgery.
The Charitable Life of Jimmy Carter
Three years after leaving the Oval Office, in March 1984, Jimmy and his wife Rosalynn volunteered to build houses for Habitat for humanity. They were in a small south-westerly town in Georgia called Americus. What they found there was astonishing.
Jimmy Carter once said about the organization;
“Habitat has successfully removed the stigma of charity by substituting it with a sense of partnership. The people that live in these homes work alongside the volunteers, so they feel very much that they are on an equal level.”
It was this partnership that inspired the Carter family to action. Aligned with their religious values and love of charity, the Carters invited Habitat for humanity to partner with the family’s own nonprofit for human rights organization. The Carter Work Project, a week-long, once a year building project that takes place all over the world.
The Carters have dedicated huge amounts of time and energy to their habitat builds. Between 1984 and 2019, they have been involved with the building or renovations of over four thousand homes. Across fourteen different countries alongside the over one hundred thousand volunteers. While contributing to a build in Nashville, Tennessee, in October 2019, Jimmy had fallen and had to get stitches in his forehead.[1]
Jimmy Carter Building Houses Through Injury
While at his home in Plains, Georgia, Jimmy Carter fell over. Cartner had hit his forehead on a cabinet that stood nearby. He was taken to a hospital where he received fourteen stitches, an eye patch, and bed rest.
The former president, however, had other ideas. He and his wife, according to The Carter Center, traveled to Nashville, Tennessee. Here, they had a week-long Habitat for Humanity construction project. This project saw Jimmy Cartner building houses, over twenty new homes in the area. Of course, with the help of several hundred volunteers and country music icons such as Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.
Medical setbacks aside, Jimmy Carter showed up for the build with enthusiasm and excitement. He made light of his recent fall and accompanying eye patch. He also freely admitted that while he may not physically be able to contribute to the build, that he would provide support in any ways that he could
The former president and his wife Rosalynn made great efforts to contribute to each of the homes. He once said;
“All twenty-one houses have something we built”
His healing stitches and eye patch were not the only health setbacks that he faced. Earlier that year, in March, he underwent hip surgery. He was under strict orders to rest, but his willingness to help was overwhelming. So, in direct contradiction to his doctor’s orders, he continued to plan for the upcoming build in October. Fully anticipating that he would be there. While on a build in Canada, the 92-year-old former president collapsed from dehydration. He was treated, and despite the harsh conditions, he persevered. [1]
Jimmy Carter Building Houses, Even Through Cancer
Carter announced to the general public, in 2015, that he had been diagnosed with melanoma. This meant that he had to undergo surgery to have part of his liver removed. But, despite the operation, cancer had spread to his brain. Jimmy Carter believed that he would soon die.
Of the many questions Jimmy Carter was asked by reporters on the day of his announcement, one stood out. He was asked if he would continue the charitable work that he had become so well-known for. He replied with a resounding, “absolutely.”
Jimmy Carter said of the nonprofit;
“Habitat gives us an opportunity which is very difficult to find: to reach out and work side by side with those who never have had a decent home — but work with them on a completely equal basis, It’s not a big-shot, little-shot relationship. It’s a sense of equality.”
After many treatments and operations, Carter continued with his hands-on approach to building. Whether by hammering nails or climbing to the second-story of a newly built house. Carter never stopped working because he didn’t feel well.
With a mostly clean bill of health, He’s continued to devote his time to the organization and others like it.
The next year, in March of 2016, Carter announced that he was in remission and no longer required the cancer treatment. Consequently, after extensive MRI scans, it was confirmed that the cancer was no longer spreading. [2]
At his Sunday school class in Plains, Georgia Carter said,
“The doctor’s determined that I didn’t need any more treatment, so I’m not going to have any more treatment”
You Can’t Stop Jimmy Carter!
To this day, Jimmy maintains that his doctors are still keeping an eye on him. Just in case the cancer was to return. But, aside from a few minor accidents here and there, he’s doing well. The oldest-living president and ninety-six year old humanitarian is doing remarkably well. It would seem that when it comes to his charitable work, Jimmy Carter can not be stopped. One would feel safe assuming that, as long as he has breath in his lungs and is physically able, he will support the organization. Both with his time and energy and continue his life as a legendary humanitarian.
Keep Reading: Bill Gates Speaks Out About ‘Evil Conspiracies’ On Him And Coronavirus Vaccine
References
- “At 95 Years Old, Former President Jimmy Carter Is Still Building Homes For The Needy.” All That’s Interesting. Katie Serena. November 27, 2019.
- “Understanding Jimmy Carter’s Surprise Cancer Turnaround: A Conversation with Jedd Wolchok.” MSK. Matthew Tontonoz. December 9, 2015.