Chiang Mai, Thailand: Former US President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, along with 3,000 volunteers from around the world would build 84 homes for poverty-stricken people in Chiang Mai's San Sai district.

The couple and Chairman of Habitat for Humanity Thailand, Dr Chainarong Monthienvichienchai, told a press conference Monday that the "Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project in the Mekong River Region in 2009" would have volunteers including Chinese actor Jet Li, American country singer Trisha Yearwood, and Japanese footballer Hidetoshi Nakata.

Thai singer/actor Rattapoom "Film" Tongkongsap also joined the project in his capacity of being the Habitat for Humanity Thailand Ambassador.

A hired hand, Jankham Duangtip, who was entitled to the 40th home under the project, said his family has always rented, so he was very happy that they would now get the first house of their own.

This house, made even more exciting by the fact that it would be erected by a former US president, would be a strong foundation for him, his wife and their three children in the future, he said.