Our Founder: Linda and Millard Fuller

Millard and Linda Fuller became millionaires in their 20s, but they felt something was missing. Despite their wealth, happiness eluded them, and Millard’s relentless pursuit of success in the business world nearly ended their marriage. In a last-ditch effort to save their relationship, they gave away their fortune and rededicated their lives to serving God. This decision shocked their family and friends, but it ultimately saved their marriage—and changed the world.

The Fullers visited Koinonia Farm in Georgia and decided to move to this intentional Christian community. There, they learned the concept of Partnership Housing from “Cotton Patch” theologian Clarence Jordan, which would become the foundation for Habitat for Humanity, founded by the Fullers in 1976, and later The Fuller Center for Housing in 2005.

In January 2005, after 29 years, Millard and Linda were dismissed from the organization they had founded. Rather than dwell on the setback, Millard immediately began planning the next chapter of his life’s mission. In April 2005, he, Linda, and a group of like-minded individuals launched The Fuller Center for Housing, providing a new platform for Millard to continue his work of eliminating poverty housing.

Millard’s mission was his life’s passion. Every breath was dedicated to improving the lives of those living in the most deplorable conditions. Although his passing left a profound void, The Fuller Center for Housing continues to carry forward his vision and mission. Linda, his wife of 49 years and co-founder of both Habitat for Humanity and The Fuller Center, remarked that Millard wouldn’t want people to mourn his death. Instead, he would prefer they put on a tool belt and help build a home for someone in need.

The ministry the Fullers founded operates on an economic philosophy based on what Millard called the “economics of Jesus.” The no-profit, no-interest policy of The Fuller Center is rooted in a passage from the Bible (Exodus 22:25), which instructs that money lent to the poor should not incur interest.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, a longtime Habitat supporter and carpenter, praised Millard’s work: “Millard Fuller is an inspiration to all of us who have joined him as volunteers. His faith and perseverance have made continuous progress possible.

About The Fuller Center for Housing Bolivia.

The Fuller Center for Housing Bolivia is a covenant partner of the Fuller Center for Housing, a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing worldwide. The Fuller Center for Housing was founded in Americus, Georgia by Millard Fuller and his wife LindaFuller in the spring of 2005. Millard Fuller, who was the founder and former president of Habitat for Humanity decided that after 29 years of service to the poor it was time to expand his vision of eliminating substandard housing worldwide founded the Fuller Center for Housing. 

The Fuller Center for Housing Bolivia was founded in 2015 by Alex and Carlos Aramayo, brothers who undertook a significant challenge with faith and hard work. The Fuller Center Bolivia is a non-governmental charitable organization that supports community development in the Plurinational Republic of Bolivia by assisting in building and renovating simple, decent, and affordable homes as well as advocating the right to a decent shelter as a matter of conscience and action. The beneficiaries of our work are low income Bolivians. Prior to becoming a Fuller Center covenant partner the Fuller Center Bolivia staff worked under the name CINPROBOL, a totally organic and 100% Bolivian NGO which built over 600 low cost houses increasing the economic welfare of hundreds of low income Bolivians. 

The Fuller Center Bolivia Co-Founder and Director, Alex Aramayo (center left) and our Co-Founder and Fundraising Director, Carlos Aramayo (center right) visited Americus, Georgia to share a moment with David Snell (right), President of the Fuller Center for Housing and with Ryan Lafigliola (left), Director of International Operations.   

Fuller Center volunteers, covenant partners and staff pose for a picture on Koinonia farm in Americus, Georgia where Millard Fuller and his wife founded the Fuller Center for Housing.

This is Bolivia

The Plurinational State of Bolivia is a landlocked country located in western-central South America. The capital is Sucre while the seat of government is located in La Paz.
The country’s population is estimated at 11 million. Spanish is the official and predominant language.
Bolivia’s variable altitudes, ranging from 295–21,463 ft above sea level, allow for a vast biologic diversity. The territory of Bolivia comprises four types of biomes, 32 ecological regions, and 199 ecosystems. Within this geographic area there are several natural parks and reserves.
According to UN 31% of families live in overcrowding houses.14% of Bolivian population lives in a rent house and 37% of homes are made of adobe bricks, instead of clay bricks.
Bolivian culture has been influenced by the Quechua, the Aymara, as well as the popular cultures of Latin America as a whole. The Spanish brought their own tradition of religious art which, in the hands of local native and mestizo builders and artisans, developed into a rich and distinctive style of architecture, painting, and sculpture Bolivia has a rich folklore. Its regional folk music is distinctive and varied.