When we arrived at the site on Monday morning, it was quite literally bare! Not a thing in site! Our job for the day was to set up a work shelter (for eating, resting, painting etc) and to make the wooden ground frame in which we would pour cement into!
This is what we started out with!!!
In the afternoon we put in the two main support beams and iron grid - to help strengthen the concrete that will arrive tomorrow!
This is what the site looked like at the end of day one!
Everyone is working really well together - despite both the hot weather and our lack of guidance (at times). In addition to us volunteers, there are numerous other people giving time and helping:
- the future homeowners - Deloy and Rosa
- onsite architect - Eric (he is paid by a local church)
- skilled labourers - 2 or 3, paid position (relatives of Deloy and Rosa)
- current Habitat homeowners - as part of the deal, each homeowner pledges apx. 600 sweat equity hours which they complete on their home and those of future owners
The money that is raised goes into the upfront cost of material and the wages of skilled labourers. The homeowners will pay the entire cost of the house back to Habitat in small interest-free payments. The end result is a well funded NGO that can afford to give out interest free loans to homeowners.
In addition, the homeowners are encouraged to provide as much of their own building material as possible. The reduces their loan requirement and also increases their own person stake in the home.
The selection process for each candidate is well throughout out and strict. For example, the family must not be too poor. If more than 30% of their monthly income is needed to make loan payments, the family will not be selected. Conversely, if the family is moderately well off they are asked to apply for a bank loan. It is a choice that is difficult to make. Habitat is a Christian organization but participant (both volounteer and homeowners) may be of any religion. Habitat is not allowed to discriminate agains race/religion etc.
Once the home is completed the family remains involved with Habitat in a number of ways. The most obvious is loan repayment. Second is sweat equity as mentioned above. Finally, the homeowners have the opportunity to join the homeowners association - attending monthly meetings and giving suggestions to improve the NGO.
Ok, I think that's enough of a summary for one day. I'll tell you about the family tomorrow!
emma found her way @ 8:04 p.m.
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