Housing Reconstructions: subsidizing cost of local labor and materials |
|
Since 2009 Africa Yes! has built over 140 houses and 60 latrines through the housing reconstruction project. This project was initiated in Gbeworbu, and has spread to 11 villages with a waiting list due to financial and skilled-labor scarcity. This community-led project has created a large, physical change to the area and has resulted in several additional perks: the apprenticeship program, labor opportunities, domain ownership, and a stronger, healthier community. In the past 5 years the project has experience two major obstacles: the initial financial burden and having enough skilled-labor (masons and carpenters). This project, if funded, will address both.
Before the project started, only the few who had resources could build proper housing. Even then, the houses may not be built to stand long-term exposure to the monsoon season, which meant constant re-mudding or adding supports to the roof. Those who had neither resources, skill, nor time, were forced to make do with the rubble left from the war, or attempt to build a single room A-frame shelter. Both results in exposure due to the weather, poor ventilation and without a way to keep rodents and wildlife from entering their homes. |
The houses built by the project are both cost effective, well-built and culturally minded. They are designed by a local master carpenter and mason, and will stand up to the environment season after season. While a house being made with little financial and material resources are expected to deteriorate within one or two seasons (lasting around 3 to 5 years), these houses are expected to last 30 to 50 years and include some modern utilities (indoor toilets and ventilation). This allows the owner (often single mothers) to spend their scarce resources (time and money) on family, business and needs, instead of repairs and rebuilding. Having a well built, ventilated home also allows children to grow in a clean and healthy environment.
The Housing Reconstruction Project functions through assisting, but not fully donating, financial and skilled-labor assistance to those who wish to participate. The program also encourages social partnership and support with those who are requesting assistance. The first requirement for the program is for the applicants to form a group of 5 and to choose 1 person whose house they will build. Second, the chosen one must pay one-third of the cost of the house and borrow another one-third from the community micro-loan program. The final third of the costs are covered by the Housing Reconstruction Program. The total cost to the home-buyer is just over 2 thirds of the total cost of the house due to the interest on the loan. In addition to being able to leverage their current savings to build a house, the home-buyer also receives the expert knowledge of the local master mason and carpenter. The remaining 4 people within the group will assist in building the bricks and supports using local materials. Often, more than just the 4 participate in building the house. Once the house is completed, the new owner’s main priority is now repaying the loan. Each group of 5 cannot start another house unless the loan has been repaid. Due to the social pressure, defaulting on a loan is very drastic and only occurs in the most dire situations. Often, it is the responsibility of the group to vouch for each of their members to be in a position to quickly repay the loan. |