All donations have a direct impact on the lives of people that had little chance of a sustainable future. In this blog we will explain how donation money is spent to build the future of a new family, and how a new house is build.
Landscaping
As the house is build on a mountain, we need to first make the surface flat in order to build the house upon. With the first houses we hired someone to help with the landscaping, but as part of the project, the community learns how to build themselves, and the community is now doing most of the work itself.
Making holes for poles and setting the structure
Next step is to use the pre-made poles and to set the foundation of the house. We decided to build semi permanent houses, that have a typical life span of 10 years. The reason is that we need to get the project started and as we believe in the natural growth of our community by time, the decision can be made at a certain point by the project members to build a permanent house with a longer life span.
Put the roof on top
This part of the project is something that we will most likely always need professional guidance for. a roof is the most important element of the house to stay dry and ensure the wood will not rot over time. Therefore we have a professional carpenter that helps us with the setting of the roof.
Build the walls
For the walls we use our own bricks that we have made, and put mud in between to dry. Once that is doen we will start sand mining to make this all a finished result.
Covering the roof with iron sheets and making the ceiling
In order to prevent rain coming in Iron sheets are placed on top of the roof and a ceiling is made indoors.
Cost for building of the house
Although the community mostly builds the house with own hands and from own materials, there is a need for additional materials and professional services to build the house. The sum of it: 3.300.000 UGX per house (equivalent of €777 or $927 at the time of writing). For this money we purchase the following materials:
- Iron sheets: 700.000 UGX
- Cement: 400.000 UGX
- Ropes: 200.000 UGX
- Stones: 200.000 UGX
- Nails: 120.000 UGX
- Food and drinks for workers: 250.000 UGX
- Transportation cost of materials: 280.000 UGX
- Landscaping fee: 500.000 UGX
- Carpentry fee: 200.000 UGX
- Ceiling fee: 200.000 UGX
- Roofing fee: 200.000 UGX
Additionally we have water from the lake, and our own sand, poles, bricks, and of course land to build on. This was already purchased by the project organization.
