The Project

Time to talk about our project. We’re building in Debre Birhan, a community about 100 miles from Addis. Habitat’s been there for seven years, completed 340 homes. They have land for 500 more. Currently, 950 families are on the waiting list, approved but waiting for their houses.

The homes are simple and modest. Each about 200 square feet total, two rooms. Expansion possible by adding a kitchen later, as funds become available. Prospective homeowners must first work on other people’s homes for a specified number of hours before they can even submit an application. Then, after approved, they have to do the usual sweat equity.

Another interesting twist--the identify of the owner of each home isn’t decided until the home is finished. Then, there’s a lottery for determining which house goes to which of the eligible homeowners. So no one can do “better” work on building their own house, since they don’t know which house will be theres.

Another interesting twist---as part of the application process, they have to demonstrate a record of saving, setting aside funds to provide for the mandatory 5% at least down payment and the record of managing funds to be able to repay the loan. (Compare this to the no-money-down, no doc loans in the U.S.) So they really are working hard to build community and to build a corps of responsible homeowners.

Many houses currently under construction, in various stages of construction. So during our build, we’ll work on each of the phases. First task: digging the foundation, a trench 20” wide by 20” deep around the perimeter and down the middle for the room divider. With hand tools (pick and shovel.) All dove in quickly and we made great progress our first afternoon. Many local family members working alongside us. With sheep wandering around and bleating, an occasional donkey walking by carrying a load or pulling a wagon. Far cry from the world where I live. But beautiful scenery around, sunny breezy day, temperature in the 50’s. Hard not to enjoy this kind of life.

Today (our second) we switched to “framing” up the sides, which involves putting long thin poles of eucalyptus trees vertically, lashing them together by weaving long strips of eucalyptus bark in and around them, just like weaving a cloth. Easier work than picking/digging!

As usually happens, local workers quickly realize (a) I am taller and (b) I have gorilla-style arms, making my reach comparable to about a much taller person. So instead of having to go up on a ladder to help, I simply was able to stand there--much easier, and much less OSHA-concerning (you should see the ladders!)

Don’t know what the next steps will be, but know that we will be doing them in the days ahead.

My 2nd worst nightmare is getting stuck alone in an elevator. (My worst nightmare is going for the final exam in a class I’ve never attended and don’t know where it meets.) Elevator stops, doors don’t open. Breathe deep. Push other floor buttons. Nothing. Push down button, then up button. Nothing. Push alarm button. Nothing. Breathe. Eventually, hear voices outside, speaking German. Bang on doors. “Hallo, hallo!” Get a response. “We’ll call the elevator company.” Pause. Breathe. Pause. Breathe. Bang again. “Oh, forgot. I’ll call my brother.” Pause. Breathe. Eventually, voices prying the doors open, squeeze through. And don’t take the elevator again. (And still looking for where the class meets for the final exam.)