I post mostly on academic and political topics related to my own research on environmental change, archaeology, and human interaction with the environment. Geographically, I range across the Americas to Africa and Europe. My brother lives in Japan and so I do have some interest in Asia, although I have yet to visit.
Habitat for HumanityI helped build these two houses on South Oak Street here in Valdosta yesterday. It was quite an experience, and I encourage anyone with a similar opportunity to take advantage of it.
posted by Don Thieme @ 3:33 PM
8 Comments
Geologist, archaeologist, and college science teacher. Naturally reserved in person, I more frequently let my political and scholarly opinions escape on the internet.
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8 Comments:
I always wanted to volunteer with habitat for humanity but....life gets in the way sometimes...
:-)
nice houses!! What part did you build?
Terrific! Fun, isn't it?
I would have loved the opportunity, not just for the satisfaction but because I had always wanted to experience a house being built from scratch. Well done.
@pamela - I mostly just carried things around, helped lift the walls up on the foundations, etc....
In the afternoon I was cutting things up with a table saw to use in the framing. I also did get up near the roof at the back of the house on the right.
@heidi - I really did have fund, a lot more than I was expecting to.
@jinta - It was one of the most overwhelming experiences I have had in terms of what humans can do in cooperation with one another.
Well this is just interesting, amazing actually. I'm from South Africa and find this very surprising. No, I'm not getting into politics...
Just normal people helping to build a house? I followed the link to Habitat, very nice. Can't see that it will work here however, half of what was build will be stolen each day.... or at least half the material.
Plus... that looks like a wood-house... I'm stunned....
Anyways, interesting blog!
Regards
Da Mario
@Da Mario - Habitat for Humanity has worked very well, particularly where there are strong community churches to provide support to the families who participate. The wood is an interesting story, since much of it is currently being provided by Canada as part of their reparations for "dumping" cheap pine lumber through clearcutting of their western forests. I would definitely agree that alternatives to wood are needed for housing. Steel in particular shows promise, although more specialized (i.e. "professional") skills are required for working with steel. Another potential problem with Habitat is the risk of injury on the job site, which can be considerable with inexeprienced supervisors. I was very impressed with the supervisors on this job site.
An admirable project. I certainly admire those with the skills who are willing to help with these much needed projects.
Excellent blog.
WSPC
www.traveltripz.com
I've always wanted to do that; it must have been great. Good for you.
KHT
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