HOUSE BUILDING

On most trips (since 2006), we build a small house for someone in Riverton or one of the surrounding shanty communities. Although the house is very small, it provides basic shelter for the family or individual keeping them protected from the elements. Each house costs close to $3000. This covers all materials and pays a local carpenter and an assistant. Our team members help by hauling rocks, sand and cement; and by painting, and hammering. Funds to build the houses are raised by the group.

On our summer trips, we typically help to repair houses in the community in preparation for hurricane season. As much as possible, we try to provide materials that people need and they do the repairs themselves.

So far (as of Summer 2011), we have built 5 homes, 3 for seniors in the community who were in need of shelter, and 2 for women and their young children whose living conditions were desperate. The good news is that every house that we have built and/or repaired, has withstood any hurricanes they have been hit with!

Local carpenter, Nathanial, assisted by SCB volunteer painting a home for community elder