Builders Without Borders
by TreeHugger on 12.24.04
No doubt you’ve heard of Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). In very much the same vein, comes Builders Without Borders, who take housing as the gift they can give to those less fortunate than themselves. "We are an international network of ecological builders who form partnerships with communities and organizations around the world to create affordable housing from local materials and to work together for a sustainable future. We believe the solution to homelessness is not merely housing, but a local population trained to provide housing for themselves." Big on strawbale and earth construction, they have worked on projects in Mexico, Mongolia, Russia and China.
Like ITDG, who we’ve mentioned before, BSB don’t come in, like some all knowing, all powerful, SWAT team to instantly solve problems. Preferring to support local communities to design and develop their own answers to their specific needs. With an increase in wars and natural disasters adding an unneeded numbers to those homeless, their enthusiasm and expertise is sorely needed. A recently published book details the lessons learned to date. ::Builders without Borders [by WM]
Photo by Catherine Wanek
