If there's one thing that 2021 taught us it's that we're all connected, and we must work together to build a fairer world. Here's to another year of impact.
This week we caught up with Tahira* who attended our construction training a couple of months ago. She rents a one room house with her husband and young son in a rural village in Dinajpur.
“The house was built quickly, and damages easily. We’re constantly repairing it. We want to make improvements and extend in future. We’ll need another room for my son when he’s older... I heard about the training and wanted to learn.”
Their house is built with a basic bamboo frame, corrugated iron sheet walls and roof. Tahira dreams of a house that will last longer, and can withstand the storms that happen more and more regularly in her area. The thin walls mean it gets unbearably hot in summer, and incredibly cold in winter, and during the monsoon the earth floor needs ongoing maintenance.
“I remember the phrase ‘spend a little more and make your house stronger’. We are saving to do it... I learnt so much. This year we’ll focus on strong posts and frame, and hopefully upgrade the earth floor too. Then we’ll build another room. It will take 3 years I think. I want to join the next training and practice the techniques.”
In 2022 we're expanding our build for safety programme to offer additional hands-on training, and practical support during construction. We'll be checking back in with Tahira and her family as they build improvements to their home.
Inspired to be part of AzuKo's mission to end housing poverty, and support more women like Tahira? A regular monthly gift of £20 will help build dignified homes. And most importantly, will enable communities to do it for themselves.
We're excited for all that 2022 holds, and hope you are too. We'll be sharing more stories with you over the coming months, to show just how far your support goes.
Author: J. Ashbridge