World Vision and Builders Without Borders initiative trains local construction workers
Source: World Vision - International
Marianne Albina
Website: http://www.wvtsunami.org
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A joint initiative by World Vision's Lanka Tsunami Response Team and Builders Without Borders has taught modern construction methods to local contractors in the eastern districts of Batticaloa and Ampara.
Three Builders Without Borders volunteers from Canada worked with local contractors on efficient construction methods, and safe practice in construction sites. Builders Without Borders is an international network of experienced tradesmen and tradeswomen who form partnerships with communities and organisations around the world to create affordable housing from local materials, while building local capacity.
Rod Imer, Lanka Tsunami Response Team Construction Operations Manager said, "The first crew of contractors learnt how to use electrical power tools, and organise their work flow efficiently. They learnt the basic elements of roof construction and door and window installations. The second crew managed a demonstration workshop where they prepared structures for roof construction and built various sample work elements to help build houses, including simple scaffolding for block laying and plastering, sawhorses for carpentry work, and making toolboxes." The Builders Without Borders volunteers also constructed roof framing that enabled local contractors to build roofs more efficiently.
"Usually, many laborers climb on roofs and pass the hammers and nails among themselves without taking safety measures. Now they have learnt how to safely carry their tools even if they are working on the roof," said Josephine Pillai, World Vision Tsunami Response Stakeholder Representative in Batticaloa. "The most important lessons everyone learnt during this training was how to save time, work more efficiently, and keep the site neat and safe."
Four women from Ampara aged between 16 and 22 were encouraged to participate in the training. The women were trained for ten days in setting out timber structures and elements while learning to properly use hammers, handsaws and electric drills. By the end of the training, the women were able to build sawhorses, scaffold-leaners, toolboxes and rafter assemblies. "Learning these new skills allows the women to actively and professionally participate in the development of their community building projects in the future," said Julia Armstrong from BWB.
With attention geared towards finishing 3,360 houses and 63 schools, the Lanka Tsunami Response Construction Team will continue teaching roof construction techniques to those who were not enrolled in the Builders Without Borders training.
Despite the challenges of escalating conflict in Sri Lanka where the security situation interrupts the construction work on sites, World Vision wishes to continue its cooperation with Builders Without Borders by employing leading hand tradesmen to work on the construction sites of three schools in Batticaloa. Building one new school, and adding buildings to two others by applying modern construction techniques will provide new facilities for 1,990 students in a district where people know too well the suffering of the tsunami and the ethnic conflict.
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