INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY and the REBUILDING OF SUEY SANG'S HOUSE. March 2006 |
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In my last newsletter I spoke about Mrs Sang and how her house was falling apart. I mentioned how she had no way to repair her house herself and how we were going to supply her with the necessary materials to do so. I also said that I'd love to just build her a house, but that we wouldn't due to our philosophy of offering a hand up, not a hand out. Well........ it just so happened that the day we had organised the delivery of the materials needed to repair her house fell on International Women's Day. It occurred to me that a great way to acknowledge and celebrate International Women's Day would be to actually work hand in hand with Suey (Mrs Sang) to rebuild her house with her. My friend, Angela Short, is also here helping out for a couple of months so together we set off to the Suey's place to rebuild her house. I'll let the photos tell the rest of the story........ |
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 Delivering
the materials was quite a challenge. At some points we had to push
and pull the trailer through sandy dirt. It could only make it so
far and then we had to organise for an ox cart to take it the rest of
the way. |
 First
we had to "deconstruct" almost all of the original
house. We kept the house the same size, partly to prevent jealousy
from other villagers. We didn't want to be seen "giving"
her a bigger house. |
 Suey's
oldest son, Get, helping out. |
 No
need for measuring tapes out here. Just grab a twig, stick or
piece of palm leaf. |
 Ok,
I'll admit it - Suey, Angela and I didn't do ALL the work
singlehandedly. In fact Sovanne and Weeble (our other driver)
worked far harder than we did. |
 Suey
and I working on the frame. |
 Suey
and I.
Angela and I were most grateful for the "handyman" skills our Dads had taught us over the years. |
 Starting
on the roof. The palm leaves are remarkably water and weather
proof. |
 Three
of Suey's five children. Jai, Donder and Toit. |
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