Long silence

So easy to start a new idea and so difficult to continue when I don't truly know what is worth writing about, or even worth sharing. Early this morning a idea began to form itself in my head - I have done several things to keep from writing; bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, play a game of free cell as the computer warmed up, check my emails (not much), drank a cup of coffee etc. etc. and it is not early morning any more!

But, I do have something to write about, something that has been a part of my thinking for almost a year. Year ago, good friend Bobb Biehl said, " Nothing has meaning without a context." Others have added to that quotation, "or a comparison".
Context and a little bit of comparison for this blog is the following:

As I was preparing to go to Ethiopia last February I was getting a haircut and the barber(Jim)asked about my next trip. As we talked about Ethiopia a man walked in the barber shop and took a seat in front of Jim and became engaged in the talk about Ethiopia. Juan is a Ford Motor Company retiree, a gifted, thoughtful, creative person who has served Ford for over 30 years - illustration, opened the Ford Monterey, Mexico plant etc. In the barber shop conversation Juan began to share a dream that he has had for over 30 years - inexpensive housing using natural fiber (sisal).

Since my trip to Ethiopia Juan and I have meet many times, have learned to dream together, think together, visit other together, work in my garage together to put his ideas into a practical working model - to meet the needs for housing where in the world sisal (natural fiber) is grown. In Ethiopia I kept my camera busy photographing every plant I could see. We found out from Sam (Marta and Deme's son) that Ethiopia was, at one time, a major exporter of sisal. We have also found out that Haiti was, at one time, a major exporter of sisal. Around the whole world sisal has been grown and usually used for backing for rugs, wall hangings ets. But Juan has shown that sisal can be used for building material.

Juan, working with Lawerence Technical University, in Detroit has tested sisal as a building material. The development of fiberglass has replaced natural fiber. Many sisal plantations (Haiti, Ethiopia, others) have been abandoned so that sisal is now used for rope etc. Along with Juan I now believe that the tremendous housing needs of people around the world can be meet by using natural fiber.

One metric ton of processed sisal is enough raw material, combines with the binding agent, to make 51/2 30' by 20' houses. Natural fiber pressed into this material will allow local people to build their own houses, or start a small business, or begin to build homes that will not fall apart like cement blocks etc.

As I have watch the TV reports on Haiti, have seen the housing needs in Ethiopia and elsewhere, I have been struck with the number of NGO's in Haiti, as an example, throw buildings into that chaos (not a bad thing) but not solve the problem. Billions of dollars are being wasted, local people are jobless, plastic covered building have a day time temputure reaching 120 degrees. etc. etc. THERE IS A BETTER WAY, AT A MUCH LOWER COST, THAT WILL BEING DIGNITY AND JOBS AND USE LOCAL MATERIALS FOR BASIC HOUSING NEEDS. Buildings much lead to permanent homes, built by local people for themselves and their neighbors.

Juan knows the details. Juan has the heart for needy people. Juan has proven the process (a dream of over 30 years) could be a reality for these times. My concern is, how can I help Juan's dreams of making money 30 years ago become a dream of helping people without a thought of making money out of his dream?

Even if you had to buy a press and import the binding agent, the cost of a house would so much less than, for example, what Samaritans Purse, the Red Cross, and any number of NGO's have offered. The waste of money in Haiti has been well documented! There are other answers that will not keep a people dependent on outside sources for ever. We all need, and can do better for ourselves and for others.

Should the Red Cross, Samaritans Purse, World Vision, The Presbyterian Church, the Methodist Church, the Mormon Church etc. etc. want more information, want to help, want to address long term needs, I know some people who are on that road. Lets get together.

A barber chair in a small community in Michigan can become a beginning place. Strangers can come together and not have to form another organization - lets just have those already in existence run with the idea.

Let me know if you want to get in touch with Juan. I don't want to swamp him without his permission.

DREAMS CAN BECOME A REALITY, IF PLACED IN THE RIGHT HANDS.

Bill

AaronandAndrea.com

This young couple were volunteer teacher in Yetebon, Ethiopia for 9 months. There website is loaded with pictures, comments, insights, about Project Mercy and its school, hospital, local people etc. Please give the website a look and long study - you will be blessed and blessed.

Twenty years of walking with the local peoples has given thousands of young people a real hope along with real change for their whole community. Aaron and Andrea are just a small, but truly great. part of this whole development.

My 10 days in Ethiopia was hardly a bump for the locals but a big bump for my heart and mind.

Bill