2008
May - Bamboo Shelters and Rain
This
is the latest drawing of the house we have planned to build in October.
We have decided to build it onto a concrete slab (cement over
gravel and contained by a cement block frame) because it will be
cheaper than wood and can still protect against drainage problems
during the monsoon seasons. The roof will overhang the slab by
two feet -- the slab also extends two feet out all around the house.
By digging drainage channels on the outside of this slab and protecting it
from rainfall with the roof overhang, we hope to overcome the problems
we're presently experiencing with the land being rain-soaked and muddy. We
have also opted for a double roof design that allows for adequate
ventilation during the summer months. Because the house has been
designed for optimum flow-through of air with the lattice-work design
windows, air that is heated will rise and vent between the lower roof and
the higher roof. The lower roof outlines the central living space
and air rises from this room and escapes through the open sides between
the lower roof and the upper roof (separated by a two feet high space). 
The
lower walls will still be constructed of flattened, halved bamboo poles
with one surface facing outwards and will somewhat resemble this design at left
for a bamboo fence. The vertical facing is backed by cross-pieces
of bamboo and the 4 inch square wood pillars placed every ten feet and
between them additional 2 inch round bamboo pillars. Above the
vertical facing will be open, ventilator windows -- either constructed
in a lattice-work design or, alternatively, in a parallel-vertical
design. Which design we finally opt for will mainly depend on the
skills of our hired, Burmese working crew. Whatever is easier and
cheaper for them to construct on site is what we'll probably choose.
The
picture at right is of a section of a parallel-vertical
design being used in a Buddhist temple school in nearby Mywaddi. Wendy
took this photo during her visit to HTF in February, 2006 but these
windows are still in good shape. We can back these windows with
curtains for privacy (when needed) and could also put mesh screen up.
Each bedroom can also have a 10 feet square mosquito net with
zippered door that could be hung from the ceiling and lowered at night.
We haven't yet decided which option to go with. Again,
we'll probably choose the cheaper one. When thinking about the
roof, I had priced a tin roof at about $1000 -- a bit too expensive, I
think. 
It
would be sturdy, lightweight and probably last a long time but the
downside is the house then becomes an oven during the summer months.
We could depend on our double roof with its ventilation for
cooling but it is cheaper to build a more typical roof. In either
case, we will still line the inside of the roof with woven bamboo mats
(see at left). They look nice and keep the heat down -- whichever
roof covering is chosen. Above the bamboo mat would be a layer of
plastic sheeting. This can be fastened tightly and because it
overlaps like tin, the roof is virtually water-proof unless the plastic
is torn or punctured. 
Finally,
a rice straw roof covering protects the plastic and insulates the house
from the heat of the sun. This kind of roof (seen at right)
remains cool during the summer months and the house does, too.
Yes, we have to replace the rice straw every few years but the
price is so low that this seems to be the option we will go with.
Additionally, it is an easy technique for beginning house
builders to learn how to do. We must remember that we are
basically a bunch of amateur house-builders who have chosen to 'Just Do It'
Nike style. I have watched a lot of Burmese day laborers building
houses in Thailand. Hopefully, I have been a good observer and
have learned a thing or two. For sure, we are limited by our
budget but this may not always be the case. I feel that the
larger bucks that come our way eventually will be best spent on buying
land that we can register in the name of the Burmese people who have
become our extended family. If we can buy them a farm along the
Moei River just inside Myanmar, we will have gone a long way towards
ensuring their future homestead. Eventually, when our children
have learned how to farm and can buy land of their own, these lessons
will have been worth all the effort we're putting into them. Part Two
of this newsletter focuses on the backgrounds of the children we now
have at the shelter (for sponsorship information) and the situation on
the land during my visit of May 17-19, 2008. Look for it to be posted
within a week or so. Dhane Blue, May 14th, 2008.