Declared
by the UN the best option for Pakistan, we have
been successful in implementing this new shelter
option. The above pictures
are of the bori-shelter homes made by the independant
team of our correspondent, Imran Saithna. 1500
bori's were supplied to them by RSD and the shelters
were tested by them in Surul
Valley.
The
warmth generated by the structure was such that
even though it was freezing outside, inside you
would feel comfortable without a jacket.
Initially
the villagers were averse to the idea of building
home with boris (plastic/jute/cotton sacks), especially
since the team consisted of several foreigners.
After the first successful set-up which took approximately
two days, even the villagers got excited about
the whole idea and loved it.The idea was quick
to catch on and now the army has asked assistance
in training to build these shelters as well.
Stay
tuned for an indepth report from our correspondents
on details on setting up bori-shelters.
General
properties of Bori-shelter homes:
Insulating:
The weight of the bags atop each other makes the
shelter almost air proof (hence wind and weather
proof, and thereby insulates as well).
Resistance:
Waterproof – the sharply rounded roof also
makes water skid off of it.
Set-up:
They are filled with sand and hay to be used as
building blocks. The loosely filled bags are
basically stacked up like bricks,
igloo style.
Material:
Polypropylene, jute or cotton
Cost:
Takes 160 20 x 30 sacks to make one Bori Shelter
which costs around PKR 2500
Durability:
Can
be permanent housing solutions.
Project:
Surul Valley