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The Need |
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More than 70% of India's 1.2 Billion+ people live in villages. Many of the people in the villages lack adequate shelter and adequate sources of income. Widows are particularly needy because they are often neglected by their communities. Many of the people in India live in huts that are made from palm branches. The palm branches have a useful life of about 3 years and it can typically take about 6 months for a villager to earn enough money to purchase new materials for his or her new roof. Poor people cannot afford to build more durable structures and their poverty is thus aggravated by their constant need to repair/re-roof their huts. Many of the people in the villages also lack valuable skills and need to rely on odd laboring jobs in nearby farms or towns for income. Our community projects are able to provide both short-term and long-term relief for needy villagers by addressing immediate needs for housing and providing new methods of generating income. |
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You can help
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If you have skills or interest in construction, business, marketing, manufacturing, appropriate technologies, community development, communication and teaching, consider joining us for a 2-week or a 4-week venture in Southern India. Email margie(at)cookbrothers.net- or call Rebecca or Karen at (650) 306 4100 for more information on opportunities for involvement in our projects. |
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Donations |
Preparation for Phase 2 during January and February 2008 will cost $14,500. This includes new molds, tools, product development and engineering. Phase 2 will cost $97,000. This will involve purchasing a 1-acre site ($40,000), developing the site ($8,000), building a manufacturing facility ($9,000), a community center ($7,000), 10 houses ($25,000) and establishing business units ($8,000). Consider donating funds for any of the items listed above. $2,500 will cover the cost of one house. $40,000 will cover the cost of land for the new community and $97,000 will cover the total cost of Phase 2. To donate: Online: Visit the rep website www.repurposing.biz and click Contribute on the lower left. The site outlines several options. PayPal: If using PayPal, select "Specific equip venture" from the drop down and type &ldquoIndia Housing" in the "For" box. Stock: To donate stock: |
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Plan & Budget |
rép will establish the first community near Pudupatinam, 70 kilometers south of Chennai. The project will be completed by December 2008 and will be carried out in 2 phases: Phase 1: Build 10 houses for widows and needy people in villages near Pudupattinam. This phase of the project was started in July 2007 and will run through February 2008. Phase 2: Establish the first rép community facility. Phase 2 of the project will run from February to November 2008. The rép community facility will contain a manufacturing plant, a community center, and 10 houses. The buildings on the community property will serve as models for marketing our products. We expect to start selling houses, panels and pillars to individuals and organizations in July 2008. The community property will be owned by rép India. Houses on the property will be rented to members of the community for up to 5 years. Rental income will be used to help community members purchase their own properties. Trained workers from established communities will help to start new communities. Income from manufacturing and construction activities will be used to fund new communities. Preparation for Phase 2 during January and February 2008 will cost $14,500. This includes new molds, tools, product development and engineering. Phase 2 will cost $97,000. This will involve purchasing a 1-acre site ($40,000), developing the site ($8,000), building a manufacturing facility ($9,000), a community center ($7,000), 10 houses ($25,000) and establishing business units ($8,000). See Exhibit 1 for further details |
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