community enterprise

Tamil Nadu, India: 2007 - 2008

10-P Profile  
Purpose The aim of the rép Comunity Enterprise is to meet basic needs of people by providing housing and employment. The enterprise will benefit people by imparting practical and entrepreneurial skills and teach them values-based principles. rép will help to transform communities by establishing a series of village-based economic centers in India.
   
Products Our products are: Cottages, Wall Panels, Roof Panels and other prefabricated housing components.
Our products are also knowlege, new businesses and new opportunities for employment.

The rép Comunity Enterprise will create a series of new economic communities. Members of the communities will be involved in construction and manufacturing: precast wall panels, roofing panels and Sorel cement-based housing components. (panels, beams, frames, furnishings, etc.)

. . . .

rép Cottages are based on precast wall panels and prefabricated roof panels. They are better, cheaper, faster and ideally suited to small industries.

The cottages are:

  • Strong, durable and quake-resistant
  • Cool in summer, cozy in winter
  • Waterproof, damp-proof and hygienic
  • Economical
  • Quick to construct
   
Positioning The rép Community Enterprise will be the first to build low-cost houses using unique designs and new methods of construction. We will also be the first to manufacture particular products based on Sorel cement.

The rép Community Project will meet needs for housing, encourage needy people to create new businesses and provide employment opportunities for others.
   
Place The First Phase of the project involves building 10 houses in villages near Pudupatinam: Vayalur, Anicutt, Mugayur, Kadalur, etc. The villages are located between 70 km and 80 km South of Chennai.

The Second Phase involves starting our first economic community that will be located on a 1-acre parcel in Nerkundrapattu, roughly 8 km from Pudupatinam.

Our second and third projects in India will be located in other parts of Tamil Nadu.

   
Presence Community leaders in the Mahabalipuram / Pudupatinam region have expressed recognition and appreciation for the work that rép is doing. We have benefitted significantly from work done by Acts of Mercy and other non-government organizations (NGO's). There is a high degree of local appreciation for the sacrificial work done by certain NGO's after the Tsunami of December 2004.
   
Partnering The rép Community Project is a branch of rép International and independant of any local organizations. We are currently creating an Advisory Board for the Project that includes 3 Chennai-based business leaders. The rép Community Project has received substantial logistical assistance and encouragement from Acts of Mercy, a local non-government organization (NGO). We have also received invaluable encouragement and assistance from Pastor E. Jayaseelan who heads four congregations in the Pudupatinam region.
   
People Brett Johnson, rép, Training business leaders

Don Cook, rép, Engineering & Training

Margie Cook, rép, Community Development

Amy Cheng, US Project Manager (MBA, UC Berkeley)
   
Profits (Funding)

The first phase of the project is nearing completion and we require funds to prepare for the second phase, purchase land and set up the First Economic Community. The total cost of Phase 2 will be $115,000.

Preparation for Phase 2 will cost $14,500:
New molds, plant & equipment ($8,500), product development and training ($6,000).

A 1-acre site in Nerkundrapattu is expected to cost $48,000:
$40,000 to purchase land plus $8,000 for site preparation, fencing, water supply, septic tanks and paving.

Setting up the Economic Community will cost $52,500:
10 houses ($25,000), a panel factory ($9,000), a community center ($8,000) and business development ($10,500).

The community property will be owned by rép India. The portion of the property containing 10 houses will be subdivided to allow occupants to purchase their houses over a period of 5 years. Income from the houses and surplus income from manufacturing and construction activities will be used towards funding the next community.

See Exhibit 1: Plan & Budget (Below)
   
Process The rép Community Enterprise will create new community-based business units that will provide housing and employment for widows and local workers. The business units will generate income from construction-related activities and from manufacturing products using Sorel cement. Additional businesses involving tailoring and food packaging will also be encouraged.

rép will train workers and encourage entrepreneurs. Members of the community will use income from the businesses to purchase their own houses and take over the business units within 5 years.

During 2009, two new communities based on Nerkundrapattu Model will be established in other parts of Tamil Nadu. Each new community will then help to start 2 additional communities within 18 to 24 months.
   
Planning The activities and expenses in the Second Phase of the project are listed in the attached plan.
(See Exhibit A)

rép will establish the first community in Nerkundrapattu, near Pudupatinam, 70 kilometers South of Chennai in Tamil Nadu. The project will be completed by December 2008.

Our longer-term strategy will be to purchase land (owned by rép India), build Industry Centers, establish communities and provide housing for community members - 10 houses per community. Housing will be provided free of charge for a period of 5 years. During this time community members will be encouraged to purchase their own property and build a home.

Thereafter, we will continue to expand by multiplying the number of economic community centers and developing new products.

 
Exhibit 1
  RéP COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE       Exhibit 1
                       
  PROJECT PLAN                    
                       
  Phase 2 : January to December 2008  

BUDGET

        
  Establish First Center , Build 10 houses, Industry Center & Community Center at Nerkundrapattu
                       
  Task   Start Date Duration   Labor Materials Equipment Other   Total Cost
                       
PREPARATION     3 WEEKS              
January 1 to February 28, 2008                    
  Purchase equipment: Vehicle, generator, tools etc.   7-Jan 2 weeks       7500    

7,500
  Redesign molds and develop new products 7-Jan 4 weeks         3,000  

3,000
  Purchase materials for new molds 7-Jan 2 weeks     1000      

1,000
  Assemble new molds for wall panels and roof panels   7-Jan 8 weeks   500     500  

1,000
  Train workers   7-Jan Ongoing         2,000  

2,000
    Subtotal - Preparation            

14,500
                       
  Order steel frames for Industry Center roof 1-Feb 1 week     1500      

1,500
  Purchase materials for Industry center 1-Feb 1 week     2500      

2,500
  Cast wall panels & roof panels for Industry Center 14-Feb 4 weeks   500 1500   1,000  

3,000
  Purchase site in Nerkundrapattu   15-Feb 4 weeks         40,000  

40,000
  Clear land   1-Mar 1 week   500        

500
  Dig wells & install pumps   1-Mar 2 weeks   200 1000      

1,200
  Build fences   7-Mar 4 weeks   200 1000   1000  

2,200
  Install septic tanks   21-Mar 6 weeks   200     2000  

2,200
  Create access ways/roads on property   21-Mar 4 weeks   200     1,000  

1,200
  Install electrical supply   14-Mar 2 weeks   200     500  

700
    Subtotal - Site purchase & Preparation      

48,000
                       
  Order steel frames for roofs of First 5 houses 21-Mar 1 week     2500      

2,500
  Order sand, crushed stone & rebar for First 5 houses 21-Mar 1 week     2500      

2,500
  Set out & dig foundations for Industry Center 25-Mar 1 week   200     1000  

1,200
  Cast foundations for Industry Center 1-Apr 1 week   200        

200
  Construct Industry Center   15-Apr 4 weeks   300     300  

600
    Subtotal - Industry Center          

9,000
 
                       
  Assemble prototype molds for new products: Fencing posts, pillars, doors, fixtures etc.   25-Mar 4 weeks         1000  

1,000
  Pursue contracts for Community products: Wall panels, roof panels, fencing posts, pillars, doors, flooring, counter tops etc.   1-Feb Ongoing   1000     2000  

3,000
  Set up production facilities in Industry Center 7-Mar 2 weeks   500   3000 1000  

4,500
  Train workers   1-Feb Ongoing         2000  

2,000
  Manufacture and market Community products Ongoing            

0
    Subtotal - Business Development        

10,500
                       
  Cast wall and roof panels for First five houses 1-Apr 5 weeks   500 1500      

2,000
  Set out & dig foundations for 5 houses   21-Mar 2 weeks   500     500  

1,000
  Cast foundations and pillars for 5 houses 7-Apr 2 weeks   500     500  

1,000
  Construct 5 houses   21-Apr 5 weeks   1000 1000   1,500  

3,500
    Subtotal - First 5 Houses            

12,500
                       
  Order steel frames and materials for Community Center 1-Apr 1 week     2500   500  

3,000
  Order steel frames and materials for next 5 houses 1-Apr 1 week     5000   500  

5,500
  Set out and dig foundations for Community Center 21-Apr 2 weeks   500     500  

1,000
  Cast foundations for Community Center   7-May 1-week   500     500  

1,000
  Cast wall and roof panels for Community center 21-Apr 4 weeks   1000 1000      

2,000
  Construct Community Center   1-Jun 4 weeks   500 500      

1,000
    Subtotal - Community Center        

8,000
                       
  Cast wall and roof panels next 5 houses 1-Jul 5 weeks   1500 1500   500  

3,500
  Construct next 5 houses   15-Aug 5 weeks   2500     1000  

3,500
    Subtotal - Next 5 houses            

12,500
                       
  TOTAL - PHASE 2                  

97,000