Smart Shelter Foundation strives to make changes in which the poorest are directly involved, in which they can participate actively, giving them a feeling of pride and higher self-esteem. Through smart combinations and by fully utilizing all local possibilities, affordable and durable solutions can be developed. These solutions must be easy to adapt, in order to cause a positive snowball-effect. Important starting points are the respect of cultural backgrounds, protection of the environment and self-sustainability.
Their strong points:
Their first motto is: Let’s get started and take action. They want to build, build more and keep on building. The housing problems are increasing worldwide, more and more people simply need decent shelter and proper sanitation. We need to be practical and accurate, which is characterized by:
Full participation and cooperation with the beneficiaries. They will be involved throughout the whole project, from design to realization.
Local presence in the villages and at the building sites where we work. A Smart Shelter Foundation volunteer is always available in the field, for direct assistance during the project.
Strong technical background and realistic budgeting. We make all designs and estimates according to the actual local information. This makes our projects affordable to the people, whose participation is around 25%.
Through local research, we include alternative ways of construction and re-use of materials in all our designs, with regard to the local living conditions and the environment.
Training of local masons and carpenters. We give them extensive construction training, to ensure the quality of the workmanship and to create durable buildings.
We do al our work voluntarily and we are very proud of our minimal overhead expenses. Last year we only had to pay some transaction costs to the bank. We document our projects thoroughly and we are totally transparent to our donors.
The Project:
From 2007 and ongoing, Smart Shelter Foundation will mainly be involved in the construction and/or renovation of over 20 mountain schools, healthcare centers, and housing projects in the remote hill area east of the city of Pokhara in Nepal. Here we will introduce earthquake resistant construction principles, in such a way that the knowledge is transferred to the villages. Also we are going to build a compound wall around a school, made out of plastic bottles. See for many many pictures and technical information www.smartshelterfoundation.org.
Smart Shelter Foundation is a young, non-profit organisation, founded by Dutch architect Martijn Schildkamp in 2004.
