Construction...

       Some of you want to know about the damage in and around Chaveneau.  Let me try to explain the general construction out there so you can understand better.  MOST homes are made with a concrete floor (cement poured over a bed of sand/gravel foundation).  The walls are usually made from larger trees stripped down into beams that hold up the roof which is also made from rough cut lumber/trees nailed together to make trusses.  Between the main beams, there are stones or woven pieces of wood for the walls – these are then covered with a mixture of more cement and sand (kind of like plaster).  The roof was usually tin nailed into those boards making up the trusses.

       When the winds came, the tin on the roof of most homes blew off- sometimes taking the wooden truss along with it.  Often, it also took along part of a wall because the truss was nailed into supporting beams on the wall.  If not, the walls were exposed now to the wind and rain and they just crumbled when saturated with rain water.  The plaster-like stucco turned to mud and fell.

       IF the home was made of block, often that block had originally been constructed using too much sand (to make it cheaper) and was already brittle because of the sun drying it out over time.  When the roof began to shift and blow off, it took those walls down with it as well.  On some homes only the wooden frame remains with the wall/cement in ruins on the ground as it crumbled.  Others have partial walls standing.  Others only had damage to the roof.  It all depends on how well constructed the walls were originally and how old the home was.

       Reconstruction will require going all the way down to the foundation once again on many homes and starting with STRONG blocks on concrete footers to give good support.  This means knocking down what little remains of many homes that are still partially standing but it is the only way to be sure it will last.

       This reminds me of our Christian walk and the stories of how we need to build upon a STRONG and SOLID foundation in order to withstand the storms of life.  As Christians if we do not start with this strong foundation, we are sure to sway, bend, and possibly break when tough times come- just like these homes did in the storm.

       These photos show some of the damage and some different types of construction you see in  and around Chaveneau.
(NOTE:  We would love to rebuild at least three homes for our friends.  Five would be ideal but we estimate it costing about $3000 US each.  Ron is even talking about taking a team to work alongside the locals.  God knows!  And HE will provide if that is His desire as well- maybe through YOU??  Check out the website for info on donating online or by mail- www.heartsunitedwithhaiti.org   - the “donate” page)

Wooden frame of a home- all that is left.  

This one has parts of the wall left.  The rest is covered with salvaged tin.  

Salvaged tin- the home was a total loss.  

Part of this home still standing- on the right they have formed a temporary one.  This shows the wall construction well- the rocks and mortar that is then covered with a plaster-like mix and painted.  

Another home that lost the roof.  This one had pretty good construction prior to the storm but still a lot of the house fell.  

Even the well constructed homes lost part (or all) of their roof.  The winds were INTENSE!