Wednesday, November 23, 2005
New Website
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
A bird's eye view of what remains of the village of Surul, one of the areas RSD is providing shelter to. Picture: Courtesy Imran Saithna, RSD Volunteer
More pictures of Surul Valley available here
RSD and its Partners
The Relief Shelter Drive team is pleased to announce its following partners who are assisting us in our efforts:
1) Association for the Development of Pakistan is a US-based non-profit charitable organization as determined by Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Service, tax ID# 20-0022158. Your gift to towards Association for the Development of Pakistan for the Relief Shelter Drive is tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by U.S. law. To donate online from anywhere in the world, click here.
2) A small group of private individuals are based in Hong Kong, and are researching and purchasing tents in Hong Kong with their own funds to contribute to RSD's efforts. An initial order of 245 heavy-winterized tents has already been placed.
3) A group of private individuals based in Pakistan are facilitating distribution and provision of shelter and medicine to the RSD volunteer in the Surul Valley through a prominent multinational's network. Further, this group is assisting with a thorough needs assessment of the valley, while aiding in physically setting up the shelter.
1) Association for the Development of Pakistan is a US-based non-profit charitable organization as determined by Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Service, tax ID# 20-0022158. Your gift to towards Association for the Development of Pakistan for the Relief Shelter Drive is tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by U.S. law. To donate online from anywhere in the world, click here.
2) A small group of private individuals are based in Hong Kong, and are researching and purchasing tents in Hong Kong with their own funds to contribute to RSD's efforts. An initial order of 245 heavy-winterized tents has already been placed.
3) A group of private individuals based in Pakistan are facilitating distribution and provision of shelter and medicine to the RSD volunteer in the Surul Valley through a prominent multinational's network. Further, this group is assisting with a thorough needs assessment of the valley, while aiding in physically setting up the shelter.
Friday, November 04, 2005
Introducing - Relief Shelter Drive
Relief Tent Drive is now Relief Shelter Drive.
We have started using this name as we are seriously considering alternatives to only tents, and as a test pilot, are currently settting up homes made out of bori sacks (see post below). 100% of your donations will go towards varied shelter, including tents.
We have started using this name as we are seriously considering alternatives to only tents, and as a test pilot, are currently settting up homes made out of bori sacks (see post below). 100% of your donations will go towards varied shelter, including tents.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Alternative Forms of Shelter: Boris
The RSD team is constantly looking for alternative shelter as tents are temporary shelter that may last only through the winter. An option the team is looking into is that of an igloo shape made by Bori Sacs.
Bori Sacs are either made of polypropylene, jute or cotton. 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. The sharply rounded roof also makes water skid off of it. The weight of the bags atop each other makes the shelter almost air proof (hence wind and weather proof, and thereby insulates as well).
Takes 160 20 x 30 sacks to make one Bori Igloo; one igloo costs around Rs. 2500
Current Plans and requirements:
- 1200 Bori's donated today and on their way to the village
- RSD team member will be documenting progress of setting this structure up, and sharing thoughts on feasibility
