No More Shacks as Surveyors Help Build New Homes in South Africa

04/04/2008

Inspired by Aitchison Raffety’s Roger Chisnall, a group of Chartered Surveyors from the East of England is going to Cape Town to make their own contribution to the problem of poverty housing. The team aims to build a 45 m ² house for a poor family in just five days.

According to Roger the need is great. “One in five South Africans live in shacks, mostly in shanty towns with poor sanitation. The build is part of the Desmond Tutu Community Build (DTCB) and the aim is for 15 teams of 12 to work with local people to build 15 houses during the week long build which takes place from 6^th-14th September.”

Roger who works as a senior surveyor with Aitchison Raffety in St Albans, went last year with the charity, Habitat for Humanity, which works closely with DTCB. “It’s an amazing experience. To meet people living in a shack who have little more than hope, working with them over five days and seeing hope grow into reality as we hand over the door keys to their new home is an enriching experience. We can make such a difference” he says.

Nick Navas, chairman of RICS Beds & Herts says: “I am looking forward to packing my hard hat and going with our RICS team to build a decent house for a family in need”.

RICS members at the Annual Beds & Herts gala dinner recently made a great start to the project with a generous donation with Roger Chisnall speaking at the dinner, thanking donors for their contribution and inviting members to participate.

Habitat for Humanity have been operating in South Africa since 1987 and constructed 1,900 houses in 17 communities providing shelter for nearly 10,000 people. All the house owners must contribute financially to their new home as well as helping with the labour.