INTRODUCTION
The
Habitat Costa Rica Annual Newsletter offers you a short summary of what
the National Office has planned for 2002 and an in-depth review of what
the regional affiliates have accomplished in 2001. The first two pages
are dedicated to projects and programs to be implemented on a national
level in 2002. Subsequent pages include one or two page summaries of
the most important events that took place at our five regional affiliates
in 2001. You will read testimonies from Habitat Costa Rica families and
volunteers, which provide a clear picture of how Habitat has changed their
lives for the better. We dedicated this newsletter to all the Habitat
Costa Rica families, volunteers, and donors who have given much of their
time and treasure to help us help others in Costa Rica.
Habitat
Costa Rica will build 20 houses in one week during “Viviendo Tu Fe,” a
blitz build scheduled the week of March 24th – March 31st,
2002. Several hundred energetic international and local volunteers will
travel to San Ramón, Nicoya, Esparza, and Cartago to build 20 houses
in one week. Many local churches have also committed to sending their
members to volunteer at construction sites countrywide. Hundreds of volunteers
from different ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds will soon
come together in solidarity to build homes for needy families.

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BUILDING
DREAMS FASTER
WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY
A group of architects and engineers from the Technological Institute of
Costa Rica in Cartago recently developed a pre-fabricated home that is
more structurally sound and labor efficient than traditional homes made
of concrete block. After conducting a thorough study, Habitat Costa Rica
has committed to offering a HABICON home design as another option for
families in Monteverde. Because of its versatility, pre-fabricated homes
made with HABICON are being considered in San José, Buenos Aires,
and Rio Claro once these regions are approved to become Habitat Costa
Rica affiliates.
Homes made with HABICON are constructed in less time and are more durable
than traditional homes, but the construction process is radically different.
Special equipment at an off-site facility pours concrete over a wire mesh
to form panels. The finished concrete panels are then transported to a
work site where they are fitted together like a jig saw puzzle, and then
reinforced with wood and cement joints.
HABICON houses are an attractive alternative to traditional block homes
for the following reasons:
-Attractive design
that compliments its surroundings
-Efficient distribution of living space for families
-Design proven to be more earthquake resistant
-Shorter construction period of 4 to 6 weeks, but there is still much
work required of volunteers and families
-Flexibility to build on steep slopes or in flood prone areas because
foundation does not touch the ground
-Environmentally friendly because the land is not
disturbed to form the foundation and timber for the
trusses comes from tree farms instead of virgin forests

HABICON
model home located in Cartago, Costa Rica.
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