habitat for humanity in Chiang Mai

**chiangmaimav** · 11-19-2009, 05:48 AM

Yesterday I helped build houses for poor people in Sansai district of Chiang Mai with the Habitat for Humanity. I ended up doing this because of being volunteer police here. It was a very nice event. They built 82 houses which is because king of Thailand will be 82 next month. They are all 1 bedroom houses made of concrete with steel frame roofs. Like all Thai houses there is no basement. Also the kitchen is outside. The houses will cost 200,000 baht which is a lttle less than 7,000 dollars in US but people have up to 30 years to pay. This sounds cheap but actually still a lot of money for some people here. I recently suffered herniated disk and though I have been feeling better and back to walking every day and doing light exercise, I wasn't planning on heavy lifting. it did not work out that way as since I was working with all little Thai guys and therefore the biggest guy there, whenever there was something heavy to lift, like trusses, foremen asked me to lift it and since I am too stupid to refure, and embarassed to stand around watching these little guys and women lift the stuff i did it. The good news is I seem to be better as today I have no baclk pain.

The other good news is Jimmy Carter was not there, but since there is not supposed to be politics on this forum I will not say anything mre. Anyway regardless of other issues with this person I believe the HFH is a good thing.

**Rick** · 11-19-2009, 07:16 AM

Good for you. I'm glad you were able to participate without any back problems. I know that had to be a relief for you.

My son has donated time on several HFH houses. I think everyone deserves the opportunity to better themselves. Sometimes it just takes the opportunity to own something to get you started in the right direction.

Nice post. Thanks.

**finallyME** · 11-19-2009, 11:18 AM

Here in the US, we don't believe in giving affordable housing to people who can't afford expensive housing. Instead we give them expensive houses that they can't afford. This is to make sure we don't discriminate against minorities and to ensure a total collapse of the housing industry. It also helps to humiliate the president that precedes you and blame it all on him.

**Rick** · 11-19-2009, 12:19 PM

So is that a vote for or against HFH?

**finallyME** · 11-19-2009, 12:39 PM

I am for it. First of all, it is NOT government run ( I think, correct me if I am wrong). They also generally build modest houses at a price point the residents can afford. What I don't approve of is government pressuring banks to give high risk loans so poor people can buy houses they can't afford.

**Rick** · 11-19-2009, 02:27 PM

I'll mark you down as a maybe.

**finallyME** · 11-19-2009, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by Rick

I'll mark you down as a maybe.

Fair enough

I do like to donate my sweat, time and sometimes money to help out someone who needs it. HFH does that.

**Rick** · 11-19-2009, 05:13 PM

I was just pulling your chain. I agree, it's a worthwhile project.

**chiangmaimav** · 11-19-2009, 07:07 PM

Thanks guys. I agree with all that you said. Actually I found out a bit about the HFH. it is not run by a government but was started by a businessman, whose name I forgot, who was an acquaintance of Jimmy Carter, which is how he got involved in it. The money people pay for the houses goes into next project, so it is a non-profit organization.