👷🏽♂️💻 WEBSITE STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION 🖥️👷🏾♂️
To Build A dome Home
“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children” -Solomon- circa 1010 BCE
Having lived among the Mackua people of northern Mozambique I have had the privilege of witnessing their kindness, generosity, resourcefulness and endurance. Being able to thrive and prosper in difficult circumstances, the Mackua have learned to live off the land for generations. Unfortunately the building methods for this once nomadic tribe have NOT changed, even after they adopted a more sedentary lifestyle. The traditional methods they utilize entail: mud bricks or mud stucco, bamboo, grass rope, wooden beams, and grass thatch roofs. Although all of these materials are fairly inexpensive due to their availability, they have terrible disadvantages. Termites thrive from all of these building materials, devouring them all and leaving only red clay and/or ashesin their wake.
Unfortunately, the only locally available preventative solution for termites is burned motor oil. As a consequence of using motor oil all of these flammable materials become even more of a fire hazard.
With the development of roads into remote areas have improved some of those building styles. Flimsy tin sheets have helped replace the fire prone grass roofs. Concrete stucco has helped the house sides withstand the monsoon seasons better. The electrification of rural communities has lowered the fires caused by candles and oil lamps, but has increased the deaths by electrocution or fires caused by short circuits and sparks.
These improvements do NOT fix the root cause of the issues. Fires are still common, termites will be feeding on the structure from the first day of construction, and wind storms are notorious for ripping off house tin roofs. Houses built with these traditional methods usually withstand 6-10 years of rain seasons. After the houses fall, none of the materials are salvageable, so the affected families have to start a new building project, consuming savings, valuable resources, and hundreds of hours of labor that could be used elsewhere. The need to reconstruct and rebuild every decade or less has literally trapped people in a never ending cycle of poverty. A radical solution is what we propose.
Our organization, Radical Homes, is on a mission to change lives and redefine housing standards in Northern Mozambique, offering innovative solutions to address the pressing challenges faced by local communities. We are driven by a vision of creating a legacy of enduring homes that not only provide shelter but also empower families thru inheritance to thrive for generations to come. Recognizing the urgent need for sustainable housing solutions, we embarked on a journey to introduce this radical alternative – dome homes inspired by the strength and resilience of nature. Drawing from years of experience and expertise in unconventional construction practices of the Texas company Monolithic Dome Institute and Domes for Humanity we have adjusted their proven method by combining locally sourced materials and unconventional design to create homes that are not only bulletproof but also are impervious to termites, fire, and cyclones, but also offer unparalleled longevity and durability.
Our approach goes beyond mere construction; it is rooted in a philosophy of empowerment and community engagement. By providing training and employment opportunities to local unskilled and uneducated villagers, we are equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge to build their own homes, fostering self-sufficiency and resilience within the community. Through hands-on experiences and collaborative efforts, we aim to break the cycle of poverty that has long plagued the region, empowering families to build brighter futures for themselves and future generations.
Each dome home we construct is a testament to our commitment to excellence and innovation. From basic models to fully finished turn-key homes, our range of construction caters to diverse needs and budgets, ensuring accessibility for all members of the community. With prices ranging from $650 to $2100, our homes offer exceptional value to families by providing families with a safe, secure, and sustainable living environment for years to come.
Each dome home we construct is a testament to our commitment to excellence and innovation. From basic models to fully finished turn-key homes, our range of construction caters to diverse needs and budgets, ensuring accessibility for all members of the community. With prices ranging from $650 to $2100, our homes offer exceptional value to families by providing families with a safe, secure, and sustainable living environment for years to come.
my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. --hosea 4:6-
Radical Homes - Giving a hand UP, instead of a hand OUT
We have usually 12-22 workers on salary, in most cases they are the ONLY providers for the home, meaning somehow over the past 5 years we have became responsible for feeding aprox 130 people and 20 at home. These villagers working along side us have learned technical skills such as Construction, Carpentry, Metal Works, Masonry and Mechanics as well as digging concrete lined water wells to provide clean water for families. Giving them the option to search for better and higher wages than the ones we can offer. We are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of those we serve. Join us in our mission to create a brighter future for all.
