In 1991 TRADA initiated a project designed to promote the use of timber poles in construction in response to the shortage of affordable shelter available to the poorest communities of Sri Lanka, funded by the Department for International Development (DFID). It demonstrated that with appropriate treatment and design small diameter poles can be put to effective use by communities, resulting in sustainable and affordable housing and community buildings, without the need for special tools or skilled labour. Building was carried out in conjunction with the use of other appropriate environmentally friendly materials. Following the success of the work in Sri Lanka it was extended to Malawi and Zimbabwe.

Partnership

NGO, local community, donor agency