Build a City Project Heading Down Home Stretch
Cleveland, TN–People for Care and Learning (PCL) recently launched a social media initiative to spark local support for the remaining Build a City houses in need of construction. The initiative carries the hashtag #last300.
Jake Stum, assistant director, said there are 300 houses in need of funding and construction. Each house costs approximately $1,000 to build. The homes will be a part of the more than $2.5 million initiative set in An Dong Village in Cambodia.
Stum said he would like to see PCL’s hometown of Cleveland, Tennessee be a major support for the remaining homes.
“Cleveland has been amazing to us and enthusiastic. So many different organizations, individuals and churches have gotten involved,” he said. “We (Cleveland) are sister cities with Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and have a great relationship with their government. It would be a huge testimony that we do what we said we would do and that we are there to help the poor and that we are an advocate for those who need help.”
The Build A City dedication will take place in May 2015. Stum said 75 people will be joining the PCL staff for the event. The completed project will be a new community with 1,000 homes, a health clinic, marketplace for 13 small businesses, paved streets, clean water, a church and free English classes for residents.
Approximately 700 homes have been funded through donations, Build a City home parties, individual initiatives and group fundraisers. Stum said he would like #last300 to connect the separate projects across the social media platforms. He suggested individuals keep the conversation going with the hashtag included in posts on Twitter and Facebook.
Stum explained homes are built in rows of 10. Churches, individuals, businesses and organizations could finance one row for $10,000. The name of the road would then be named after a person, place, business or organization of the fundraiser’s choice.
The homes are being constructed on the old and new An Dong Village property. Stum said approximately 300 homes have been built on the old property with more than 600 homes on the new land. Families have already been assigned homes on the old property.
“There is a family who talked about how bad it was during the rainy season, because the water would literally come up into their home,” he said. “It would bring in rats and snakes and worms. She talked about having to get rid of those animals every time it rained.
“She said she loves being in a house that doesn’t flood. It is not unsafe for her children. They have running water and a toilet that flushes.”
PCL conducted a survey prior to the start of BAC to determine the number of families in need of a home. Stum said the dedication of the city will not conclude the nonprofit’s involvement in An Dong Village and other Cambodian projects. He explained the focus will switch from construction to human development. Residents will be taught home care and skills for work, education and life.
“I think it is important for Cleveland specifically because Cleveland has gotten very excited about this project,” Stum said. “It has been very encouraging for us to see partners in Cleveland, and to see those who were not partners jump on board because of the Build a City project.
“This community is the one who launched it and kicked it off and helped us start really strong. I think it would be great if this community helped us finish strong, too.”
Donations can be made to www.youcaring.com/last300. More information about hosting a house party, the Build a City project or People for Care and Learning can be found at www.pcl.is.
(Source: People for Care and Learning)
