Audubon FFA members traveling to Haiti to build specialty homes for people in need had the chance to practice at the Audubon County Fair earlier this week. Eight students and two chaperones will be constructing Safe T Homes from Sukup manufacturing while in the country. Chapter Advisor, Brittany Elmquist, says the group spent a part of Tuesday building the 13.5 foot structure.
The buildings are made from 20 gauge corrugated galvanized steel and resistant to weather, earthquakes, termites and moisture. Each home has a life expectancy of about 75 years and can be constructed using only hand tools. Elmquist says a Safe T Home goes up quickly with enough people.
It costs approximately $18,000 to send 10 people on the trip, and Elmquist says they never would have been able to go without help from the community. She adds that building a Safe T home will allow donors to see how their money is being used.
The group was scheduled to arrive in Haiti on July 25, but unrest within the country has delayed to trip to the end of December. The Sukup Safe T Home is open to viewing near the Agri-Building throughout the Audubon County Fair, and students will be available Saturday, July 21 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to answer questions from the public. Photos from the construction can be found included below.
