UTPMP strives to improve the quality of life of impoverished families through transitional houses and social inclusion programs in a joint effort between university volunteers and the communities. We denounce the precarious reality of the slums where millions of people live, involving the entire society in the task of constructing a Latin America that is more united and inclusive, without the injustice of poverty.
• Making A Roof for my Country's largest youth volunteer organization with a big impact on Latin America, which is able to unify under the dream of a more just and free of poverty, thousands of young people engaged and involved in each of the countries in Latin America by this common goal.
• Strengthen the organization through volunteer work and specific challenge: "To promote community development through the minimum housing to families living in extreme poverty and have no place worthy. •
- Achieve that young people can involve the whole society in this common endeavor to promote active participation by their governments, businesses, media, families, etc..
• Strengthen the organization through volunteer work and specific challenge: "To promote community development through the minimum housing to families living in extreme poverty and have no place worthy. •
- Achieve that young people can involve the whole society in this common endeavor to promote active participation by their governments, businesses, media, families, etc..
DEVELOPMENT MODEL
Phase I: Large-Scale Construction of Transitional Houses
At the start of our involvement in each community,
UTPMP efforts focus on solving the immediate
necessity of adequate shelter through the
construction of basic transitional houses for families
living in extreme poverty.
The construction process establishes the first bonds of
trust between volunteers and residents, beginning a
relationship that allows us to later continue with
more permanent work in the communities.
Additionally, it constitutes an entrance point for
many volunteers who have never before come close
to the harsh reality of poverty.
The transitional houses are made of wood and are designed to be low-cost, easy to construct,
and mobile. A typical house is 18 m2 (6x3) in size and costs US $1,600, of which
the beneficiary family contributes 10 percent3; it is built in two days by a team of eight to ten
volunteers working alongside the beneficiary family.
Transitional homes allow Latin America’s poorest populations to have a private and decent
shelter that protects against rain, cold and infestations as well as providing security and a
defense against crime. These basic results have long-term impacts which are currently being
evaluated in the impact study “Building a Brighter Future: A Randomized Experiment of Slum-
Housing Upgrading.” For example, reduced illness, better security and a place to study often
prevent children from dropping out of school.
At the start of our involvement in each community,
UTPMP efforts focus on solving the immediate
necessity of adequate shelter through the
construction of basic transitional houses for families
living in extreme poverty.
The construction process establishes the first bonds of
trust between volunteers and residents, beginning a
relationship that allows us to later continue with
more permanent work in the communities.
Additionally, it constitutes an entrance point for
many volunteers who have never before come close
to the harsh reality of poverty.
The transitional houses are made of wood and are designed to be low-cost, easy to construct,
and mobile. A typical house is 18 m2 (6x3) in size and costs US $1,600, of which
the beneficiary family contributes 10 percent3; it is built in two days by a team of eight to ten
volunteers working alongside the beneficiary family.
Transitional homes allow Latin America’s poorest populations to have a private and decent
shelter that protects against rain, cold and infestations as well as providing security and a
defense against crime. These basic results have long-term impacts which are currently being
evaluated in the impact study “Building a Brighter Future: A Randomized Experiment of Slum-
Housing Upgrading.” For example, reduced illness, better security and a place to study often
prevent children from dropping out of school.
Phase II: Social Inclusion Programs
This phase develops social inclusion through the implementation of social training programs
led by volunteers in areas such as education, healthcare, economic development,
microfinance, vocational training, legal aid, and cultural and recreational education. These
programs are organized around weekly Community Meetings, where residents formally discuss
community issues through representatives and elected leaders. Through these meetings
settlers begin to believe in themselves and in the strength of community organization,
empowering them to overcome their learned helplessness and participate in formal networks
and democratic space.
Phase III: Sustainable Communities
In the final phase, UTPMP helps slum-dwellers develop their own sustainable community with
strong social capital, bonds between neighbors and links to external networks. The goal is for
residents to unify as a community and work together for the common good, organizing and
participating directly as well as democratically electing representatives to lead the process.
The community must determine its own priorities, examine problems, brainstorm solutions
and develop concrete goals and methods to achieve them.
Because sustainable communities stem from the ideas of the residents in each location, this
phase will naturally vary between countries. However, where permitted by governmental
housing policies, it may include the construction of definitive housing; such is the case in
Chile, where UTPMP has coordinated efforts of technical organizations (architects,
engineers), government, community, and legal areas of operation to construct definitive
neighborhoods for 9,000 families by 2010
This phase develops social inclusion through the implementation of social training programs
led by volunteers in areas such as education, healthcare, economic development,
microfinance, vocational training, legal aid, and cultural and recreational education. These
programs are organized around weekly Community Meetings, where residents formally discuss
community issues through representatives and elected leaders. Through these meetings
settlers begin to believe in themselves and in the strength of community organization,
empowering them to overcome their learned helplessness and participate in formal networks
and democratic space.
Phase III: Sustainable Communities
In the final phase, UTPMP helps slum-dwellers develop their own sustainable community with
strong social capital, bonds between neighbors and links to external networks. The goal is for
residents to unify as a community and work together for the common good, organizing and
participating directly as well as democratically electing representatives to lead the process.
The community must determine its own priorities, examine problems, brainstorm solutions
and develop concrete goals and methods to achieve them.
Because sustainable communities stem from the ideas of the residents in each location, this
phase will naturally vary between countries. However, where permitted by governmental
housing policies, it may include the construction of definitive housing; such is the case in
Chile, where UTPMP has coordinated efforts of technical organizations (architects,
engineers), government, community, and legal areas of operation to construct definitive
neighborhoods for 9,000 families by 2010
