RAFT1

I would have to say I’m a believer in equality and empowerment. I have been like this for as far back as me can remember. I don’t like to see people used for no less than their greatest abilities. I believe that all we need to do is look back in our past to find answers to our mounting social problems, its all there all for the seeker and for all there for the taking "recycled solutions of yesterday become the new innovations of the present day!!" <br> <br/> So yes I look to the future with a great belief that "will and determination" driven by good intentions can lead us to better lives and better communities for all, while at the same time honoring those of the past that had the original idea to begin with. I want to stress that leading by example and trying to do your best can go along way in any community and the positive outcomes will be far greater than you ever could have imagined. <br> <br/> Leading by example empowers others to follow suit, a good thing can be rather contagious. I have had 2 successful businesses, worked as a Teacher, worked for the E.P.A, traveled a bit of the globe and come to find that its not all about making massive amounts of money and overlooking the underlying problems of our societies, its usually money and blinding greed that get us further into the rat hole and furthers the degradation of our societies and communities. I’m a graduate of Sir Sanford Fleming College where I studied oil, water, environmental drilling and blasting but it’s not a field I work in as I don’t see how any of it is sustainable. I was young at that time and blinded by the money that one could make, but I just couldn’t do that. If, I was to drill it would be for water and that would be about it! <br> <br/> For the past 6 months I have worked as a renewable energy consultant and for the past 5 years I have studied and researched sustainable development for developing countries. I’m very knowledgeable about renewable energies, bio-fuels, fresh water development, agriculture, aquaculture and trade. I’m a cofounder of Project RAFT Int’l <a href=" http://www.projectraft.org " class="norm_links"> Project RAFT Int'l </a> <br> <br/> In our society - It’s all about "treating" the problem which most of society would like for you to believe. For me its about stamping out the root problem in the first place but due to the media, and public spin the "laymen" the very same people who really have all the power and influence to change their society are transformed by their society to believe that they are inferior and are taught to look up to so called "smart" or superior members weather it be the rich businessmen, the Politician, the Priest or the PhD they tend to look to them for the answers and feed right back into the greed driven "treat the problem psychosis rather than fix the problem� Why is it like this? One answer- greed driven industry! There is no money in the cure! <br> <br/> This process gets rather boring and childish and once you discover that this is going on throughout most of your life and throughout your society and hopefully one day like perhaps "today" you suddenly "snap out of it" and start to live a more aware reality. Then I believe that this is the day your re-born and you crawl out of your shell and begin to view society through a different lense of focus. <br> <br/> It takes a lot of humility and observation to get there but like so many of us have done and are continuously doing each of us have the ability to snap out of this pre-conditioned reality. You come to realize the games of society and it is no more than "childish school yard tactics complete with the bullies and the teachers who want to spend so much time educating you rather than empowering you." It’s rubbish and it stinks! There is a big difference between empowerment and education my dear friends! I will not get down on our society I will only offer empowerment and practical solutions as this is the reason why I wanted to share this blog with this community. <br> <br/> The reason why I’m here is because I found a story today in the GLOBE AND MAIL News Paper. This is the same place where I discovered this very interesting website of very real people and about our very real communities. <br> <br/> The story was about our dear friend Chris "Gardener" The man with a home under the Gardener express way in Toronto. This man has lived there for 8 years and shares his home with others in his community. I must commend Chris for his way of life and self-empowerment. He’s truly a man that is leading by example. His ingenuity is very evident, his skills are recognizable, he’s a burden to no one and doesn't want to be, he gets by on our waste and offers his home to others who don’t have one, talk about a community leader or what! <br> <br/> So this is the where I want to offer an opportunity for Chris and his community. If and when Chris gets torn down which I hope does not happen, but if and when I want to offer the next chapter for Chris’s saga. I have discovered how to make super adobe structures, these structures and principals are ancient Iranian technology. <br> <br/> The structures are more structurally sound than current building methods and are many times less expensive. Being fire resistant, flood resistant and earth quake proof, super adobe is like no other. The insulating properties are absolutely amazing being cool in the summer time and warm in the winter the genius lay in the simple design and choosen materials. <br> <br/> Dr. Nader Khalili an Iranian Architect who resides in California has built and entire community of these and other sustainable structures they can be seen and explained at <a href=" http://www.calearth.org " class="norm_links"> CAL EARTH </a> Proven and tested many times over the years using California building codes and earth quake simulation machines the structure never fell and the machines broke down before a single wall or ceiling collapsed. <br> <br/> The reason why, you’re wondering? Simple they are made of earth, pvc bags, and barb wire. Earth can move and absorb shock! The method itself is rather just as simple as filling long 20� diameter pvc bags with earth that is mixed with a little water and cement until full and round. Lay the bags down on the ground. <br> <br/> Next place a strip of barb wire on top of the bag, press it in firmly into the bag! Next fill the next bag with the earth mixture until full and place it right on top of the barb wire and the first bag. The barb wire acts as a kind of barb bond and prevents slippage between the bags. Next cut a strip of barb wire and press it firmly into the second bag. Repeat many times until your walls are done. Earth don’t catch fire, can withstand flood, is a great insulator, can absorb movement and the best part is that it is found under our feet. <br> <br/> When done building your structure you cover the bags (walls) with a mixture of clay mud that is mixed with Portland cement or lime and a little water. Apply this mixture with a trowel. Smooth it out and let it dry and harden. <br> <br/> These structures can be built in any shape, round, dome, square any way you see fit. You need a team of 3-4 people and 7 days to construct an 800 square foot home. To build you super adobe structure you only need simple tools such as old paint cans these are used to fill the bags with the earth mixture. Cross cut saw so to cut out your windows and doors. Using a tamper or some old bricks you tamp the bags flat and level one on a top each other to create level walls, side cutters to cut the barb wire and gloves to handle it, a level and as many hands that you can conger up. <br> <br/> So if anyone would like to offer their opinions or there hands to help I say lets get on it and get a forum started. I have a few gallons of biodiesel to trade for some simple tools. I would like to keep trading until we can get a roll of adobe bags which can be bought in Cleveland Ohio for about $1000 USD- Enough here to make about 3 houses. <br> <br/> I can be emailed at project.raft@gmail.com <br> <br/> Thanks again RAFT1