When the tsunami hit his village almost two years ago, Winoon Turun and his family were among the many at Tha Chatchai, Phuket, who lost one of the most crucial and basic needs for any human being - a home.

After months of darkness, trying to survive each day without knowing how the future would unfold, help from Habitat for Humanity arrived.

An international non-profit organisation focusing on providing decent housing for those in need, the group launched a special project to help tsunami victims.

Unlike other groups that came to simply construct houses, Habitat for Humanity's philosophy in helping went beyond merely building homes.

"Our intention is to help strengthen the community spirit so that one day, when we have moved out to help people in another region, they can still stay together and be able to take care of themselves," says Chainarong Monthienvichienchai, chairman of the board of Habitat for Humanity Thailand.

One of their initiatives is to use the "interlocking earth block" method to build houses.

The block is the product of a relatively new innovative construction technique developed in France, says one Habitat for Humanity Thailand staff member. Each block contains 75 per cent clay soil, 20 per cent sand and 5 per cent cement.

They are chosen to be the main material for building because they are water-resistant, nice to look at and cheap and easy to produce locally, using readily available dirt.

"Villagers who make these blocks by themselves and help each other build houses form closer relationships in the community," says Chainarong.

It takes roughly 2,000 blocks and a month of labour to build a house. Several villagers in Tha Chatchai joined hands in building homes for their neighbours, including Winoon, a fisherman.

Since the beginning of the project, Winoon spent four days every week helping build houses for villagers, including his. He is one of the several other villagers who are heavily involved with the house-building process.

"I do it from my heart. I just want to help," says Winoon.

Besides bringing people together, making these bricks can also be a new career for some villagers.

Veerayuth Namchan was one of the tsunami victims. He was fortunate not to have lost his house, though it was considerably damaged. He too has been an active participant in the Habitat for Humanity project. And during his volunteer work, he spotted a business opportunity.

"It just came to my mind that building these blocks can be a business. I can sell them to people who want to expand their houses. Other volunteer projects, as well as hotels and resorts in other regions, also order these bricks from me," says Veerayuth, who has been in business for two months and can now produce up to 300 blocks a day.

Veerayuth's entrepreneurial spirit is exactly what Habitat for Humanity tries to encourage.

"His success in starting his own business is what we want to achieve. Our long-term goal is to see people become self-reliant and continue doing well after we leave," says Chainarong.

The success of Habitat for Humanity Thailand in Phuket prompted interest from its international body. Earlier this month, Tha Chatchai received a visit from former US president Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn, the group's most famous volunteers.

Since 1984, the Carters have volunteered one week every year helping build homes and raise awareness about the need for simple, decent and affordable housing. This year, Carter's personal Habitat for Humanity project went to a place near Bombay in India.

Carter, 82, flew from India to look in on Tha Chatchai during a two-hour visit. "This is not a sacrifice. We are impressed by the beauty of the initiatives you've taken to repair homes after the tsunami," he told the villagers.

Carter maintained that his role was to encourage people, particularly the rich, to help out. His being in Thailand would also remind people of what happened here two years ago and that many people who suffered then are still suffering.

The Nobel laureate also visited Veerayuth's production site and helped make a block during his visit. He also visited other villagers' houses, including that of Winoon's. He was enthusiastic throughout the entire visit, says Chainarong, who accompanied Carter on his visit.

"[Carter] told me that he really enjoys volunteering. What keeps him coming back was the feeling he gets when he gives the key of a new house over to the new owner. He said it is an overwhelming experience," says Chainarong.

Perhaps Winoon shares the same feeling. The fisherman says he no longer has to worry where him and his family will be sleeping each night. After all, there is no better feeling than knowing that there's a place called home.

Sopaporn Kurz

The Nation