It seems here in the US we tend to forget exactly where some items come from. My son was on a plane one day chatting with a college student seated next to him. They got on the subject of farming and she asked my son if farms were still around? Really!?
Well it’s kind of the same with timber. We go to a local house supply store, look at the piles of timber, pick out what we want and go. In Kenya it’s a bit different.
Saved By God’s Grace helped a family get a new roof on their home and here’s part of that process:
First you find a tree and thankfully a neighbor donated this tree, otherwise we would have had to purchase the tree.
Then they call in the one chainsaw in the area. That is no kidding either, normally there is only one chainsaw, if they are lucky. If no chainsaw is available then they chop it down manually. Once the tree is cut down the same chainsaw operator will then begin cutting boards with the same chainsaw! They are pretty precise too and can get a few boards from one tree!
The boards are laid out and you don’t get to choose the straightest ones either…you get the whole tree no matter how crooked the board is!
The boards are then taken to the job site, which is usually very near where the tree was cut. And everyone gets in on the labor, even mama!
Tin sheets are used for the roofing material and those are brought in rolled sheets and left in the home until needed, which is done basically so they aren’t left outside for someone to steal.
Getting families a new roof is one part of what Saved By God’s Grace is doing in Kenya. A new roof means no more sleeping under a leaky roof, possessions stay dry and animals stay out.
Please consider joining us in putting roofs up, feeding families, assisting with school fees, treating medical issues, encouraging community, spreading love and so much more through our outreaches in Kenya.