Architecture for Humanity - Myanmar Reconstruction Update

Myanmar Reconstruction Update

$10,000 in 24 hours, Help us reach the Mortar Net $2,500 Challenge Match


In the past 24 hours since we began an appeal for Myanmar (Burma) we've raised just over $10,000 from hundreds of individuals right here from this list. As a testament to small change making a difference, it was a $5 donation that put us over our initial target. Making an online donation allows us to make quick decisions on the scope of the impact we can make. I know around a dozen of you emailed to say your link was not working but you can now email directly from our site. Thank you to all those who have contributed, both big and small, and those that will over the next few days.

As Myanmar (Burma) has begun to loosen its doors to allow relief agencies US officials are reporting that the death toll may exceed 100,000 and that 1 million are displaced. To get a real clear picture of what we face, check out the images below. In the next few days we will contact all those who offered their services to discuss our approach.

Thank you,
Cameron and the Architecture for Humanity team.

How your contribution can make a difference:

$15,000 supports a design team for six months to a year.
$50,000 builds a transitional school (Just about the most important thing you can do as it allows parents to rebuild and begin working again. In Sri Lanka we built 6 of these for 1200 children.)
$150,000 builds a community complex for an entire community. (health clinic, daycare center, jobs training center, library, government offices and organic gardens.)

Architecture for Humanity supports long-term community-led reconstruction. Less than 8% of our funds go towards administration making us one of the most efficient charitable organizations in the United States.

Laekwood Art Walk

I am beginning to surmise that it may be possible to walk from one side of Cleveland to another via "art walks". I don't know who is the promiscuous artist behind all these art walks and art districts but I fear they are up to no good.

Regardless.

Lakewood Art Walk.pdf
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Various locations along Madison (check the pdf map, fool!)
2pm - 9pm

Tremont Art Walk

Yup, that time of the month again. It's like clockwork. Second Friday ALREADY!

Tremont Art Walk
Friday, May 9th, 2008
Tremont, Ohio
6-10pm

Walk around, enjoy the beautiful weather, look at stuff, etc.

|re|design cleveland joins LAUNCH - offers new design problems

Happy Jane Jacobs Day everyone!

As part of the recognition of the hard work and loyal dedication that Ms. Jacobs had to urban areas LAUNCH Cleveland and |re|design cleveland have joined up to bring a new series of design questions based upon the neighborhood street, who owns it and what it is used for.

The premise is a series of calls for ideas for various sites around Cleveland that could be possibly better used in order to create a stronger sense of community. These "queries" are asking for some sort of documentation of the ideas that designers, planners, neighbors typically muse over as a way to collect and demonstrate the full range and potential of how we, as a city, would like to see ourselves.

May is National Bike Month

May is National Bike Month and even though we got off to a wet and cold start there is no better time to get your heap out of the garage or basement, check the tires, chain and brakes, wipe off the cobwebs (and pull them out of your helmet) and go see your town or run errands without requiring any of that expensive gasoline.

Here in Cleveland we actually celebrate our own special Cleveland Bike Week (May 10th to May 17th) with a series of events, workshops and gatherings.

Not surprisingly most of the latest hub-bub has been about easier and safer work commuting via cycles. I know that I would love to have a safe and secure location to lock up my bike near where I work downtown. Not only would I save some money by not having to take the bus but I am pretty sure it would be good for me too (although you may argue that I have mild dispersions to doing things that would be considered "good for me").

Heck, if enough of us like minded folk start asking for it, we might actually get heard and someone may think about cyclists next time a public facility or roadway is planned. In the mean time there isn't any reason necessary to go out and have a good time.

Ohio City Bicycle Co-op is having a scavenger hunt May 17th.

And if you commute to work on a bike anyway you may want to check out Paul Dorn's Bike Commuting Tips on safety, security and not being stinky at work.