The happiness of a homeowner

Building homes in the Ivory Coast

"I was ashamed and felt powerless. I could not take care of my family properly. My dream was one day to have a house, where my family could live in safety." Kouadio Atodoman.

Kouadio Atodoman lives in Ouangui, a small village located in the eastern Zanzan region of Ivory Coast. He was blinded in an accident. According to the Ivory Coast government an estimated 90,000 people live, like Kouadio, with a disability; often they are amongst the poorest people in their communities.

In order to try and overcome some of the problems faced by disabled people in the country a new law was brought in during 1998 – giving disabled people the same rights as able-bodied people to employment and services such as education and training.

But in a country where many disabled people are not aware of their rights, do not have money to access legal advice and face deep-rooted discriminatory attitudes these new found rights are not easy to uphold and it can be extremely difficult for people to break out of the vicious cycle of poverty and disability.

For some people living with disabilities in Ouangui however, there have been some positive changes. With funding from the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission, Habitat for Humanity in Ouangui worked with and supported ten people with disabilities to build decent houses for themselves and their families. Kouadio was one of them.

The priorities for Kouadio and others living with disabilities in his community were no different from their able-bodied neighbours – with all wanting a safe and decent place to live. The difference was however that for many their disability prevented them making a living, which in turn meant they lacked the resources to be able to build better homes, as Ouangui villager, Koffi Paul Maurice states: "I was a farmer and really enjoyed the work. But while working in the field I cut myself with my machete. I received treatment, but it was in vain. My wound developed into a tumour, so the doctor decided to amputate my arm to save my life. Since then I have not been able to farm."

Before the new houses were built the families lived in traditional mud brick houses. During the rainy season the dirt floors were a breeding ground for malaria-carrying mosquitoes and the houses were at risk of collapsing altogether under the weight of the driving rains.

In contrast the new Habitat for Humanity houses have cement floors, brick walls and corrugated iron roofs as well as toilets – all of which reduces the risk of sickness, disease and accidents. Family members were asked to provide 'sweat equity' – i.e. volunteer labour – to keep the cost of building to a minimum and will repay 20 per cent of the house costs back in the form of monthly no-interest payments. These payments will go into a revolving fund and will allow more houses to be built for the remaining families in Ouangui with disabled family members.

As well as providing new homes the building work has also helped many of the disabled people involved to regain some self-esteem and pride. Kouakou Assemian Pierre explains: "My disability broke me morally. I used to feel useless in life. I was not able to enjoy life and felt I was of no help to others. Habitat for Humanity has given me hope and taught me to see things differently."

The problems faced by those living with a disability in Ouangui will not be solved overnight. However, having a safe and decent place to live has provided hope to many that this is just the beginning, as Kouadio N'goran Serge says: "I thank you for letting me feel the happiness of being a homeowner and for enabling me to take care of my future and the future of my brothers."

Experience of a volunteer in Africa and the Middle East

Read more about Habitat for Humanity's work in the Ivory Coast