5.1. Prototype Adjustments

And the Irish NGO, they have given a kind of target working group and the shelter working group along with the Irish NGO goal with coordination with the UNHCR, they developed a kind of joint shelter strategy. So, they have been some, this particular strategy have addressed some key issues, that has to be included in the process.

A joint shelter strategy has been developed involving an Irish NGO and the UNHCR. This strategy was designed to target key issues related to shelter for vulnerable populations, ensuring that the most affected groups such as women-headed families or the elderly are prioritized in the shelter selection process. Collaboration among organizations is crucial to address the diverse needs of these communities effectively.

Imagine a group of teachers working together to create an educational plan for a school with students from different backgrounds. Each teacher brings expertise about their subjects and students' needs, so the final plan is comprehensive and accounts for every student’s learning requirements, just like the NGOs and UNHCR collaborated for shelter.

So, the widely varying degree of shelter experience and knowledge of design and construction between assistance agencies, which can lead to inadequate solutions with significant variance between shelter solutions. So, also there is a disconnect between the transitional shelter and the permanent provision and design of uncertainty because we are not sure how this is going to turn out, so the durable shelter end-point was unknown.

Different organizations have varying levels of experience and knowledge in providing shelter, which can result in inconsistent or insufficient solutions. A major concern is the gap between transitional shelters, which are temporary, and the design of permanent shelters, creating uncertainty about the long-term living conditions for those affected. We often don't know what the final solution will be, making planning difficult.

Think of a restaurant that uses different chefs for each dish. One chef may excel at making appetizers while another specializes in desserts. Sometimes the dishes may not blend well, leading to a confusing dining experience — similar to how differing knowledge can lead to inadequate shelter solutions.

There is also need to integrate livelihood assistance with shelter provision because it is not just for the home we are providing, how they can procure their livelihood later on, how they can do their farming facilities, how they can if there any labour how can they can get the work. So, this is all the livelihood aspects which has to be addressed.

Providing shelter alone is insufficient; it's essential to also support the occupants’ ability to earn a living. This includes granting access to basic resources for farming, securing jobs, or setting up small businesses. Therefore, effective shelter solutions must also consider the livelihoods of those affected to ensure long-term sustainability and well-being.

Imagine giving someone a fishing boat but not teaching them how to fish — they may have the means to live on the water, but without the necessary skills or resources, they'll struggle to sustain themselves. Similarly, shelters should also empower communities and support their livelihoods.

In the household selection, in assisting target group one, the following prerequisites has been applied where the security in the area of return, because the first and prior most is because already they have been undergoing a lot of shocks because of the political stresses. So, first thing we have to ensure the security in the area of return, household registration that is where they have to register or the beneficiaries and all.

When selecting households to receive assistance, several criteria must be met. Top priority is ensuring security in the area where beneficiaries will return, especially after experiencing instability due to political conflicts. Additionally, households must be properly registered, confirming their eligibility for assistance. These steps help ensure that only those truly in need receive help.

Imagine planning a reunion for your family where only certain family members who have been through a tough time are invited. It's important to ensure their safety and to have a list of who everyone is to make sure no one gets left out, just as organizations must ensure security and proper registration when selecting households.

But the problem is, with this kind of categories, it’s not possible to accommodate everyone. Everyone may not have procured the land, everyone may not have able to afford to make their own move you know, so there is a bit complex situation of the resources, the financial resources may not be sufficient, for the whole entire community. So, that is where you need to select only the needy is to given the priority for the neediest households and would be eligible for shelter assistance with priority.

Due to limited resources, not all individuals or families can be accommodated. Many might lack access to land or means to relocate, creating complex challenges in resource management. Thus, a priority system is established to ensure that assistance targets those in greatest need. This approach helps allocate resources more effectively and fairly.

Think of a small charity that collects food for those in need. If they don't have enough to provide for everyone, they must choose to help only the families who are in the most urgent need, similar to how shelter assistance needs to prioritize the most vulnerable.

And then shelter design, because this is where the owner driven practices are already advocated in many disaster and displacement practices.

Shelter design plays a crucial role in ensuring that the constructed homes are both practical and sustainable. Owner-driven practices advocate for designs that allow the affected individuals to have input and control over their living conditions. This approach not only empowers them but also results in shelters that better fit their needs.

It's like customizing your own pizza rather than ordering a standard one — you get to choose your favorite toppings and make it unique to your taste. Similarly, an owner-driven approach to shelter design lets communities personalize their homes.

Ability to upgrade temporary shelters into permanent houses, relocation of shelters or disassembly of shelter materials with meaningful reuse.

One of the goals for shelter provision is to allow for temporary structures to be upgraded to permanent houses. In addition, when shelters need to be relocated, materials should be reusable to minimize waste and optimize resources. This plan encourages sustainability and adapts to changing needs.

Think of building a sandcastle on the beach. If the tide comes in, you can dismantle parts of it and use the sand to build a new castle in a different shape. Similarly, shelters can be reconfigured or improved upon based on the community's changing needs.

They have also adopted some basic principles. You know, one is the ability to build and inhabit the shelter within two days of receiving assistance.

The design process for shelters includes adopting principles that allow rapid assembly and habitation, often within just a couple of days. This ensures that displaced families can quickly have a roof over their heads, minimizing their discomfort during transitions. Utilizing local materials helps achieve this speed and appropriateness.

Imagine a friend who can set up a tent quickly for a camping trip. They know exactly how to assemble it using familiar materials, ensuring that they spend more time enjoying nature instead of worrying about shelter, just like these basic principles facilitate quick shelter setup.

The beneficiaries will then build the walls with materials locally available such as additional corrugated iron sheets, mud and straw bricks.

After receiving the basic structure for their shelter, beneficiaries are encouraged to personalize and complete their homes using local materials. This not only fosters a sense of ownership and belonging but also allows families to use resources they are familiar with, thereby enhancing the shelters beyond just the basic framework provided.

It's akin to a gift from a friend where they give you a plain canvas. You then paint it and decorate it in your personal style, transforming it into something uniquely yours — just as families enhance their shelters with materials they resonate with.

Based on these guidelines, for GOAL and UNHCR brought local artisans to upgrade, to build prototypes in this Nakuru place.

To improve upon the shelter designs, local artisans were engaged to create prototypes based on the guidelines developed by the GOAL and UNHCR. This pilot project allowed for experimentation and testing of different designs in real-world scenarios, providing valuable feedback that could shape future shelters.

Think of a tech company that releases a beta version of a new app — they test it with real users who can provide feedback about functionality. This process then leads to improvements that enhance the final product, similarly, artists and locals provide input for better shelter designs.

However, the artisans started modifying the design, the pole sizes were too small and inadequately spaced, built a housing frame using a vernacular technology of the Rift Valley.

While local artisans were involved in the design process, some issues like inadequate pole sizes and spacing became apparent. These modifications were necessary to ensure the structural integrity of the housing frame and to adapt the design to the local vernacular architecture, which makes use of traditional building techniques suitable for the area.

Imagine following an online tutorial to build furniture. Eventually, you find that some measurements are off for your particular space, forcing you to adjust and adapt as you go along, similar to how artisans had to modify shelter designs to fit practical needs.

Many felt it was small, but then the introduction of this plastic sheeting has a temporary wall material that many people as a psychological interpretation, they felt it is not durable.

Feedback from users indicated that while some aspects of the shelter design were deemed inadequate, such as size, there were also concerns regarding the materials used. In particular, the introduction of plastic sheeting as a temporary wall was viewed by many as not durable enough for long-term use, highlighting the need for material improvement.

It's like trying on shoes that look good but feel uncomfortable — no matter how trendy they are, if they don't fit well, you'll want better options. Similarly, shelter users prioritize comfort and durability over mere aesthetics.

A bill of quantity has been derived from the prototype shelter and where a standard shelter kit has been developed, about 497 shelter kits in its Nakuru warehouse.

After gathering feedback from the prototypes, a standard shelter kit was created, establishing a quantifiable cost and specification for mass distribution. In this instance, 497 shelter kits became available for delivery, ensuring that resources are managed efficiently while keeping costs within budget.

Consider a recipe that requires specific ingredients to prepare a meal for many guests. Once you calculate the needs, you can effectively shop and distribute the supplies. Similarly, creating a detailed bill of quantities helps in managing shelter needs systematically.

Then, the community members offload the truck and then they divided the materials into kits and each household then arranged the transportation from the distribution point to their home.

Community engagement was vital in the distribution process of shelter kits. After receiving supplies, community members took responsibility for dividing materials into kits and arranging their own transport to get these materials to their homes, ensuring active participation in the aid process.

It's similar to a neighborhood potluck where everyone brings a dish. After receiving the contributions, everyone pitches in to set the table and serve the food together, creating a sense of community and shared responsibility.

The artisans assisted beneficiaries in setting out the shelters, monitored the quality and provided the technical assistance but most of these kits have been erected in a days’ time you know 2 days, 3 days.

Artisans provided crucial support during the setting up of the shelters, ensuring quality control and offering technical advice to beneficiaries. This guidance contributed to the rapid assembly of shelters, typically taking only a few days, demonstrating efficiency and effective use of local knowledge.

Imagine DIY home improvement shows. Experts guide homeowners through each step, ensuring they get it right while finishing the project quickly. Artisans play a similar role, helping families achieve quick and successful shelter setups.

Personalization is a natural response to the cultural deficiencies and as well as economic feasibilities and opportunities.

In the context of building shelters, personalization refers to the adjustments made by families to reflect their cultural identities and economic capabilities. As people adapt their shelters, they address their unique needs and preferences, creating a sense of belonging and ownership over their new homes.

Imagine when you move into a new house; you paint the walls your favorite colors or hang pictures that represent your family — personal touches that make a place feel like home. Similarly, people adapt their shelters with what they have to make them uniquely theirs.

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