Gaza Builds Sand Houses – A young engineer in Gaza builds sand houses, a testament to his tenacity and resourcefulness on a situation that has plagued the Gaza Strip for years.
Hassan Abu Kmeil, an engineer living in Gaza builds sand houses, as limited resources are allowed into Gaza given the military’s offensive on militants on that area which has destroyed homes and left many homeless.
While international organizations aids help Gaza build houses, it was left to other engineers the initiative on how they would build houses, often lowering their moral to the point that they just sit at home feeling useless. Not Kmeil, determined to build houses he uses the only abundant resource in the area: sand.
He has built many structures and will continue building sand houses in Gaza, he has created after school shelters, a villa, and changing rooms among others, a worthy achievement made only of sand. His workers fill the bags with sand and they are piled up, inspired by an Iranian engineer who built sandbags as makeshift shelters for an earthquake.
The downside to that sand houses in Gaza is its longevity. It is only estimated to last for only 35 years according to Kmeil and for sure sand building will not last given reports of material smuggling in Gaza and recycled cinder blocks are now made available. It may not be much but it is indeed a symbol of deep importance a testament to one’s own determination and resourcefulness.
Surely you would not plan to live in a sand house for too long would you? If you are interested feel free to contact the engineer, who in Gaza builds sand houses.
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