Mud to Mortar with ARCHIVE Global

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When a family’s floor is merely made of mud, it makes for a dwelling surrounded by constant threats to health and wellbeing.

And when people in this world see a problem and strive to find the most applicable solution (without changing ones cultural or traditions)… that positivity can change the world. In this case, a positive change for hundreds of families across Bangladesh, Africa, and even the United States.

ARCHIVE Global is a not-for-profit organization that is making an impactful difference in the lives of many and is shaping the mold for NGO’s across the globe.

Through their “Mud to Mortar” mission, they replace floors of homes previously founded with only mud to architecturally sound materials. This in turn improves the durability, cleanliness and health of not only the home but the ones who live inside of it.

Based out of New York City, ARCHIVE Global is equipped with an arsenal of professional architects that hold distinguished degrees and work vigorously to obtain the most effective flooring methods for people in need.

I was able to witness ARCHIVE Global work with ADESH (a Bangladesh based NGO), two organizations a world apart, team up together and set their alike sights and minds on genuinely renovating the living conditions of hundreds of people. I was sincerely humbled.

On top of strong teamwork, ARCHIVE and ADESH help villagers with responsibility and future health practices. The Mud to Mortar program gives charity to those in need, but also upholds lessons in money management, business practices and health. The villagers have a responsibility to talk with the organization, fill out applications and keep up with minimal payments. The recipients of the home renovation contribute about 10% of the total cost of the floor over an extended period of time. The families are also asked to attend meetings where ADESH (ARCHIVE’s local partner on the ground) teaches them hygiene, how to keep food away from insects, and the best practices for health inside the home.

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Fighting diseases within bangladesh’s impoverished citizens:

1 || A National Agricultural Census report has said that Bangladesh is currently home to 16.5 million farmer families.

2 || 43% of the total population in Bangladesh lives on less than $1 a day.

3 || One in five people live below the poverty line.

4 || Problems for impoverished farmers include: inadequate credit support, unfair price of produce, and insufficient investment in research.

5 || 63% of households in Bangladesh have dirt floors.

6 || Complete substitution of dirt floors by cement floors in a house can lead to a 78% reduction in parasitic infestation, 49% reduction in diarrhea and 81% reduction in anemia.

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MUD TO MORTAR INITIATIVE:

"ARCHIVE stands for: Architecture for Health in Vulnerable Environments. ARCHIVE Global believes that health should not be negatively impacted by the state of housing.

Operating in the spaces of development, health, and architecture, we prioritize housing design as a key strategy in combating disease around the world.”

-ARCHIVE Global

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“A cemented base home that has been painted red, means it was built by ARCHIVE Global and ADESH. When you drive through Savar, you can see the homes that are red.”

- Subrato Day, Executive Director ADESH

03.09.2020

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My favorite part about filming this documentary…

 was seeing the eyes of the female-in-charge as they unveiled the new floors. How proud they were to clean and move their belongings back into the home. 

And… my favorite fact I learned while in Bangladesh, was finding out that the lead female of the house is responsible for financial matters and are keepers of the keys to their homes. They tie the keys to the top of their shari’s (traditional dress) every day. 

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Read Into More Facts of the Film

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