Cali will have “House Doctors” to improve the homes of vulnerable families

CAF-development bank of Latin America, the city of Cali, DOW Colombia, Conceptos Plasticos, CEDECUR, Habitat for Humanity, and Fundefir, trained 27 Cali citizens in the “House Doctors” methodology, within the framework of CAF’s social innovation project that improves living conditions in vulnerable households through the use of plastic that escapes collection systems.

This training course covered master builders who are now certified as “House Doctors”, including training in best practices, healthy housing construction techniques, including hydro-sanitary aspects and waste management procedures.  The course was supported by the Special Public Services Administrative Unit in Cali (UAESP), the Swisscontact Foundation and Gerfor.

CAF’s Director of Social Innovation, Ana Mercedes Botero, explained the relevance of the model: “It is a triple impact method where everyone wins. Besides helping relieve the problem of qualitative housing shortage and plastic pollution, it also empowers the community and particularly the master builders to become agents of change that can improve living and safety conditions.”

According to Yasmin Gómez, DOW’s Plastic Market Manager, “this is an example of how Dow collaborates with others to positively impact the community. In this case, we are seeking to close the plastic lifecycle to solve two current problems: collecting waste from the environment and providing housing solutions for those who need it the most. The House Doctors are our field collaborators who share the benefits of our project among families.”

The “House Doctors” received their certification from the National Training Service (SENA) in a ceremony held at the Cali Comfenalco Auditorium.