A photo from open sources
American senior citizen created “survival capsules” for those who for some reason was left without a roof over his head
A photo Open Source Former homeless from Utah, USA, developed the concept of mini-shelters that can be distributed to those in the present moment for some reason has nowhere to live.
“I believe that a person needs a sense of self dignity for something that he can call his, even if it just such a small refuge, “says Gary Pickering, a former car repair shop owner from Pleasant Grove, Utah.
Pickering, now 73 years old, was technically homeless in three years after his divorce in the 1980s when he lived in his workshop.
“I lost my house when I wrote all my property to my wife and to my children, ”Pickering says.“ But I had a roof over head. “Since his workshop was located in an industrial area, he met many homeless people who lived in broken cars or other nooks of the zone, and even lodged four of them in his van during a particularly cold winter. He found out, which means not having a roof over your head from people he met, who explained that they didn’t want to go to the shelter for different reasons from “They’ll steal my shoes” to “They don’t let me take my dog with you. ”
These lessons were left with Pickering, which already in 2009 – many years after he was already back on his feet – saw a homeless man driving through the nearby town of Provo. He went home and collected a two-meter residential “cocoon” of 60 centimeters wide, mostly made of plywood. “But when I came back to give it to that man, I couldn’t get him anywhere find, “he says.
After that, he decided to develop the concept of an ideal temporary shelters. And after several years of trial and error, he, in his opinion, managed to create the optimal “survival capsule”: it represents a micro-house of pressed wood with a wooden frame, 120 centimeters wide, 2.5 meters long, and with a soft roof plastic.
A photo from open sources
Inside it there is enough space for a sleeping bag, a lamp, a few small things, and even a specially designed one portable toilet. Plus, the shelter can be connected to electricity.
Pickering gathered five such shelters by investing his personal money, about $ 500 each.
“I did not do this as a business, I do not want to have a business. I just want to inspire others, “he says, explaining that he recorded all the instructions for creating such a house on DVD for people who have money and the desire to build such shelters for those who they need them. Then the homeless could pay a little for them “so that they have a little reason for pride, and they can say “this is mine” “, or could conclude a formal agreement on rent.
On top of that, he adds, shelters are made on wheels, so that they can be placed inside empty warehouses, hangars, or on any suitable plot of land outside the city.
These temporary shelters are mainly for those who found himself in an unexpected, short-term crisis. Given the fact that according to available statistics, 63 percent of the homeless in Utah is homeless only temporarily, such shelters can provide they are extremely valuable service.
“People can find work, and sooner or later they can return to their homes, “Pickering says.” But until then, it will help them. ”
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