THE Online Donation Group and Myanmar Marketing Association have started work on a project to build about 40 bamboo houses for homeless families in cyclone-affected areas, said a spokesperson for the Online Donation Group earlier this month.

Ko Aung Moe Thu, one of Online Donation Group’s founders, said that construction of 153-square-foot houses began at the end of June in the Ngapudaw Township village of Ingaday.

The low-cost houses, which are constructed mainly from bamboo and tarpaulin, have a price tag of about K100,000 each.

Ko Aung Moe Thu said the bamboo houses are practical because they are easy to transport and construct and can be altered according to the family and land size.

Local labourers are being used to construct the houses under the guidance of skilled supervisors, he said, adding that about 10 of the dwellings are nearing completion.

Ko Aung Moe Thu said that the aim of the non-profit, non-political program is to establish housing for families living outside of government or NGO project areas.

The Online Donation Group and Myanmar Marketing Association plan to build the low-cost houses in other areas where they are needed and, in the long-term, also construct permanent wooden dwellings.

Anyone interested in donating or helping with the program can call to 095 111 084 or email onlinedonation@gmail.com.