Safe T Home constructed here for public to view, support

(Above) See what a Safe T Home looks like at The Dock, 500 Main Ave., Clear Lake.-Repoter photo.

by Michelle Watson

People have often heard the phrase, “a match made in heaven,” but when Sukup Manufacturing Company, the world’s largest family-owned and operated grain storage, drying and handling equipment manufacturer, teamed with GoServ Global, an organization that supplies support for those facing disasters, the outcome has definitely been a God thing.  The result of the joined forces are Safe T Homes being distributed throughout the world to those facing poverty and natural disasters.

On Friday, Nov. 11, Sukup Manufacturing constructed one of its Safe T Homes for the public to view in person at Zion Lutheran Church’s new facility, The Dock, located at 500 Main Ave., Clear Lake.  Representatives from GoServe Global were also on hand to answer questions.

“What these two organizations have done for those in need is truly inspiring,” said Megan Watson, mission director at Zion Lutheran Church.  “I’m glad we could lend them a spot to set up a home so that people could see and hear what Safe T Homes are all about and how they are helping people all over the world.”

Following the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti in January 2010, Brett Nelson, safety director at Sukup Manufacturing, got the idea to develop homes from the grain bins that Sukup Manufacturing produces.  Nelson had seen that people were converting grain bins into homes and he had the idea to revamp the bins and create homes for devastated and impoverished areas of the world.  He passed the idea on to Brad Poppen, an engineer/draftsman at Sukup Manufacturing, and he came up with the design for Safe T Homes.

The first Safety T Home prototype was completed in the spring of 2011.  The homes have a double tiered roof system that acts as a heat shield.  There is also a cupola on the top that is designed for ventilation.  Windows and doors provide cross ventilation so the homes do not get too hot in arid regions.  Loft areas can also be added to the homes to provide more space and extra sleeping areas.  The homes are cemented down and ballast boxes on the sides are filled with rocks and dirt to help anchor the homes to the ground.  The ballast boxes also serve as planters and can be used to grow garden vegeta-

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bles.  The homes are designed to be easy to build and easy to ship.

     “Being able to ship them easily is very important,” said Andy Schmitt, purchasing manager at Sukup Manufacturing.  “It is important that they be expedited quickly after a disaster to get them to the people that need them.  We can fit 10 homes in a shipping container.”

     The excellent engineering and construction of the homes was evident following Hurricane Matthew.  Haiti, which was one of the hardest hit areas, has over 200 Safe T Homes in use.  All of the homes withstood the high winds and rain, while only 10 percent of traditional housing in Haiti survived.

     “We heard that some of the homes were providing refuge for up to 60 people during the hurricane,” said Emily Schmitt, corporate council for Sukup Manufacturing. “Knowing that we are making a specific impact around the world and to know that our homes are actually saving lives is very powerful.”

     GoServ Global serves as the authorized dealers of the Safe T Homes.  They decide where the homes are located and they line up shipping and purchasing details. So far, more than 250 homes are located in Africa, Haiti, Peru, and one on the Ivory Coast.  The structures are used for everything from homes to classrooms.

     “One hundred percent of funds donated for hurricane relief goes to hurricane relief,” said Paul Van Gorkom, executive director for GoServ Global, located in Eagle Grove, Iowa.  “Right now, Haiti wants 50 more homes.”

     With the publicity that the Safe T Homes received following Hurricane Matthew, GoServ Global was able to raise funds to provide 10 Safe T Homes to be delivered to the areas affected.  Sukup Manufacturing has since matched that number one-for-one and added another 10 homes for a total of 20.  GoServe Global has ordered another 10 Safe T Homes, making the total 30 new homes for the victims of Haiti.

According to Van Gorkom, a church of 30 parishioners in Minnesota raised $33,000 to purchase land, supplies and eight Safe T Homes to be shipped to Haiti to begin a birthing center.

     “We are just thrilled with our partnership with Sukup Manufacturing and how God is working with us to provide help for these devastated areas,” said Van Gorkom.

The Safe T Home located at The Dock  will be available for touring prior to “The Bridging the Summit” event at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17.  The event is hosted by Zion Lutheran Church. Ken DeYoung, co-founder of GoServe Global and a Sukup Manufacturing representative will be discussing the construction of the Safe T Home in hurricane relief efforts during The Bridging the Summit” event.

“The options are endless of where we can go with the homes and what they can be used for,” said Andy Schmitt.

To learn more about the Safe T Homes and how you can help or contribute to the relief efforts in Haiti, visit www.goservglobal.com.

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