Education & Learning
Explore educational opportunities for children whose schooling has been disrupted, including the possibility of a future community learning centre.
Chocó, Colombia · Community-led rebuilding
LET’S RISE
TOGETHER.
From emergency to a lasting home. Help families rebuild with modular timber housing shaped by community needs.
One home · Four modulesDesigned for 5–6 peopleDesigned with community input
01 / The mission
REBUILDING
MORE THAN HOUSES.
After the August 10, 2026 earthquake in Colombia, LET’S RISE began exploring a practical, dignified approach to rebuilding in Chocó.
The project started with a standalone housing module. Conversations with local communities led to a more lasting goal: complete homes made from four modules, designed around what families say they need.
See the journey ↗
02 / Our long-term ambition
50 COMPLETE HOMES.
Our proposed campaign goal is to fund the equivalent of 200 housing modules, assembled into 50 complete four-module homes. Our immediate priority is to fund the first home, beginning with construction and testing of its prototype.
Estimated full campaign budget
USD 1–1.2 MILLIONApprox. COP 4–4.5 billionEarly contributions toward the first home
~USD 5,000Approx. COP 20 millionApprox. 0.5% of the proposed campaign targetTarget: USD 1M+
USD amounts are approximate and depend on exchange rates. Campaign budgets and contributions are indicative and may change as the project evolves. Estimated construction costs do not include furniture, appliances, or other household furnishings and equipment, which may be funded separately at a later stage.
Help fund the first home ↗03 / The home
BUILT FOR
EVERYDAY LIFE.
A complete modular timber home with two bedrooms, living area, kitchen, bathroom and terraces—designed for 5–6 people and adapted to the climate of Chocó.
8.40 × 5.82 mApproximate footprint
4Modules per home
2Bedrooms
5–6People
Illustrative floor plan. Furniture, appliances and interior furnishings are shown for visualization purposes only and are not included in the estimated construction budget.
04 / Community-led construction
BUILT BY THE COMMUNITY,
FOR THE COMMUNITY.
LET’S RISE homes are designed to be more than a finished product. Using a prefabricated, flat-pack timber construction system, precut, drilled and numbered components can be transported to the site and assembled with a step-by-step instruction manual and technical guidance.
By participating in the construction of their own homes, families can develop practical skills, strengthen community connections and take an active role in rebuilding their future.
These videos demonstrate the construction process using an earlier module design. The flat-pack, guided-assembly concept remains relevant to the updated housing model shown on this page.
More than building a home. Building skills, ownership and opportunity.
04 / Understanding the construction estimate
ONE HOME.
FOUR MODULES.
As the design evolved from individual housing modules to complete family homes, the estimated construction budget evolved too.
Complete four-module home
USD 20–24KApprox. COP 80–90 million
Estimated construction budget per complete home.Equivalent cost per module
USD 5–6KApprox. COP 20–22.5 million
One-quarter of the complete-home estimate; not a standalone finished home.USD amounts are approximate and depend on exchange rates. Construction estimates may change as the project evolves. The per-module figure is a cost equivalent, not the price of a standalone finished home. Estimated construction costs do not include furniture, appliances, or other household furnishings and equipment, which may be funded separately at a later stage.
05 / Project timeline
FROM AN IDEA
TO ACTION.
The design has developed through successive iterations and feedback from communities in Chocó.
Current stage · November 2026
Final design prepared for prototype production.We are fundraising to build the first home, starting with its physical prototype.
August 10, 2026
The earthquake
The event that sparked the initiative.
Week of August 17, 2026
The team starts brainstorming
Exploring community-led solutions for safe, practical housing.
September 2026
First modular concept
An initial standalone-module design takes shape.
September–October 2026
Design revisions
The initial concept goes through iterations as its scope and layout develop.
Before November 10, 2026
Community feedback
Conversations with local families help shift the focus from temporary standalone modules toward complete, lasting homes.
November 10, 2026 · Current
Updated four-module home design
The latest design is prepared for the prototype production stage.
Next · Funding milestone
Help fund the first home
Raise the resources to build the first home as a physical prototype for testing and community feedback.
Next · Validation
Build and test the prototype
Assess assembly, durability, comfort and technical performance.
Next · Transparency and reporting
Document construction and share updates
Publish progress photographs, construction milestones and available information about how prototype funds are used on this website, followed by testing results and lessons learned.
Next · Co-design
Gather community feedback
Refine the design and implementation based on lived experience.
Next · Scaling & equipping homes
Expanding Our Impact
Fund and Construct Additional Homes
Raise further funding, produce modules and assemble complete homes with local participation.
Fund Furniture and Household Equipment
Support beds, mattresses, refrigerators, appliances and other essentials to help families settle into their new homes.
These initiatives may progress simultaneously or at different stages, depending on available funding and community needs.
Beyond housing · Future possibilities
WHAT HAPPENS
AFTER THE BUILD?
A safe home is just the beginning. Beyond rebuilding houses, LET’S RISE hopes to explore opportunities that help families rebuild their lives, strengthen their communities and create more sustainable futures.
Skills & Entrepreneurship
Explore practical training, vocational skills and entrepreneurship initiatives that could help families generate income and build long-term independence.
HELP SHAPE WHAT COMES NEXT.
Have an idea that could make a difference? We welcome proposals, expertise and partnerships that could help bring these possibilities to life.
Propose an initiative ↗These are future possibilities to explore with local communities and partners, not confirmed or funded projects.
07 / Who is behind LET’S RISE?
PEOPLE WORKING
WITH PEOPLE.
An interdisciplinary team brings together community relationships, design, creative production and partnerships.
Lina Agudelo
Community work and holistic awareness
Carolina Alzate
Innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship
Sara Jaramillo
Donations and institutional partnerships
Liseth Martinez
Community leader · CODECHOCÓ ally · Viche Canao
Ahynsen Arboleda
Community liaison in Chocó
Esteban Gómez
Furniture designer · Taller La Obra
Camilo Monsalve
Creative and film director · Cinematography
Philippe Ledger
Film production design
Arnold Rincón
Director · CODECHOCÓ
Contributing friends
Daniel Piedrahita
Contributing friend
Valeria Torres
Contributing friend
08 / Transparency & project updates
YOUR CONTRIBUTION.
OUR COMMITMENT.
See how your support helps turn a completed design into a real, tested home.
Once the first home is funded, we plan to document its prototype construction and share updates on this website, including photographs, key milestones, testing results and information about how donated funds are used.
Supporters will be able to return here to follow the project's progress, understand what has been achieved and see what comes next.
Explore the project timeline ↗What we plan to share
01
Fundraising milestones
Progress toward funding the first home and its initial prototype build.
02
Construction documentation
Photographs and updates as the prototype takes shape.
03
Use of funds
Available expenditure information and a breakdown of prototype costs.
04
Testing and community feedback
Lessons learned and improvements before wider production.
The first home has not yet been built. Updates and reporting will be published as milestones are reached and information becomes available.
09 / Questions and answers
GOOD TO KNOW.
What is the goal of LET’S RISE?
The proposed long-term fundraising target is the equivalent of 200 modules, or 50 complete four-module homes. The first priority is funding the first home and validating its physical prototype.
Why has the design changed?
The project began with an individual housing module. Feedback from communities in Chocó informed the move toward complete homes designed for long-term use.
Has the first prototype been built?
Not yet. The latest design is ready for prototype production. We are raising funds to build the first home and test it before scaling up.
What does a complete home cost?
Current preliminary estimates are COP 80–90 million for a complete four-module home. The equivalent per module is COP 20–22.5 million. USD equivalents depend on exchange rates.
Does the cost include furniture and appliances?
The precise construction inclusions are being finalized. Furniture, beds, mattresses, refrigerators and other household equipment are planned as a later fundraising phase.
Who is behind the initiative?
LET’S RISE is developed by an interdisciplinary group of community leaders, designers, creative professionals and partners. The team and contributing friends are listed above.
How do I know where my donation is going?
We plan to share fundraising milestones, construction photographs, progress reports and available information about how funds are spent on this website. Once the first home is funded, supporters will be able to follow the prototype build, testing and community feedback. Reporting will be published as milestones are reached.
Can I contribute in other ways besides donating?
Absolutely. We welcome practical proposals, expertise, partnerships and ideas for future education, skills training, entrepreneurship and community-led initiatives. Write to opentoserve@gmail.com. Future initiatives will be explored with local communities and are not yet confirmed or funded.
How will donations be processed?
Donations are accepted through the Caring for Colombia fundraising page hosted by Give Lively. Any potential tax deductibility depends on the donor’s circumstances and the receiving organization’s requirements.
Is the community image an actual construction site?
No. It illustrates one possible way the proposed homes could integrate into an existing community. A final project site and layout have not been established.
Be part of the next chapter
HELP BUILD
THE FIRST HOME.
Every contribution helps move the first home from a completed design toward construction and testing.
Donate securely ↗Donations via Caring for Colombia / Give Lively