– Can be built in as fast as 3-4 days.
– Is designed based on modular blocks of 110 sqft.
– Is designed based on size of family and land.
– Is designed to suit the needs of the Orang Asli community.
– Is easy to understand & fun to build.
But how does it work?
EPIC Homes began in 2010 as a small one-off toilet building and house painting project at an Orang Asli village. After viewing a man’s home on the verge of collapse, the team back then (John-Son Oei, Loh Jon Ming, Jayne Kennedy, Jasmine Ng) learnt that he had been living in such unsafe housing conditions for over two years.
Building a home seemed like a simple solution, but they also knew that they wanted the community to be part of the process in creating long-term sustainability, and they wanted to build relationships with this community to understand their challenges on a deeper level. Inspired by Lego and Ikea furniture, the team looked for help from others so the community could build together.
Prima Avenue became the first sponsor to volunteer their services, and provide the necessary architects, engineers and contractors. In October 2010, this idea became a reality when the first home was built for ‘Pak Cihong’.
We believe that the presence of relationship is what truly differentiates a ‘Home’ from a ‘House’.
When an EPIC Home is built, a family does not just get a new house, but they also become connected to a larger community who genuinely cares for them; a community that seeks to understand their challenges, and who seeks to solve it together with them.
12,000 families are currently living in unsafe housing conditions. Over 77% are classified as poor. We mobilise volunteers to homes with families in need.
So that… we can build relationships between families and builders,
So that… we can develop a support system that can address key areas of intervention
So that… we can facilitate the power of choice, restore dignity and self-belief.
So that ultimately… they believe in their own talent and capacity to make a difference within their own lives, and the lives of others – they become an epic person.
EPIC Homes identify families through Pathfinders – where we actively map and engage villages with the help of a liaison, such as an NGO or a Tok Batin (Village Chief). They are then based on a criteria list for eligibilty to form a priority list.
Once a family is verified for eligibility of a home. We create mission briefs and begin moving into discussing with potential corporates and funding the build!
The next step is to raise funds for the build through donations or fundraising campaigns through our impact platform, Sedunia!
Once a build has been confirmed, our team will begin coordinating in areas such as logistics, materials, accommodation, food & beverages and other administrative works.
While the coordination of the build is ongoing – the next step is to mobilise and prepare volunteers, both experienced and new, to build a home together with the Orang Asli.
We then conduct a 3-day build filled with fun, hardwork and an unforgettable experience to foster a genuine relationship with the Orang Asli community.
A modular design system allows for the flexibility and efficiency to cater different family sizes.
The house is made up of various components which are interchangeable for flexibility and allows for future modifications and improvements.
Designed to be durable and adaptable to different site conditions and climates.
All components are designed to be lightweight and portable to allow for transporting, particularly to remote areas.
Designed to be built within a certain time-frame as it is built by everyday people. Our houses currently can be built within 3 days.
Can be easily constructed by ordinary people with minimal training and guidance from a build manual and using basic power & hand tools.
We empower and mobilise everyday ordinary people to come together for a common goal, to build an EPIC Home for a villager or family in need.
An EPIC Home can be built as fast as three (3) days depending on the build configuration:
Public Build – sponsored home built by the public to experience the amazing EPIC Homes build experience.
Team Building – sponsor a home and build the home as a team building activity for 3 days!
Orang Asli Build – sponsored home will be built by a trained Orang Asli team to provide job opportunities and upskilling.
The Asli House is designed to cater for different family size according to “adequate shelter” guidelines by the UN and do not believe in a one-size-fits-all model. The design is to suit the lifestyles of Orang Asli families and their environment incorporating some of the traditional elements in it whilst being simple & quick to be build to ease the burden of the families to take time off from work to build their home.
Sponsor a home and unlock the opportunity for the public to experience the amazing EPIC Homes Build experience!
Build a home for a family while utilising this meaningful experience as a teambuilding activity together with your team!
Enable the local community/OA team to build the homes of their fellow neighbours while gaining new skills & additional income
The Asli House is designed to cater for different family size according to “adequate shelter” guidelines by the UN and do not believe in a one-size-fits-all model. The design is to suit the lifestyles of Orang Asli families and their environment incorporating some of the traditional elements in it whilst being simple & quick to be build to ease the burden of the families to take time off from work to build their home.
For any family that receives an EPIC Home, they will have to participate in the Pay-It-Forward (PIF) programme, an initiative that aims to equip and empower the local community.
The Pay-It-Forward programme requires the recipient of an EPIC Home to build not just his or her home, but also homes for the other community members.
We hope to encourage and improve the relationships amongst the neighbouring community while it also allows for potential acquisition of new skills and connection through building with and meeting folks of the urban sector.
On top of that, we realise that this also helps the home-owners to make more pride and ownership in their achievement and that translates to a better idea of the construction of their home. This helps the family to better troubleshoot or modify their EPIC Homes if needed!
Homes
Villages
Volunteers
Since we built our first ever home in 2011, we’ve gone ahead and build a total of 200+ EPIC Homes across Peninsular Malaysia and we’ve yet to touch East Malaysia.
Selangor: 163
Perak: 20
Johor: 1
Kelantan: 28
If you’ve been working with or know someone working closely with a village or a community that could use our help. Connect them to us!
