About 100 volunteers with the non-governmental organization Un Techo para mi País (A Roof for my Country) built 15 temporary homes this past weekend for families left homeless after the Jan. 8 earthquake.

The 18-square-meter wooden structures were constructed on a soccer field in Poasito, a town near the 6.2 magnitude quake's epicenter. Founded in Chile, Un Techo has previously raised 230 such structures in Costa Rica and some 40,000 more across Latin America, the NGO said in a press release.

Private sector companies and the government are helping cover the cost of the emergency homes, each costing $1,600. After the first 15, the NGO plans to build another 180.

“It's crucial we speed up the prefabrication of emer gency homes, if we really want to create a coherent response to the magnitude of the emergency, ” said Patricio Morera, Un Techo's head of social programs.

Anyone interested in volunteering can call 2234-6471 or visit www.untechoparamipais.org.