Piloting training in ISSB block production and basic construction techniques

Location: GET Tanzania office, Plot 45, Njiro, Arusha, Tanzania
Clients: GET Tanzania, Sinyati Ltd, Lugala Lutheran Hospital, Kisima Ngeda Tented Lodge
Main donors: GET Tanzania, Sinyati Ltd, SolidarMED, Switzerland, Eyasi Foundation Trust Ltd, and the Makiga Engineering Co. Ltd – through donation of a wide format DI ISSB block press
Dates: 17th May 2010 – 12 June 2010

Nature of work:

Training of prospective block makers in soil selection and testing, ISSB block production and construction using Straight DI narrow ISSB blocks and CI curved DI ISSB blocks

Current Status:

All students are now actively using the block presses for production around Tanzania

Results / Outcomes:

Training for 5 clients – Lugala Hospital, Lake Eyasi Foundation Trust, 2 from Sinyati Ltd and other 2 pax supported by GET Tanzania; 9 persons in total were trained in block production, with 5 then following a further 2 weeks of construction training.

The students built an 8000 litre underground sump tank to collect furrow water for construction and market gardening AND also demonstrated ISSB use as wall fill for office fitting window and door.

Of our trained clients:

1. Eyasi Foundation Trust : procured 1pc - 140 mm Straight DI press
2. Sinyati Ltd : procured 2 x 140 mm Str. DI presses
3. Lugala Lutheran Mission Hospital: procured 1 x 140 mm Str. DI press
4. Lugala Hospital procured through Doshi Hardware, stockist in Dar es Salaam, whilst the other 3 presses were procured from Makiga Engineering directly, through GET TZA (as agent) in Arusha.
5. GET Tanzania received 2nd donation from Makiga – wide format 220 mm DI Straight press (value L 800), having received a CI press in November for helping with EAC demo in Arusha to promote the technology.
6. Demo with Sinyati Ltd. at Karibu Tourism Fair, Arusha 4-6 June to promote technology to those in industry who look for appropriate CSR project in communities in the tourism areas of Northern TZA.

Other information:

• Training for 5 clients – 1 from Lugala Lutheran Hospital, 1 from Lake Eyasi Foundation Trust, 2 from Sinyati Ltd and our Paulo and Fred, who assisted in demos and coaching the trainees in block production; 
• 9 persons in total were trained in block production, 
• 5 of them then followed a 1 – 2 weeks of construction training.
• Built 8,000 litre underground sump tank to collect furrow water for construction and gardening AND wall filling for ‘office’, fitting a window and door...