Wednesday 15 September 2010

GGPS Water and Sanitation Project (Central Uganda)

Location: Kyebando, Wakiso, Uganda
Client: GGPS (God is Good Preparatory School)
Main Donors: Water & Stone Centre Inc. and Innovation Housing (USA)
Dates: January – May 2010
Report by: Dan Andabati

Nature of work: Innovative design and construction of a VIP latrine & two-10000L rainwater tanks at GGPS in Kyebando – Wakiso using ISSB technology. GET arranged for purchase of the press & provided block-making & masonry trainings for the volunteers involved. DA did drawings, costing, & provided project management & site supervision support.

Current status: Complete & in use.

Results / Outcomes: Improved hygiene and sanitation at the school.

Piloting of innovative latrine design, construction and operation in Urban Slum

Location: Namuwongo Slum, Kampala, Uganda
Client: NACODO (Namuwongo Community Development Association)
Main Donor: MBTF (Marcia Brady Tucker Foundation)
Dates: January – April 2010
Report by: Dan Andabati

Nature of work: Design and construction of two latrine blocks and water tanks using an innovative design (blend of eco-san and VIP latrines) and ISSB technology in a challenging environment (high water table) with full engagement by Good Earth with the local community.

Current status: Construction complete, latrines in use and ongoing monitoring conducted periodically.

Results / Outcomes: Successful pilot of the design and construction with innovative technology and highly participative approach. Latrines now in use with attendant health benefits. Income yet to be generated through sale of urine. Ongoing monitoring to determine long-term results.

The Amazing Youth Centre (Northern Uganda)

Location: Patongo, Pader, Uganda
Client: Jubilee Action (Uganda Chapter)?
Main Donors: Jubilee Action (UK)?
Dates: January – August 2010
Report by: Dan Andabati

Nature of work: This year, Jubilee Action has committed to building a new youth centre in the war-ravaged Patongo, which will bring education and counselling to the traumatized children who were abducted by the LRA insurgents. Article 25 and Henning Stummel Architects (UK) were contracted to design the rehabilitation centre using compressed earth, and GET (DA) has been offering local (Uganda) design support.

Current status: Ready for tendering (September/October 2010). The non-interlocking format CEB has been adopted for this project and a local developer to be contracted to construct the centre.

Results / Outcomes: Project yet to be implemented.

Further information:  Jubilee Action

NDHS Water and Sanitation Project (Central Uganda)

Location: Nyendo, Masaka, Uganda
Client: NDHS (Notre Dame High School)
Main Donors: Kisoboka Trust (UK); The Waterloo Foundation (UK)
Dates: June – August 2010
Report by: Dan Andabati (DA)

 
Nature of work: Following successful completion of ISSB rainwater harvesting system and latrine construction projects in 2008 & 2009 through GET (technology) support, Kisoboka Trust & the Waterloo Foundation have pledged to fund another (larger) rainwater harvesting system and girls’ washrooms in 2010. GET (DA) developed project proposal to construct the new facilities using ISSB.


Current status: Proposals have been submitted to the donors for evaluation. Due to funding limitations, a possible 2-phased implementation has been envisaged with Phase 1 to start any time soon (when funds are availed).


Results / Outcomes: Better hygiene and sanitation at the school, which is expected to improve with implementation of the new projects.

Primary Schools (Central Uganda)

Locations: (1) Nakaseeta, Mukono; (2) Gayaza, Mpigi; (3) Kyeyitabya, Kiboga – Uganda
Client: BT-U (Building Tomorrow - Uganda)
Main Donor: BT-U (fundraising & donations from USA & Canada)
Dates: January 2010 – Date

Nature of work: Construction of new primary schools (academies) in Uganda in areas with the greatest number of children with the least access to a primary school with full engagement of the local community; committees of residents and local leaders are established to oversee the construction process from start to finish. Each BT academy is equipped with seven classrooms (P1 through P7), an office, a library, meeting space, and latrines for 325 students. Their last 3 academies are under construction using ISSB technology with GET offering technical support (capacity building).

Current status: Block-making and construction in progress: Gayaza (50%), Kyeitabya (30%), and Nakaseeta (15%)

Results / Outcomes:  BT began on its own to use ISSB but results were not satisfactory until GET was involved. Now building designs, block-making & construction qualities have significantly improved and the client is happy with this achievement.

Further information: visit: http://www.buildingtomorrow.org/zeta/academies/

Boarding Secondary School in Padibe (Northern Uganda)

Location: Padibe West, Lamwo, Uganda
Client: PEAS (Promoting Equality in African Schools)
Main Donor: PEAS (fundraising & donations)
Dates: May 2010 – Date

Nature of work: Widening access to quality, secondary education in Uganda where enrolment is very low (< / = 20%). This project will involve the design and construction of a secondary school in a war-affected area with boarding and support facilities (water / sanitation) using ISSB technology with engagement of GET technical support and local community participation in construction.

Current status: Land acquisition complete, designs & cost schedules in advanced stages, construction starting very soon (September 2010) – to be fast tracked and proposed completion (Phase 1) by January 2011.

Results / Outcomes: Local authority and beneficiary community is very supportive and excited about the project that will immediately benefit them through improved incomes from the construction expenditure.

Further information:  visit: http://www.peas.org.uk/8.html

Proposed UFF Education Centre in Muduma (Central Uganda)

Location: Mawokota, Mpigi, Uganda
Client: UFF (United Future Foundation)
Main Donor: UFF (fundraising & donations from Australia)
Dates: April 2010 –
Report by: Dan Andabati


Nature of work: Breaking the cycle of poverty in Uganda through education by building and operating a combined primary school and vocational training centre in rural Uganda; the pilot (maiden) project in Mpigi is to be completed in 3 phases. Phase 1 (current) involves innovative design and construction of 240 m2 school block (consisting of 2 classrooms and infants’ play area), a VIP latrine (8 units), and a water tank using ISSB technology with engagement of GET technical support and local community participation in construction.

Current status: Land acquisition in progress, designs & cost schedules in advanced stages, construction starting very soon (September 2010) – to be fast tracked and proposed completion (Phase 1) by January 2011.

Results / Outcomes: Local authority and beneficiary community is very supportive and excited about the project that will immediately benefit them through improved incomes from the construction expenditure.

Other information:  visit: http://www.uff.org.au/p_educent.html

Staff housing for medical personnel at Lugala Lutheran Mission Hospital, Tanzania

Location: Lugala, Ulanga dDistrict, Morogoro Region, Tanzania

Client: Lugala Lutheran Mission Hospital,

Main Donor: SolidarMED
By promoting the development, improvement, and long-term security of primary health care, SolidarMed has a significant share in empowering even people in the poorest countries of Africa to exercise their right to health and in making health become operative as a developmental factor.

Dates: July 2010 – March 2011

Report by: Martin Taylor

Nature of work: This started with block production and construction training for the hospital technician. Good Earth Trust also assisted them procure an ISSB block press machine

Results / Outcomes:
  • Improved physical infrastructure at the hospital and 2 health outposts
  • Building of 4 single room apartments for qualified hospital personnel to attract quality personnel and reduce the acute problem of the same at Lugala Lutheran Mission Hospital
Other information: We got this contact through our partners at BCCT in London – thanks to Graham F.W. Smith, Manager – British Consultancy Charitable Trust.

ISSB production for eco-housing improvements in Kisima Ngeda

Location: Kisima Ngeda village, Lake Eyasi, Manyara District

Client: Eyasi Foundation Trust Ltd, http://eyasi-foundation.org/index.php
This was set up by ‘Kisima Ngeda Tented Lodge’, as a charity to support conservation of the local environment, to ensure survival of the local hunter gatherers, the waHadzabe tribe and the fragile eco-system.

The Eyasi Foundation has 3 particular projects:
  1. Bricks for house construction from eg locally available compressed pressed earth/soil material. Housing is traditionally built from thin wood poles with earth fill (wattle and daub). Given that the Lake Eyasi soil has limited clay content, the plaster of these buildings needs constant seasonal repairs. With a good ISSB press this problem can be reduced, with more permanent housing resulting. There is also a need to divert interest to start using burned bricks, which would deplete the fragile natural habitat in the area that supports the hunter-gatherer tribe of the waHadzabe
  2. Introduction of effective and simple improved cooking stoves to reduce wood and charcoal use for cooking (currently cooking on 3 stones where most of the heat/energy is lost. The construction of improved stoves will be supported 
  3. Conservation of the natural ecosystem and edible plants used by the Hadzabe tribe
Good Earth Trust is supporting with the first project – that of bricks for house construction

Main Donor: Kisima Ngeda Tented Lodge http://www.kisimangeda.com/

Kisima Ngeda Tented Camp is situated on the shores of Lake Eyasi, with sweeping views toward the Rift. Across this seasonal soda lake, the Alipi escarpment wall rises 2,000 feet up into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area providing a stunning backdrop. The camp is beautifully set in a Llala palm and acacia forest and is part of 200-acre family-owned farm with a natural spring nearby which feeds into the lake. It is also home to the Wahadzabe, an ancient, nomadic tribe of bushmen who are one of the last click-speaking hunter-gatherer tribes.

Dates: June –September 2010


Nature of work: Introducing an environmentally friendly building technique as part of the overall objective of conserving the natural ecosystem and working to re-afforest the area with indigenous local trees and forest. The Trust hopes to introduce ISSBs rapidly so as to avert new house building moving to burned brick technology, given the lack of poles for traditional housing. Thus it is hoped that ISSBs will replace burned bricks (BB) in Kisima Ngeda...

Current status: Training was completed in mid May, 5 days training Abdul Martin, tested out 30 mins at rate equivalent to 400 blocks / day, from a 3 person team. Test blocks from soil samples were completely intact after 24 hours in water

Blocks have been made for promotion and awareness raising in the surrounding local village

The Eyasi Foundation is now (September 2010) training other construction workers and BB makers in ISSB technology. Abdul will transfer his skills to others. Block production is then due to get going for an initial showcase house

Results / Outcomes: 1 ISSB machine purchased, 1 person trained, promotion and awareness campaign ongoing, training starting for local construction workers in Sept. The blocks are creating high interest in the local community and there is already interest being shown to expand the programme rapidly.

Other information:  The Eyasi Foundation Trust Ltd (www.eyasifoundationtrust.com ) is now raising funds to procure 6 more manual ISSB DI Block machines, so that there would be 1 in each neighbourhood (Kitongoji) in the village and the housing technology can be replaced with this more eco-sensitive technology

Low cost rural eco – friendly house construction for 3 orphans of the HIV/Aids pandemic

Location: Siwandeti, Ngateu, Kiranyi, Meru district, Arusha
Client: Grandmother Coco of the 3 orphans Angelica, Freddy and Joshua Gilbert, and Mzee Lucas – Great Uncle to the same orphan children
Main donor: Dr. Phillipe Gaillard, WHO specialist in HIV/Aids
Dates: Initial contact was made in November 2009. The project began at start July 2010, once funds were available, and it is ongoing to date

Nature of work:

Construction of eco-friendly, low cost rural dwelling (3 roomed house 10m x 3m), with ancillary facilities to support home sustainability: VIP latrine, underground Sump tank for irrigation (purpose is for income generation through market gardening) - for the 3 children and their grandmother Coco.

Excavation of site soil, taken from sump water tank pit, foundation furrows of 0.5m width and the VIP latrine 6m deep pit

Soil testing, dark soil from 2nd m down to 4th m: block mix 14: 5 sand: 1 cement (19: 1 - @ 5% cement stabilisation);

Soil testing, red soil from 4th m down to 6th m: block mix 15: 4 sand: 1 cement (19: 1 - @ 5% cement stabilisation);

Current Status:

VIP latrine completing, sump tank excavated, CI block production to build the sump tank started, foundations for the house excavated, DI ISSB production now at over 75% with 3000 blocks produced of the 4000 target.

Results / Outcomes:

4 local waArush (settled Maasai) have been trained in ISSB block production processes with varying soil profiles. Local labourers have sampled a new technology within their reach, given materials are all locally available. They have been particularly impressed with the block strength and visual outcome.

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...

Rural farm – introduction of appropriate water and sanitation infrastructure

Location: Farm 1205, Patandi village, Duluti, Tengeru, AruMeru District, Arusha, Tanzania
Client: Chilongola Mazengo
Main donor: Martin Taylor, GET UK
Dates: March-April; May-June and July-Aug 2010

Nature of work:

We have been using this farm plot as a demonstration and training area for ISSB technology and the application of this towards eco-friendly low-cost appropriate technology design. Used for the construction of rain water harvesting tank, underground sump tank for irrigation of market garden and installation of a VIP (Ventilated Improved Pit latrine in a challenging rural environment

Current Status:

Both tanks are now in use by the farmer. The sump tank is filled from a passing irrigation furrow and the stored water is used for irrigating a small home garden using a ‘Moneymaker’ treadle pump. The VIP latrine will be in use by mid September. Ongoing monitoring conducted on a regular basis to ensure the structural integrity of the tanks. No leaks detected to date.

Results / Outcomes:

Construction completed: April 2010 – a 15,000 litre above ground rainwater harvesting tank, built with Curved double interlock ISSB blocks

Construction completed: June 2010 – an 8,000 litre below ground sump tank, built with Curved double interlock (CI) ISSB blocks. A 2metre vertical access shaft built with Straight DI narrow blocks was included before the tank was buried back in the garden

Construction almost completed: July August 2010 – a spiral VIP latrine made with Curved double interlock (CI) ISSB blocks.

9 persons trained in various construction techniques on this plot between early May to mid June 2010

Block production training at Kimondolu, Arusha

Location: Kimondolu, Arusha
Client: Private
Main donor:Private
Dates:February – March 2010

Nature of work:

Production of 5000 ISSB narrow DI blocks for building a 5 roomed structure for rental property. We took on this job for the purposes of trialling different soil types in the Arusha area – overlain by volcanic loams. This was also an opportunity to train the first local ISSB block makers

Current Status:

This project is on hold whilst the Client raises sufficient funds to start the construction of his planned building

Results / Outcomes:

Blocks were produced as per specs. Training involving 6 youth on a rotating basis eventually led to 2 good block makers, who moved from using 1 bag of cement – 110-120 blocks per day, up to a production of 450 blocks per day from 4 bags of cement within 5 weeks from first introduction to the technology
 

BuildIt International - Albino Community and Health Centre, Ukerewe Island

Location: Ukerewe Island, Lake Victoria, Tanzania
Client: BuildIt International, UK: http://www.builditinternational.org/
Main donor: Harry Freeland – Photographer and film maker
Dates: Contact in January 2010 through GET, UK, with project projected to start from August 2010

Nature of work: Project Management on behalf of BuildIt International

Current Status: Awaiting procurement of land and fundraising by the donor

Results / Outcomes:None as yet
Expected to train local Albino group in ISSB block production and construction so they may not only build the amenities, but establish themselves as a clearly useful economic group in the local area, with their involvement with materials production to replace burned bricks for use in community infrastructure

Other information: For any update refer to Andrew Jowett: email andrew@builditinternational.org

Demonstrations of ISSB technology

Location: Aboud Jumbe Stadium, Arusha, Tanzania;
Client:Makiga Engineering, Nairobi, Kenya
Main donor:Makiga Engineering, Nairobi, Kenya
Date:November 2009

Nature of work:

Set up demonstration of ISSB block making, supply of soil, cement, water, used engine oil, and 2 building SSB technicians to make blocks and assist to explain to visitors from all 5 East African Countries visiting the show about the advantages of ISSBs over burned bricks in terms of cost savings, quality, aspiration values etc....

Current Status:

There was much interest and this resulted in a number of enquiries from individual clients and institutions

Results / Outcomes:

Good awareness raising and promotion over the 4 days. This resulted in Makiga Engineering offering agency to GET TZA as they were keen on the approach to training, awareness raising and promotion to ensure the technology will build demand in the market. They donated a CI – ISSB press for demonstration purposes in Tanzania

Other information:

Agency work started after GET, TZA was incorporated as Local Trust in May 2010 and 4 DI – ISSB presses have been supplied, after completion of training. Another ISSB press (DI – Wide format) was donated for demo purposes. We now have all 3 types of DI presses for demonstrations and training.