Good Earth Trust

GET TZA - with BBG Arusha Chapter meeting HRH Prince of Wales, Prince Charles

2011-11-11T12:17:00.000Z

Dear All

Please see:
http://in2eastafrica.net/hrh-prince-charles-marked-exciting-developments-in-business-between-united-kingdom-and-tanzania/
with regard to the visit of HRH Prince of Wales, Prince Charles to Arusha - meeting with the British Business Group (BBG), where Good Earth Trust Tanzania was also present as a Member of the Arusha Chapter:

Source Tanzania Daily News
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Best regards
Martin

GGPS Water and Sanitation Project (Central Uganda)

2010-09-15T10:54:00.001+01:00

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

2010-09-15T10:50:00.000+01:00

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)

2010-09-15T10:46:00.000+01:00

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)

2010-09-15T10:38:00.000+01:00

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)

2010-09-15T10:28:00.000+01:00

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)

2010-09-15T10:21:00.000+01:00

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)

2010-09-15T10:13:00.001+01:00

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

2010-09-15T10:08:00.001+01:00

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

2010-09-15T09:57:00.000+01:00

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:

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
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
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

2010-09-15T09:51:00.000+01:00

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

2010-09-15T09:47:00.000+01:00

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:

Eyasi Foundation Trust : procured 1pc - 140 mm Straight DI press
Sinyati Ltd : procured 2 x 140 mm Str. DI presses
Lugala Lutheran Mission Hospital: procured 1 x 140 mm Str. DI press
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.
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.
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

2010-09-15T09:37:00.000+01:00

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

2010-09-15T09:33:00.000+01:00

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

2010-09-15T09:26:00.000+01:00

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

2010-09-15T09:22:00.000+01:00

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.

Latrines are nearing completion

2010-03-19T07:08:00.004Z

Over the past two months, Good Earth Trust has been working hard to complete our latrine project. At both sites, the latrine structures have been completed and now we are focusing on finishes. This means applying plaster, installing the doors, completing the floors, and tiling the latrine stanzas. We are planning to have the finishing done within 2 weeks, our building staff has done a great job making sure that we remain on schedule. After that, we will construct the adjoining rain water harvesting water tanks, which will provide water for cleaning the latrines and for hand washing.

We are just beginning to finalise management roles with NACODO, having meetings with the community group to ensure that all management responsibilities are taken care of. NACODO will be responsible for running the daily operations of the latrines, keeping them clean, managing the income coming in from the latrines, deciding where any excess money gets to be spent, and raising awareness in the community about sanitation issues. We are confident in NACODO succeeding in these tasks, but it is important that we get these systems in place now, before the latrines are complete!

Below are some pictures of the near complete latrines:

Site A: finishing being put on the walls

Site B awaiting finishes

3 Weeks into Sanitation Project and we are well underway!

2010-01-26T14:10:00.003Z

It has been three weeks since we began construction in Namawongo slum working alongside Nacodo, and we have made some great progress. The project is building latrines at 2 different sites. Site A is now finishing completion of the substructure and will begin building the superstrucutre in a weeks time, after the slab is complete.

Site A substructure being built

As we are working in the middle of the slum we are always surrounded by people interested in whats going on and children who are fascinated by the activity. Below is a picture of the area right below our construction site and some neighborhood kids who are often hanging around.

Last week, we began making blocks at our second site in the slum, Site B in Kasanvu Zone. The blockmakers have come over to Site B a week early to start making blocks and the masons will Shift to site B this week.

Blockmaking at site B

in this photo (Moses (blockmaker), Myself (GET Rep), Angela (water collector), Patrick (Blockmaker), Ben (Chairman of NACODO)

Myself and Angela, one of our workers, and kids in the area

Good Earth Trust and Water and Stone Centre complete latirnes and watertank at GGPS Primary School

2010-01-26T13:38:00.002Z

God Is Good Primary School in Nansana, Uganda has two important additions to their school to look forward to in 2010. Funded by the Water and Stone Centre (USA) and with technical support from the Good Earth Trust, GGPS received a latrine block and a 10,000L water tank at the school.

Good Earth Trust trained local labourers in blockmaking and masonry skills. The project took a little over 3 months to complete, just in time for the new semester to start!

It has been a pleasure working with the Water and Stone Centre and with all the great people at GGPS. A machine press was donated to GGPS, so we look forward to our continued work with them in the future!

Latrine near competion

Building Latrine

School Children in front of construction

Good Earth Uganda begins NACODO Sanitation Project

2010-01-08T08:12:00.003Z

After months of waiting for the rains to pass, we have finally broken ground and began the start of our sanitation project! The project will work with NACODO, a local CBO, to construct toilets and watertanks in Namawongo Slum in Kampala. We have started digging the pits, began blockmaking training and purchesed materials. Everyone is very excited that the project is beginning which has resulted in a great momentum from those involved! We expect to start construction next Monday, January 11th, and will continue working for the next 2-3 months on the project. Stay tuned for further updates!

Training taking place with NACODO members

Soft Power Celebrates 10 Years!

2009-11-09T15:40:00.004Z

This past weekend, I attended anniversary celebrations for Soft Power Education. Soft Power Education (SPE) is a British registered charity and Ugandan NGO working with communities in Uganda to improve quality of life through education. With the help of the Haileybury Youth Trust and GET, SPE integrated ISSB into their school renovation and construction programmes. So far, SPE has purchased 7 machines and has built several schools with the technology. As supporters of the technology, SPE has also recommended it to other NGOs and Agencies. Congrats to 10 years of service SPE and to your support of the technology!!

Children in front of the 10,000L water tank at the SPE Center. The tank was built with donations from Good Earth Trust, Haileybury Youth Trust, and SPE

To learn more about SPE and their use of ISSB, please follow the link:
http://www.softpowereducation.com/AboutUs/News/ISSBBrickMakingMachines/tabid/251/Default.aspx

Greetings from Uganda!

2009-11-04T08:15:00.010Z

The Good Earth Team in Uganda has been busy over the past few months conducting trainings, participating in the Uganda National Shelter Profile, and planning a project in a slum in Kampala that will build latrines.

Good Earth Technical Trainings:

In September and October, Good Earth conducted 4 trainings with various organisations. The first training was with the Rural Agency for Sustainable Development (RASD) and the student chapter of Engineers without Borders at the University of California, Davis. The training took place in Nkokonjeru, a town about an hour outside of Kampala. Good Earth trained RASD and student volunteers in water tank construction. A machine was left with RASD to continue building tanks in their community projects.

The second training was held in Koutulai, Mbale, eastern Uganda with the West Midlands, UK Chapter of Engineers for Overseas Development (EFOD). We conducted training in blockmaking and masonry skills for the construction of a grinding mill for an agricultural widow's cooperative. The mill will help bring value addition to the widow's agricultural raw cereals.

Our third training took place with Promoting Equality in African Schools (PEAS) at the Onwards and Upwards Secondary School in Buloba, a village situated outside of Kampala. We trained in blockmaking and masonry skills. Currently, PEAS is constructing classroom blocks for the school.

Training at PEAS

The last training was with the Agoro International Vocational Institute (AIVI) in Agoro, Kitgum. Agoro is a town in Northern Uganda, on the Sudan Border. It was severely affected by the 20 year war between the LRA and the Ugandan government. Good Earth conducted water tank trainings with AIVI trainees. The goal is for the trainees to set up income generation the skills acquired from the trainings at the Institute.

Uganda National Shelter Profile

2009-11-03T13:04:00.003Z

In October, Good Earth Programme Engineer, Dan Andabati, participated in a workshop that is looking at Uganda's National Shelter Profile. The workshop brought together stakeholders interested in the housing sector in Uganda. Themes surrounded housing demand, supply and finance; urban land supply; building materials; infrastructure; and institutional framework. The culmination of the workshop and the research will be a report from UN-HABITAT highlighting the current shelter situation in Uganda and the challenges it faces. Good Earth was invited to participate in relation to the construction and materials component; we wanted to ensure that mention of ISSB and its benefits was included in the National Profile.

Improving Sanitation and Capacity in a Kampala Slum

2009-11-03T12:21:00.003Z

In addition to our ongoing activities of training and advocacy, Good Earth is about to start a latrine construction project in a Namawongo, a Kampala slum area. We will be working together with a local Community Based Organisation called Namawongo Community Development Organisation (NACODO). Namawongo is situated on the edge of a wetland and the main water channel that carries all of Kampala’s run-off water ( and its garbage, waste, etc.) to Lake Victoria. This means that the conditions for those that live in the area are pretty miserable; imagine the amount of water and garbage that pours through the slum when it rains! On top of that, the total lack of sanitation facilities means that disposal of human waste is a significant challenge to the residents of the slum. Many people are forced to use plastic bags, which end up in drainage channels right next to where people sleep and eat and where children play. It is easy to get a sense from this of the high levels of water-borne diseases that easily overtake areas of the slum. Currently, as we are in the rainy season, the slum has seen an outbreak of cholera due to the poor sanitation conditions there.

Waste, drainage, living areas all mix together in Namawongo

This project will not bring a solution to the sanitation problems existing in the slum, but it is a start, as it will increase the number of toilets in the area. Aside from the physical infrastructure, the project will train NACODO members in ISSB construction and leave them with an ISSB press to continue work in the future. It will also provide them with income generation through the management of the toilets.

The project will utilise two innovative approaches to help raise money for NACODO. First, the toilet design will separate the solids from the urine as a jerry can (20 litres) of urine can be sold here as fertiliser to farmers. GET is working with the Ministry of Environment to link NACODO up to farmers who are interested in purchasing urine. This will be a continuous income generation scheme for NACODO.

Secondly, in slum areas, most (if not all) toilets work on a pay-as-you-go basis, this means that when one wants to use the toilet they pay 100 UGX per use. This is necessary to maintain the toilets, pay someone to manage them and clean them, and empty them when they are full. The toilets we build will also need money to cover the management of the toilet, which selling the urine will contribute to. However, aside from paying-to-go not being equitable, it usually means that only adults get to use the toilets as children can more easily find a discreet (or not so discreet as is often the case!) place to go. After doing some research into these issues and consulting with the community, NACODO developed a system where families or households could buy a monthly pass to the latrine, and in turn, all members of that household could use the toilets. This will provide an affordable alternative for families, allowing all the member s to have access to sanitation facilities. We are not aware of this approach being used anywhere else in Uganda, so we are excited to pilot a new approach to urban slum sanitation. Moreover, this idea has been generated by the community, so we are eager to see it succeed!

We are in the final stages of preparing for the project and hope to start near the end of the month. Unfortunately, as we are in rainy season we have had to wait to begin the project. But as soon as the rains calm down, we will be ready to start building!

Kids in Namawongo wetland area, at the edge of the slum

Good Earth Trust gets Housing Technology support

2009-10-29T15:33:00.003Z

Housing Technology editor Alastair Tweedie has joined the board of the Good Earth Trust with the view of helping the charity improve its commercial strategy and support some of its marketing, PR and fund-raising activities.

The work that the Good Earth Trust is doing in Kenya and Uganda is a good counterpoint to the technology of focus of this magazine, as the Good Earth Trust is using local technology, in the form of ISSBs (interlocking stabilised soil blocks) and block-making machines, to help people and communities build low-cost and environmentally friendly houses, latrines, schools and other vital buildings.

Based on expanding the use of its block-making machines, the Good Earth Trust provides people in Kenya and Uganda with an alternative to relatively-expensive wood-fired bricks at the same time as making the construction process easier, faster and more accurate due to the interlocking nature of the blocks.

GET’s work is important for three reasons. First, the ISSBs make home ownership a realistic proposition for thousands of people in Kenya and Uganda. Second, the ISSBs are being used to build schools, health centres, latrines and water tanks, all of which are vital to the local infrastructure and help whole communities develop better services.

Finally, the eco-credentials of the ISSBs mean fewer trees need to be cut down (their wood is needed to fire traditional bricks), reducing the environmental impact of new buildings.

To find out more about the Good Earth Trust, please visit www.goodearthtrust.org.uk

Welcome Max Armbrust

2009-10-19T11:56:00.002+01:00

We are delighted to let you know that with effect from 1 October, Max Armbrust has joined our team here in London, with a specific remit to take forward our work on the carbon finance initiative, working on technical research, accreditation documentation and business planning. Max will be liaising closely with Carbon Aided on this.

Some of you have already met Max when he did some work with us as one of the 4 interns from the Kings College Masters course (since successfully completed). He also visited Uganda with Gordon and myself in July where he gained first hand insights to our work. His Masters thesis was related to the general subject of carbon credits (Non-Renewable Biomass work in Africa). His first degree was in Commerce/Economics at Stellenbosch. He has travelled, studied and worked in Africa (many years work on family farm in Namibia), and worked on a variety of business development and environmental projects in Germany and the UK, and had the joy of military service in Germany.

Welcome on board, Max!