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.

Latrines are nearing completion

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