Tanzania Update

Mazengo development, Duluti, Arusha – using ISSBs the Trust has completed the construction of staff housing including underground water tanks (8,000 litres from water furrow for farm irrigation and 5,000 litres for pumped water supply) together with a 14,000 litre domestic rainwater harvesting tank and a VIP latrine/washroom. All three Makiga ISSB Block formats were used – Wide Interlock (WI-220mm), Double Interlock (DI-140mm) – both straight blocks and the Curved Interlock (CI-140mm) for tanks and Spiral structure of the VIP latrine/washroom.

The key to this development has been its use as a training site for both experienced masons to get to know the technology and to expand the pool of competent Block makers available to our local Trust here.

Staff house with store from WI Blocks & the 14,000 litre domestic rain water harvesting (DRWH) tank

The VIP latrine/washroom (in background) used both The underground 5,000 litre tank for pumped supply

the DI blocks (for vent pipe) and CI blocks for the

spiral superstructure

UPDATE: Completion of a 36 m2 Guest house, using WI blocks to create a circular structure, based on 3 circles shows the flexibility of the technology to respond to design demands and was quite exciting for the masons to complete!

Foundation layout for Guest house Pouring reinforced concrete lintel

Inner ‘puch’ and lime finish and pointing block walling, then installing trusses to Guest House

Roofing completed and painted....and.... ..........the view of Kilimanjaro is magnificent!

Front view of guest house Tongue and Groove (T&G) ceiling and wall fill

We are also planning to build a 2-storey house following the plan shown below; we will let you know how the building progresses in future updates.

Siwandeti , Arusha. Using local donations the local Trust has completed construction of a 30 m2 3 bed-roomed home for a grandmother and 3 HIV/Aids orphans’ together with a 12,000 litre domestic rainwater harvesting tank, VIP latrine/washroom and 5,000 litre underground tank with soil filter to supply farm irrigation. SAGE Publications, UK, has recently provided funds to add a veranda, solar lights for the children to support their studies, a ceramic water filter (with colloidal Silver) and a ceiling for their home. A Hip pump from the ‘Moneymaker’ range, produced by KickStart, will also support the grandmother’s farming and support overall sustainability.

The new construction replaced their old 8m2 ‘mud and wattle’ home (below in background) and provides a healthy and sustainable environment for them.

The foundations were made using ISSB blocks from that to this!

VIP latrine/washroom from DI-ISSB blocks Setting out the 3 roomed building – all soil was derived from their plot

The Building raises rapidly.... component doors and windows pre-fabricated by the Trust slot around the blocks

The trusses were prefabricated and bolted together on-site – left over blocks for a small kitchen

Soil-lime based plaster finish...... Grandmother excitedly moving in at last

The children (Fredi, Angel and Joshua) in their new home at last – though works continue

Improved stove!

The rain fell as the gutters were completed....

The domestic rain water harvesting tank has provided water for drinking and cooking for the last 6 months

Now the new veranda is completed and the grass is growing fast!

Kisima Ngeda Lodge in ‘Wahadzabe’ country, Lake Eyasi, Tanzania

This project had started in May 2010, with initial Block maker training and purchase of the Double Interlock (140mm wide) ISSB machine. After production they contacted us in November 2011 for on-site construction training (5d) and, the fabrication of door (2pc) and window (5pcs) components. The house is for the teachers’ of the hotel owners’ children - due to the remote location. The idea of their ‘Lake Eyasi Foundation’ is to, in future, train the ‘Wahadzabe’ tribe (a very small hunter gatherer group) in CEB technology to avoid destruction of the fragile forest in the area by using ISSB instead of burning bricks.

Views of the basic wall frame of Teachers’ house at Kisima Ngeda

Joshua Foundation, Njiro, Arusha, Tanzania: November 2011 – March 2012

Soil testing carried out to determine mix, procurement of a Makiga Double Interlock (140mm wide) ISSB machine, 7 days training in Block making (4 trainees ‘graduated’), production continued through to January 2012, foundations constructed and walls began rising in early March 2012 for the first Duplex Teachers’ housing. We also provided construction training on-site for the contractor team as well as manufactured door and window components.

The first ISSB during block training Trainees and Trainers

2 Trainers and 4 initial Trainees Proud of their production

Window components painted and ready for transportation to Joshua Foundation site

Duplex staff housing begin and quickly reach lintel level with doors and windows components inserted

Training. The Trust has provided blockmaking training for several people in the Arusha area who are interested in using ISSB technology for house building and the construction of rainwater harvesting tanks