Latest development on the Afrikaya project in New Yundum, The Gambia: The 4 classrooms and the toilet block are almost complete. The roof will go on soon. The school is being built by Gambian Construction Engineer Masamba Ceesay using compressed earth blocks [CEB]. CEB construction is an earth-friendly building technology that is superior to concrete and wood construction in terms of its health benefits, affordability, durability, and energy efficiency. Because of their thermal mass, CEB buildings naturally provide some passive heating and cooling, providing increased comfort for inhabitants. The blocks are made from the soil on the school site [instead of concrete], mixed with crushed mangrove oyster shell [instead of lime] and water, compressed in a manual press. Concrete, as well as creating 5% of the world’s emissions of carbon dioxide , is subject to corrosion particularly in hot environments – like The Gambia . Buildings made from CEBs have been shown to last for much longer. The New Yundum community is excited to be part of a project that will provide a school for several generations. By using the soil made available from digging the foundations and the cesspit, there is less environmental impact in use of resources. The same is true of recycling mangrove oyster shells left over from food production. Already solar power provides power for the water pump to bring up water from the aquifer in the bore hole sunk by Afrikaya. Although electricity is soon to reach this area of New Yundum, the plan is to provide solar power for the whole of the project. Wind power is also being investigated. As well as having low environmental impact, it is particularly important for an alternative power source in The Gambia where the electricity supply is intermittent and costly, effecting business and education to a significant extent. The common belief in The Gambia is that electricity is best and is modern. Afrikaya is hoping to challenge that belief by example. The intention is that all persons who benefit from the project will be taught the importance of sustainability, recycling and environmental impact and that this will have a roll on effect of their neighbors. https://facebook/?q=#/groups/58679098668/?ref=br_tf
Posted on: Mon, 08 Jul 2013 04:43:24 +0000
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