Project 058. Compressed Brick Project

Story

In this country of rural West Africa most houses are built with dried mud blocks. During prolonged periods of rain, houses are seriously damaged and even collapse.

A ReachAcross worker builds earth block presses. These presses enable the production of building blocks with a low concrete content, that are far stronger and more resilient than local bricks made of earth. The low concrete content ensures that the price per block remains affordable, compared with the cost of using only concrete as the prime material.

Our worker makes the presses accompanied by local men so that they can learn how to make them and this gives the opportunity of bearing witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ not only with words but also deeds. Young men can acquire useful skills, giving them an opportunity to generate income.

The hope is that using compressed earth blocks becomes an established way of house building in many villages in this region, providing housing that is both permanent and affordable.