Many Paths Forward

Making bricks with a lever-driven press

Creative collaboration

Humanity for Children (HFC) is an American non-profit organization that works for health in the Simanjiro District. Several years ago, HFC leaders realized that it would be good to add ICSEE stoves to their efforts. The stoves would help families involved in HFC health programs to go home to healthier dwellings.

When their funding became available, we brought stoves to the District and helped install them.

Once the village women are trained, Installation can be done locally. Because of the special custom design of the fireboxes, we will continue to transport them to the District. But overall, the rest of the work can be done locally.

Stoves require bricks. When our installations need bricks for a small number of stoves we make the bricks ourselves, pressing a mixture of slightly damp clay and cement. Because the process requires a lot of pressure, we use lever-driven presses purchased in Kenya. However, when we require a sizeable quantity, we buy fired bricks from large enterprises in Arusha.

For HMC’s Simanjiro District project, we sent pressing machines and expert brickmakers. In addition, we sent ICSEE-trained women, accomplished in stove installation

Stove installation

With success in the Simanjiro District, the leaders wanted to add the stove project to Loliondo which is quite far away, located in the northern part of Ngorongoro District.

Together, we discovered an innovation that makes stoves there affordable, in spite of the distance.

The leaders contracted the same Kenyan company that created our presses to manufacture two for their villages.We sent two ICSEE experts to train the people on press installation and efficient and successful brickmaking, using their new machines from Kenya.

The newly trained brickmakers of the HMC team took over. Going forward, the HMC program will be fully capable of installing ICSEE stoves. Except for the custom fireboxes we will transport to them, they will be able to operate independently.

Loading ICSEE factory-made fireboxes onto a truck for transport

Trailblazing

We are now working with Maasai Women Blazing Trails (MWBT). They are an exciting new organization founded by Rachel Saetwa, a Maasai woman.

Ms. Saetwa raised funds to collaborate with the ICSEE to bring a groundwater program to her village of Orbili Ruvu/Remit and surrounding areas.

The ICSEE helped Ms.Saetwa establish a registered Tanzanian NGO to start this work. Through her organization, she was able to raise enough money to be the principal source of funds to introduce clean and safe water to the village. The method was accessing groundwater with solar-powered pumps.

At first, the groundwater will be only for household use. Ten thousand liters a day will be pumped up 500 feet (150 meters) using solar energy. It will then go into storage tanks in the village area. If there is enough, some of the water could be used for growing vegetables and watering livestock. 

We at the International Collaborative are happy to share our experience with drilling wells, and to provide some additional funding to help get her initiative going well.  

This is true “empowerment"--collaborative action, not just words.

It is a great pleasure to know that our help is making a difference, and to stand back and see powerful new relationships emerging. We see the people enthusiastically embracing the belief that life can indeed be better. With new leaders like Ms. Saetwa, the people have an important role to play. Communities near and far observe the changes, and are inspired to seek out creative solutions and to reach for a better life.

Leaders with Vision

International Collaborative leaders have a lot of experience, connections, and expertise. But there are also leaders from other groups who want to collaborate to bring benefits to their local communities.

Congratulations to Humanity for Children and Maasai Women Blazing Trails. We applaud your vision and your work.

Thanks to all our supporters. It is your generosity that makes this work possible.

Build on success!

For a better life for rural Africans, and a cleaner environment for all

International Collaborative for Science, Education, and the Environment

Office of Programs and Development

30531 Abington Court

Laguna Niguel, CA  92677  USA

1-508-735-9176

www.internationalcollaborative.org