My return from the UK to Malawi was warm and welcoming. Our
village, named Sam’s Village (8km from the Kamuzu International Airport)
greeted myself and George (work colleague) with a poster made out of connected
maize bags and writing.
This was now my home. It was an incredible journey of
reflection and learning back in the UK. A well-deserved break, if I may say so
myself! I collected inspiration from my slightly confused more cultured mind
and direction / advice for my path ahead. My main worry was if my role as the
architect for the NGO Landirani Trust would be taken seriously and seen as
professional in the ‘Western world’. I called up my tutor from Oxford Brookes
University who then said ‘What is professionalism? I sighed in relief knowing I
had learnt so many different roles including budgeting and project management.
I had written many notes that I would collaborate into work diaries from my
past and present experiences.
Yes I was happy in Malawi. I had taken the plunge and my job
satisfaction levels are still rewarding despite the everyday challenges of
culture and hierarchies. I have continued drawing buildings to be erected this
year. Our environmental training village has expanded. I helped to finish:
Visitors Accommodation: I helped to site manage and
finish this build taken over from a guy called Simon Zipata Gates, He designed
the house to have the first curved rammed wall in the region.
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| Visitors Accommodation |
Library: George Phiri was working alongside building
the first community library in the whole region. This is nearly filled with
donated books from all over the world!
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| Community Library with bottle wall |
Compost toilet: After realising there were plastic bottles
coming from the aeroplanes off the 7 flights a day I started cycling across to
collect them to be used as a building material. The rainwater is collected and
stored off the roof.
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| Plastic bottle compost toilet |
Workshop: This was our first 2 storey earth build
with a welcoming inward slanted wall and viewing section above.
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| Workshop |
Training Accommodation: Another 2 storey build with
narrow tall windows (better for structural stability) to follow the sun rising
and setting paths.
Our aim is to create opportunities training people in
vocational skills. Many people can visit and stay for a price that will
reimburse back into the running of the project. The buildings work hand in hand
with the landscaping and permaculture which is grown with many different types
of plants to promote nutrition in the surrounding villages. It will also be a
commercial farm in the future once we have secured the irrigation system to
gain money for the running costs.
I have struggled to try and build a plastic bottle wind
turbine (after gaining inspiration from reading the book, the boy who harnessed
the wind). This highlights the need for improvement in my electrical knowledge.
I researched this wind turbine would have to spin 1000 times a minute to charge
the car battery it was connected to. This is a side project still in working
progress!
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| Thatching Training Accommodation |
George and I joined the conference Clayfest which was held
in Errol, Scotland where we learnt the science and explanations into rammed
earth. A good ratio of different soils mixed with a small amount of water binds
as strong as concrete and acts with the same properties but is more breathable
and climate responsive. It was really refreshing to meet like-minded
architects, anthropologists, engineers, historians and sustainable characters
who understood and were passionate for a change in mind set.
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| Rammed Earth with Rowland Keable |
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| Fibre and Clay Sculpture |
We know earth is cheaper and more environmentally friendly
but the costs for the large high capacity buildings at Sams Village are still
incredibly high. This year and next I continue to research and look into
affordable durable sustainable homes. This will be a big challenge but after an
exciting break I am determined to come up with a solution to resolve one of the
many issues of poverty.
Coming back to Malawi I can once again cycle down my 2 roads
to work and greet people who respond with waves and smiles. People have a
different energy that I collect for my inspiration.
A few fun volunteers from Landirani made a road trip to my
favourite place Nkhata Bay for my first weekend back, this was for a biogas
meeting in Mzuzu. I happily jumped in the back of the car heading north trying
not to get too stuck into a routine on my return.
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| Patrick and I squashed into the boot of the car |
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| Nkhata Bay Bay |
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| Sunset in Nkhata Bay |
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| Butterfly Space Nursery |
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| Chikale Beach rockscape |
That bank holiday was for the Malawi Independence 51 years
ago. There is another bank holiday this weekend due to Ramadam. Any temptations to go to Lake Malawi
have been put aside as I realise I need to find a house to live in before my
mum arrives in 2 weeks time. Her only request was for a hot shower so I will
also have to paint a bucket black and make some sort of pulley so she feels
comfortable!!!! Fun times.
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| Mum's shower! |
