1920_SIDAREC

Entered into: Africa Challenge

Overview

team

THE MAIN IDEA OF JOINIG

Program for this project was based on the idea of 3 times joining:

1. We connected 2 actions directed to Africa: already organized “1 Laptop per 1 Child in Africa” and this one of Sidarec

2. We connected different types of building: High- tech tool + low –tech construction

3. The project mainly bases on joining organizator’s / architects ‘ and habitants willings and work.

SUMMARY

Why should we think about fixed places for computers or closed rooms with specific uses when actually the culture of this area dictates something totally opposite? Based on “adobe” low-tech construction, counting on the inhabitants involveness and existing buildings, a safe area appears as playgrounds among multipurposses buildings. The idea of One Laptop per Child is the most effective when we think about this open space, but closed in itself, as a multiactivity one in which computers would not be only a high-tech tool, but a knowledge and educational tool that should be used and thought as a pencil and a notebook which will connect them withthe rest of the world.

TOILET

Materials and Requirements

Baskets, hoes, wheel barrow, spade, panga for slashing materials

Household sweepings

Wood ash

Animal manure

Green organic materials

Brown organic materials

Water

Long stick

Thin branches, sticks or rough vegetation

Preperation

Select a site to be used for composting. Compost best composes in moist or damp conditions. The best site is a place that which is sheltered from wind, rain and sun, in a shady spot, preferably under a tree. Placing the site on a slight slope can be useful to improve drainage Measure an area for the compost. A good size is 4ft x 4ft as it is a good size but allows room to work on the compost pile.

For paces of low rainfall - dig a pit 2-3ft deep. Loosen the ground at the bottom and sprinkle with water. The top soil from the digging can be put aside to be used later in the compost.

Building

Lay down the rough materials - e.g small twigs, maize or sorgum stalks. About 1ft of these (unslashed) will allow free air and water movement at the base of the compost prinkle water - Add a liberal amount water between each layer, but ensure it is sprinkled. This will give the compost adequate and even spread of moisture. It is sprinkled to achieve an evenly watered moist compost (as opposed to a wet one)

Lay down the brown material - e.g dry vegetation, soft tree leaves, dry grass, cut dried banana leaves. This layer should be about 4ins

Lay down a layer of manure - e.g Poultry, Pig, Goat, cow

Sprinkle a thin layer of top garden soil, old compost and water. This rich layer will already containing rich nutrients, and hence will kick start the process

Add a layer of green material and sprinkle ash (do not water this layer). The ash neutralises the acidity of the greens and aids decomposition through its salts

Repeat the layers 3-6 described above until the compost reaches hip height from the ground or knee height from the pit
The last layer is a thick layer of topsoil which is then generously sprinkled with water

he compost is well mulched all around with dried grass, banana leaves or twigs. This prevents moisture from escaping from the compost

A long sharp ended stick is inserted through all the layers. This can be user as a thermometer to analise how the compost is progressing

Monitoring

After 3 days take out the long stick to see if decomposition has started. The stick should be noticeably warmer at the centre of the stick. If not, then add more water. It may be too dry.

Use the stick as a thermometer, and regularly check the heat of the compost. Add water if it is too dry, or there is noticable mould forming on the stick

Remove the mulch and turn the whole compost every 3 weeks. Then put the multch over the top layer again
Given good conditions, the compost can be ready as soon as nine weeks. When ready, the soil should be moist, smell fresh and have a sweet forest smell.