The HICSEB making machine has been used to train masonry students at the Kagondo trade school, operated by the Kolping Society of Tanzania – the KST (our partner in this Initiative). The KST is considering a home construction business using the HICSEB machine and construction techniques they have learned from this project. Fundraising for further homes remains a challenge.

The following photos show the third home we have completed for Anita and Josiah’s family. Josiah, crippled in the 2016 earthquake, now has a high quality wheelchair. Previously he lived, quite literally, in the dirt of the family’s mud-wattle home and had to be carried on someone’s back to go anywhere. Now he has dignity and some measure of independence. We added a ramp up to the front door of the new home to make wheelchair access manageable.

Anicia’s family received the first new home in the village. With profits from substantially increased coffee production (a separate, non-ICO project initiated by Mr Kyles), she has paid the power company to bring electricity to her home (one of the first in the village). Her kids now study by electric light rather than kerosene lamps (the latter causing terrible lung problems for many).