Habitat for Humanity: Day 6, part 2

Habitat Resource Centre

Before our workday started, we went to the Habitat Resource Centre (HRC) to learn more about that program. We had a chance to hear from Musa, the Marketing and Project Coordinator.

The HRC partners with three other programs: SOS Malawi, Young Africa and Children’s Fund of Malawi

It involves 6 months of classroom training, where the students are taught carpentry, joinery, brick-making and bricklaying. The six months of classroom training are followed by a 3 month internship, and after completion of the internship, the program assists with job placement by referring the youth to potential job opportunities (however it is the responsibility of the applicant to follow up on the leads given to them.)

In order to enter the program, applicants need to have the ability to read and write English, however applicants do not have to have completed 8th grade, which is helpful since they are trying to target at-risk youth.

We learned that cement bricks are made from a mix of concrete, river sand and quarry dust in a ration of 1/1/3. It takes 7-14 days to cure before it is usable.

Day 6 part 3: (Habitat Resource Centre, continued)

In addition to making cement blocks, students also learn how to make stabilized soil blocks, which are another kind of brick.

Stabilized soil block is made from Cement, river sand & gravel in a ratio of 1/2/4 and cures in 24 hours, after which time it is ready for use.

Day 6 part 4: Habitat Resource Centre (continued)

Here are a few pictures of one of the resource centers training areas.
Woodworkers (and others) will be surprised to find that there’s a fair amount of building materials (like doors!) made out of teak, especially considering how expensive Teak wood is in the US. I believe I was told that Teak is now a restricted product.
I’m not sure why I can’t find my pictures of the students working on carpentry… 🤷🏽‍♀️