ETHOS Technical Reports
Document Type
Report
Publication Date
9-7-2011
Abstract
For a ten week period, Ryan Arling, Mark Abram, and Kelli Schimmoeller worked on various projects in Malawi, Africa. The main project was the design and construction of a classroom building for Bawa Orphan Care Centre using local materials and labor. The school project relied upon the very limited availability of materials in a developing country. The project was completed, except for the iron sheets of the roof, which will be installed when funding becomes available.
A second project involved the diagnosis of an existing solar-powered water pump system that once pumped water to the hilltop of Sangilo Village, including the hospital. Much importance was placed on this project as so many people struggle to carry large quantities of water up the hill from Lake Malawi every day. The team was able to diagnose the problem with the pump, however was unable to explore options for fixing the pump because of limited internet connectivity and a lack of servicers in Malawi. The team has carried the pump back to America where options for repair or replacement will be explored.
Also, a rocket stove was constructed at Maji Zuwa Lodge to cook more efficiently and more cleanly than their previous methods. The stove was built using locally available materials to accommodate the pots and pans that Maji Zuwa already owned and regularly used.
With all three of these projects, material availability was the largest limiting factor. Appropriate technologies were applied to complete the projects so that they had practical uses for reasonable costs.
eCommons Citation
Arling, Ryan; Schimmoelller, Kelli; and Abram, Mark, "Malawi: Classroom Construction, Solar Water Pump, and Rocket Stove" (2011). ETHOS Technical Reports. 12.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/ethos_reports/12
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