Columbus
 Global Village
 Team

Ghana 2005

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One Block at a Time

a slide show by Scott Moore
(Click photos to see full size)

  • One Block at a Time Building Community through Habitat for Humanity in Awaso, Ghana
    One Block at a Time Building Community through Habitat for Humanity in Awaso, Ghana
  • This is the Village of Awaso, Ghana. The village has a population of about 6600. The major employer is the Ghana Bauxite Company, a mine employing about 275. The remaining income comes from farming and logging as well as home crafts.
    This is the Village of Awaso, Ghana. The village has a population of about 6600. The major employer is the Ghana Bauxite Company, a mine employing about 275. The remaining income comes from farming and logging as well as home crafts.
  • Like most villages in Ghana, Awaso has an open sewer system
    Like most villages in Ghana, Awaso has an open sewer system
  • The is the village dump behind the current house of one of Awaso’s HfH new homeowners.
    The is the village dump behind the current house of one of Awaso’s HfH new homeowners.
  • Awaso has ten Primary Schools in the area, five operated by the Government and five private schools, and four Junior Secondary Schools. At least 2/3 of the residents of Awaso have gone to the Junior Secondary School Level, with some of those going to Senior Secondary and even University Level.
    Awaso has ten Primary Schools in the area, five operated by the Government and five private schools, and four Junior Secondary Schools. At least 2/3 of the residents of Awaso have gone to the Junior Secondary School Level, with some of those going to Senior Secondary and even University Level.
  • St. Francis Primary School
    St. Francis Primary School
  • This is the teacher’s workroom. They do not have adequate or proper teaching material.
    This is the teacher’s workroom. They do not have adequate or proper teaching material.
  • Toilet facilities behind the school
    Toilet facilities behind the school
  • Awaso has 7 churches. Pictured here is St. Francis Catholic Church. Religions represented are Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, Assembly of God, Christ Apostolic Church, Methodist and Islam
    Awaso has 7 churches. Pictured here is St. Francis Catholic Church. Religions represented are Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, Assembly of God, Christ Apostolic Church, Methodist and Islam
  • St. Francis Catholic Church
    St. Francis Catholic Church
  • Natasha speaking at the Assemblies of God church
    Natasha speaking at the Assemblies of God church
  • Scott speaking about Habitat at St. Francis Catholic church
    Scott speaking about Habitat at St. Francis Catholic church
  • The village children were happy and friendly. They accepted us with heart warming smiles
    The village children were happy and friendly. They accepted us with heart warming smiles
  • They loved to have their picture taken
    They loved to have their picture taken
  • I felt like a pied piper!
    I felt like a pied piper!
  • Habitat for Humanity site in Awaso
    Habitat for Humanity site in Awaso
  • How do you start a house? With a foundation of course.
    How do you start a house? With a foundation of course.
  • Pouring the footer for the house. The concrete is made with cement, sand, gravel and water. All of this hand mixed by shovel.
    Pouring the footer for the house. The concrete is made with cement, sand, gravel and water. All of this hand mixed by shovel.
  • Water is carried about 1/8 of a mile from the river.
    Water is carried about 1/8 of a mile from the river.
  • Gravel for making the concrete floors is gathered from the hill behind the village. First a small broom is made by binding together the stems from a couple dozen palm leaves. Gently brushing away the dirt reveals the gravel, which is gathered by hand into a head pan and carried to the work site.
    Gravel for making the concrete floors is gathered from the hill behind the village. First a small broom is made by binding together the stems from a couple dozen palm leaves. Gently brushing away the dirt reveals the gravel, which is gathered by hand into a head pan and carried to the work site.
  • Hand mixing! Oh, how we wished for a cement mixer!
    Hand mixing! Oh, how we wished for a cement mixer!
  • The first 2 courses of block are made with cement and sand. These are set on the footer after it has cured for a day.
    The first 2 courses of block are made with cement and sand. These are set on the footer after it has cured for a day.
  • Mortaring the joints between the blocks
    Mortaring the joints between the blocks
  • The dirtcrete blocks were made from clay mud in a form
    The dirtcrete blocks were made from clay mud in a form
  • Compacting the clay
    Compacting the clay
  • Carrying the dirtcrete block to allow it to dry
    Carrying the dirtcrete block to allow it to dry
  • Laying block one at a time to build a wall
    Laying block one at a time to build a wall
  • Block was laid to the bottom of the windows and then allowed to set.
    Block was laid to the bottom of the windows and then allowed to set.
  • Anthony, the Chief Mason is checking a door frame for plumb.
    Anthony, the Chief Mason is checking a door frame for plumb.
  • Dirt in the inside of the house had to be removed/or added to level the floor
    Dirt in the inside of the house had to be removed/or added to level the floor
  • Ishmael Attah doing his sweat equity by clearing the dirt around his house.
    Ishmael Attah doing his sweat equity by clearing the dirt around his house.
  • Scaffolding was needed to lay the next courses of block
    Scaffolding was needed to lay the next courses of block
  • The women carried blocks on the heads from the drying area to the home site
    The women carried blocks on the heads from the drying area to the home site
  • Dave using the wheel barrow we bought to move blocks
    Dave using the wheel barrow we bought to move blocks
  • Building the gable wall
    Building the gable wall
  • Talk about a cat on a hot tin roof! This worker is barefoot on this tin roof in 100 + degree temperature.
    Talk about a cat on a hot tin roof! This worker is barefoot on this tin roof in 100 + degree temperature.
  • We used mortar to plaster the walls to keep them from eroding and to provide strength.
    We used mortar to plaster the walls to keep them from eroding and to provide strength.
  • Pouring the floor, about 1.5” thick
    Pouring the floor, about 1.5” thick
  • Moving dirt from one place to another
    Moving dirt from one place to another
  • Starting the hole for the KVIP (Kumasi Ventilated Improved Pit)
    Starting the hole for the KVIP (Kumasi Ventilated Improved Pit)
  • The hole is complete, dug in one day! The team contributed $115 to the Electricity Fund for this accomplishment.
    The hole is complete, dug in one day! The team contributed $115 to the Electricity Fund for this accomplishment.
  • Lining the KVIP with concrete blocks
    Lining the KVIP with concrete blocks
  • Concrete slab covers for the KVIP, the chickens left their mark
    Concrete slab covers for the KVIP, the chickens left their mark
  • Trimming the doors
    Trimming the doors
  • A little planeing and drilling
    A little planeing and drilling
  • Installed doors
    Installed doors
  • Anthony, The chief mason and Scott. The commemorative plaque
    Anthony, The chief mason and Scott. The commemorative plaque
  • The Columbus to Ghana 2005 Team. Regina, Jim, Rabbit, Don, Susi, Marge, Natasha, Judy, Scott, Dave and Dan
    The Columbus to Ghana 2005 Team. Regina, Jim, Rabbit, Don, Susi, Marge, Natasha, Judy, Scott, Dave and Dan
  • Time to celebrate and dedicate. The village chief and entourage.
    Time to celebrate and dedicate. The village chief and entourage.
  • The happy new homeowner, Yaa Abiba Attah
    The happy new homeowner, Yaa Abiba Attah
  • Donation to the Awaso HfH Affiliate Electricity Fund
    Donation to the Awaso HfH Affiliate Electricity Fund
  • A $50 “Thank You” donation to the CYO (Catholic Youth Organization)
    A $50 “Thank You” donation to the CYO (Catholic Youth Organization)
  • Susi, the Team Leader was “en-stooled” as a Queen Mother
    Susi, the Team Leader was “en-stooled” as a Queen Mother
  • Scott, Janet and Rabbit at the celebration
    Scott, Janet and Rabbit at the celebration
  • Dedicating the house and giving the keys to the new homeowner
    Dedicating the house and giving the keys to the new homeowner
  • R&R after a hard 8 days of building!
    R&R after a hard 8 days of building!