One man’s fight against poverty, by making a mansion out of mud


“Macford Mwape lives on less than two dollars a day in Zambia’s Copperbelt region. He’s spent the last five years painstakingly making ten thousand mud bricks, to build the house of his dreams. Now he wants to train his neighbours to build better houses for themselves.”

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This Family Sold Their Home To Move Into An Amazing House Truck


“Many people would be really apprehensive when it comes to the idea of moving into a tiny house with a young family. Josh, Naomi and Kilaian took the plunge, selling their three bedroom home in order to purchase a house truck where they now all live together full time.

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Emergency Straw Bale Shelter Links


Hello, I came across your site on straw bale building and wonder if you can share your knowledge about the feasibility of building straw bale temp shelters for those braving the cold in North Dakota and Iowa to stop the Dakota pipeline. Please let me know as soon as you can. Warmly, Damita

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On the Road in India: American NGO workers build low cost houses in Madurai


Another media report about our earthbag project in India. We’ve managed to get in the newspaper or TV every day this week. Channel News7 Tamil said they will produce a half hour show very soon with full coverage of the meeting room that’s under construction. Once it’s completed, small groups will be able to meet around a conference table, watch digital presentations and enjoy snacks and beverages. This concept fits perfectly with Anna University’s emphasis on entrepreneurship and sustainable building.

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Earthbag Method is Ideal for Constructing Community Toilets in India

Owen Geiger and Kateryna Zemskova step out from an earthbag meeting room under construction at Anna University, Madurai campus.
Owen Geiger and Kateryna Zemskova step out from an earthbag meeting room under construction at Anna University, Madurai campus.

“Earthbag construction technology is old wine in a new bottle as rammed earth method of construction is an ancient method, according to the experts in the method, Owen Geiger and Kateryna Zemskova of Good Earth Nepal. They feel that the cost-effective method will be ideal for constructing toilets under the Central government’s Swachh Bharat scheme.

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Mulkharka School Earthbag Rebuilding Project – Nepal

MULKHARKA SCHOOL EARTHBAG REBUILDING PROJECT from YuCha on Vimeo.

“This short film by YuCha shows the post-earthquake reconstruction of the school of Mulkharka, a small village in the district of Sindhupalchok, Nepal, using the earthbag technique. YuCha works in partnership with First Steps Himalaya for the rebuilding project.

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