tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33717158649648475912024-03-20T07:50:46.423+00:00grassroots communities englishadministrator IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07539346858223754228noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371715864964847591.post-35552000450777303542012-10-09T14:43:00.000+01:002012-10-09T17:56:25.331+01:00A young monkey called Velvet, a story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the heart of Africa, not very far from a well traveled dirt road, there is a small lake. It is really more like a pond. And it has become a water hole for the wild game that lives in the area. It is home to some fish, sometimes a crocodile or two, and occasionally a small group of hippopotamus that finds there relief from the blazing African sun.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNKtIQBjUsinmXIBlty5ndeO4OsQDxlp6Q3hc6LvgH1_UrygIixrZZnp-31k2UCH4ekDx0BJMdDSaw6pYDMoHzZnGLHDmU7igfyx_WYpl9hBWvHGeKBSGl-ZCtlyAL4iqCY9kMDtknsU8/s1600/DSCN0600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNKtIQBjUsinmXIBlty5ndeO4OsQDxlp6Q3hc6LvgH1_UrygIixrZZnp-31k2UCH4ekDx0BJMdDSaw6pYDMoHzZnGLHDmU7igfyx_WYpl9hBWvHGeKBSGl-ZCtlyAL4iqCY9kMDtknsU8/s400/DSCN0600.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The area around the lake is temporary home to herds of impala and to a small troop of Vervet Monkeys. Every day the monkeys gather around the lake to catch insects, seeds and tender grass shoots that they eat. They also drink water from the lake. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Among the young monkeys in the troop there is one whose face is particularly soft. His friends call him Velvet Face. Some call him Velvet. Others call him Face, but he does not like to be called Face. He prefers to be called Velvet. That is how his mother calls him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is very hot on this particular day. It is early in the morning but the sun is already very hot. Velvet feels thirsty. He thinks of the fresh water in the lake but decides not to drink from the lake edge. The lake is known to have crocodiles and he is not going to take any chances. He decides instead to lick the drops of water hanging from the blades of grass. This water is very fresh. It was left on the grass leaves by the previous night's heavy rain.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And so Velvet satisfies his thirst licking the rain water drops from the thin blades of grass. He notices that one of his friends approaches him and decides to sit near his tail. But Velvet knows him and does not care. He is happy drinking the rain drops. His friend picks up the tip of Velvet's tail in a tender gesture and starts to smooth the soft hair with his fingers. Velvet feels good with these gestures of tenderness and trust.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Then, all of a sudden, his friend takes the tip of Velvet's tail to his mouth and bites it. Not a ferocious bite, but a good bite nonetheless. Velvet is startled, screams, and jumps up in the air releasing his tail from his friend's grip. He lands right in front of his friend who decides to run away, just in case Velvet decides to bite him back.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Velvet chases his friend half way around the lake and back. He is ready to give his friend a good bite back but does not seem to be able to catch him. At the end of this run they are back where they started. Both are tired and both are now thirsty. They settle, not very far from each other, among the fresh blades of grass, and start to lick the water drops that were left there by the previous night's heavy rain.</span></span></div>
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administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10947807049794210521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371715864964847591.post-3404067801808493052012-08-19T14:55:00.000+01:002012-08-19T14:55:01.230+01:00Name change<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: small;">We changed our name. This one is more inclusive.</span></span></span><br />
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administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10947807049794210521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371715864964847591.post-14909888426400380232012-08-05T17:25:00.001+01:002012-08-05T17:25:31.795+01:0042 – Sun-dried tomatoes<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This one I am going to transcribe just as I found it
on the Internet:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3371715864964847591" name="3467868442986596500"></a>Dearest
friends. More often than not time is not on my side as I try to share with you my
ideas about all the projects I am doing. But today I am following up on my
promise and describe my most recent project: <b>a solar food dehydrator</b>. I am not quite sure if it will work but
when I decide on something I do not give up until I make it work. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_6YOPMTL4eM0oUOJJlNclcrySI0QHFc2M-FNY01THO8ruIKTNIhK48Ufy4aMPvFT0FI-TzTmrIdv_zrsWEZ71pp_PIKYqSLlosrNyL1lfWJqcwY4xqlnD-8ayVh6z2Z_S1zjKtSCyQDC/s1600/tomate-seco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_6YOPMTL4eM0oUOJJlNclcrySI0QHFc2M-FNY01THO8ruIKTNIhK48Ufy4aMPvFT0FI-TzTmrIdv_zrsWEZ71pp_PIKYqSLlosrNyL1lfWJqcwY4xqlnD-8ayVh6z2Z_S1zjKtSCyQDC/s400/tomate-seco.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sun-dried tomatoes</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I love <b>sun-dried tomatoes</b> and I normally do them in the microwave to save
time. The other day, surfing the net, I received a comment from my friend <a href="http://releravida.blogspot.com/"><span lang="EN-US">Mônica</span></a> who
had a post about her <b>solar food
dehydrator</b>. I was curious and went on to investigate this contraption. This
was a very simple gadget. I bought the material and convinced my husband to
make it for me.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaa8qsbg0IV411vtFYeTuPUsL2oNhRQ3XnSON6-knt1hV0z7NDLgb6An-Zp6lhIsQxTLwV3nYzVhFxmsGn6kuqaMb-lYBvEJ-Uv60lPhLDBDWJm7SXSSw-noU-0IN4l5Kbg2Pe8Id1GQ22/s1600/secador.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaa8qsbg0IV411vtFYeTuPUsL2oNhRQ3XnSON6-knt1hV0z7NDLgb6An-Zp6lhIsQxTLwV3nYzVhFxmsGn6kuqaMb-lYBvEJ-Uv60lPhLDBDWJm7SXSSw-noU-0IN4l5Kbg2Pe8Id1GQ22/s400/secador.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrjiGEChVmiGTjRoeKzguXwJ4NB8NxgCF27bQaZ-gvdpYQ2cBehHGHmBDWL0dPWgyoL1ugettHTgZ4_XtKeyjKSBQNR3n5ihKlNqoXfjcNzWldH10rsIlfD77azFp4BEFIuZeTT59UwoR/s1600-h/secador.jpg"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Solar food dehydrator</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3-_N0kb6BSFbN43A_haLo2gb_dkPScgSIMPjD653bwDqdM-8wue-t9NNoqzqwW6R9bHW9sxmbBhyH3T4d6TO8UhUdZS-yoXJZZQ4oVvNNv6GHDO-ihqtq9SFNxt9IFlcL_1ufa7ypNK0/s1600/desidratador-solar-en.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3-_N0kb6BSFbN43A_haLo2gb_dkPScgSIMPjD653bwDqdM-8wue-t9NNoqzqwW6R9bHW9sxmbBhyH3T4d6TO8UhUdZS-yoXJZZQ4oVvNNv6GHDO-ihqtq9SFNxt9IFlcL_1ufa7ypNK0/s400/desidratador-solar-en.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Solar
food dehydrator made out of Styrofoam.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">People! These things are designed to
dehydrate food products, like fruit, tomatoes and vegetables, in the sun. With
all the sun we have here in Brasil. What a show! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">One day, after my husband
arrived from work, we made this dehydrator. He made it. I gave opinions,
suggestions and moral support… We opted for <b>Styrofoam</b> because this was going to be a test.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrc891Y7PcHq_8fhqUjsJIgZjInQJymqCfMPTzZnunilSq9ULkkX0PIsrffKznwnXUtmZ_q-4pTrGciK6H-AGNboi8Sjpqg7J2pbptSY7HO_aDEHdNpsfzA7gQ9OARLl247XwwQS8kXn2/s1600/Diversas+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrc891Y7PcHq_8fhqUjsJIgZjInQJymqCfMPTzZnunilSq9ULkkX0PIsrffKznwnXUtmZ_q-4pTrGciK6H-AGNboi8Sjpqg7J2pbptSY7HO_aDEHdNpsfzA7gQ9OARLl247XwwQS8kXn2/s400/Diversas+003.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5C14ZkCu7OSJE1n68CkJJvKwuszPWRRrVlGN9W5itEyW5K2oZvl8xcqMa_8PA36bU9BiD8jYFR8RZ-t8ysgBawhxWLsPZEgWz5cnvSwKJeV6MMrlCZ5C-7a72kesscstKifjwI_8xr3Up/s1600-h/Diversas+003.jpg"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Aluminum
foil to help concentrate the heat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_6LWR_5lXPFekgSXeiUHFPpQ3FZyJKYfkaVhIU5r1ZL5pVhTxQyNuSrdewM9EZdhxW9e8mkdm3wgt7_F8CtFlfNdngDg3gzb61l2UoyiM6h9hVuQmxK8ya5dJz6UUyvV3NrNWPFuUfwe3/s1600-h/Diversas+004.jpg"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Detail
of the mosquito net for ventilation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I loaded my new dehydrator
with tomatoes and after <b>spraying</b>
them with a mixture of one half <b>sugar</b>
and one half <b>salt</b> I placed the box
in the sun covered with a piece of 4mm window glass. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_l1o2ZLppRHumodaL9_eKc5VKh535sSDQCSl2uqULCMxsT4pbkgJqT59Ujvh4dOeS0wXB0hsa0Y0lJo_f9O1Eq6uljlp1xemK5O8R_ofY2Ha-YdYjH_TTYZcmZn4ZrlkKqBBkXDornYDQ/s1600/Diversas+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_l1o2ZLppRHumodaL9_eKc5VKh535sSDQCSl2uqULCMxsT4pbkgJqT59Ujvh4dOeS0wXB0hsa0Y0lJo_f9O1Eq6uljlp1xemK5O8R_ofY2Ha-YdYjH_TTYZcmZn4ZrlkKqBBkXDornYDQ/s400/Diversas+009.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-J72yZyCEVh1glY_2-kZqL7QgrDpZ56hHOSduH4m7DNVlgFKMy10tVuz1gQGwADwWVvxhPMmFsezZUU9bucnSoSnXT4FdbJWmGWmAqFXPoHSyvr7b9UMZ4RGHrm2KqTTzZuqbLOtuUMx/s1600-h/Diversas+009.jpg"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Dehydrator
covered with 4mm glass sheet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Saturday I was very happy
imagining my sun-dried tomatoes when I saw a dark cloud approaching. It has
been raining since and I have not been able to test my tomato dehydrator. Why
did I have to find out about this contraption at the end of summer? Well. So be it. I
will wait for the sun to return.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">My love to all the curious people who surf by my blog
on a regular basis. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://bordadoseretalhos.blogspot.com/2010/03/tomates-secos-ao-sol-parte-ii.html">http://bordadoseretalhos.blogspot.com/2010/03/tomates-secos-ao-sol-parte-ii.html</a></span></div>
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<span lang="PT" style="font-family: "Maiandra GD"; font-size: 9.0pt;">
</span></div>administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10947807049794210521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371715864964847591.post-7562511584794057022012-07-29T19:03:00.004+01:002012-08-05T17:26:14.241+01:0000 - Present and future articles<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">There is a lot to be explored in this blog.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I am going to start with dwelling construction articles but I will add other topics as frequently as I can find them. At the moment I have the following ideas and published articles:</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">00 – Inspiration</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">00 -
Just a thought for the week</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">00 - Present and
future articles</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">00 - The inspiring
idea</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>0..
- Good features in a dwelling</b></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">01 - Heat and
humidity</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">02 - Humidity in
buildings</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">02a -
Humidity in a dwelling - how to avoid</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">03 - Building
ventilation</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">04 - Natural building
ventilation</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">04a -
A dwelling with good ventilation</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">04b - Good
ventilation habits</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">04c – More on natural ventilation </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">05 -
Protection from the heat and the cold</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1.. - Building
types and solutions</b></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">10 - Modern or
traditional style</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">11 – An idea for a social center </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">11a – Another idea for a social center </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>2.. - Building
materials</b></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">21 -
Mixing soil for compacted earth blocks (CEB)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">21a – More about adobe and rammed earth </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">22 - A manual CEB
CINVA press</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">22a - The manual CETA-RAM press </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>3.. - Household
tools and appliances</b></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">30d -
A rocket stove with adobe blocks</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>4.. - Agriculture
and Permaculture</b></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">40 - Rainwater harvesting </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">42 - Sun-dried tomatoes <b><br /></b></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>5..
- Arts and crafts and more...</b></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">50 - A kanga backpack</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">51a - Making lye with ashes </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">51b - How to render tallow for soap </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>6.. - Business
models</b></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">60 - CEBs - a social
business model</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">60 - Value chains -
general info</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">61 - Value chains</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">62 - Value chains from
scratch</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">63 - Value chains –
examples</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="GHJ45FFBAC">
<span style="font-size: small;">63a – Value chains – another example, soap</span></div>
</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">64 - Value chains -
how they work</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>7.. - </b></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Any valuable ideas and contributions will be welcome.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I would like to add ideas and articles from the most varied sources and I want to express in advance my appreciation for all and any contributions.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">All this may seem excessively ambitious but I think it is very attainable.</span></div>administrator IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07539346858223754228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371715864964847591.post-66904821659578373152012-07-29T19:03:00.003+01:002012-07-29T19:03:27.578+01:0051a - Making lye with ashes<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="bylinetrigger">By Steve Sparkes</span><span class="about"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISmX1kWxoKgiSxPb5EJvuecYX-mKbgUM3TdYnQjFXRZ6os6DJZSy29JFHTOB1ecsUw2YZp7AMTWuQ5Ktd-gzKx7v06uBhE6ON-7eNpUQOMrGnmq5kJ_B_qTUptkvzI-w6SrbVzEsZzpNV/s1600/Sab%C3%A3o+caseiro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISmX1kWxoKgiSxPb5EJvuecYX-mKbgUM3TdYnQjFXRZ6os6DJZSy29JFHTOB1ecsUw2YZp7AMTWuQ5Ktd-gzKx7v06uBhE6ON-7eNpUQOMrGnmq5kJ_B_qTUptkvzI-w6SrbVzEsZzpNV/s400/Sab%C3%A3o+caseiro.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Commercially made soap may have unwanted chemicals in
it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="intro" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Making
your own soap can be a rewarding experience that allows you to experiment with
different ingredients for scent and texture. You control the process, so you
can ensure that the only additives in your soap are ones you want. </span></div>
<div class="intro" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="intro" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Making
<b>homemade soap</b> involves using the same methods that have been used for generations.
The two basic substances used are lye and tallow. Lye can be bought
commercially, but for truly homemade soap, make your own from wood ashes.
Commercial soap is <b>sodium hydroxide</b> while homemade lye is <b>potassium hydroxide</b>. </span></div>
<div class="intro" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="intro" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The homemade lye is actually less harsh than the commercial alternative, making
the resulting soap kinder on your skin. </span></div>
<div class="intro" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Things
You'll Need</span></b></div>
<ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="title">Wood ash from
hard wood</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="title">Rain water</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="title">Two plastic buckets</span></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Instructions</span></b></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: 0.25in; page-break-after: auto;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Making
the Lye</span></b></div>
<ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span>Burn
some wood to create the ashes you need to make lye. You need to use a <b>hard wood
like ash</b>, beech or hickory. When the wood is burnt, collect the light,
white-colored ashes. Disregard any blackened, charcoal remains.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span>Drill
an 1/8 inch hole in the bottom of the plastic bucket (<b>green</b>) about an inch
off-center.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span>Stop
up the hole in the bottom of the bucket with an 1/8-inch nail.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span>Elevate
the bucket (<b>green</b>) above ground with, for example, two breeze blocks. Place the bucket so that there is space under the center for you to put the other
plastic bucket (<b>red</b>) to collect the lye.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9cKUXt4avakPYjob8n184Vtr1PnZCNqhJu8WP_I5CUBbEkwj9li0iVu9rRToAxE0vUdJjb7ZYy0nbHXSI8rwokOK5KWPnKwa5sJt_b2hy9AzOIqoKZ07w1kualot8fiZI03WcfGiEeqs/s1600/Sab%25C3%25A3o+lix%25C3%25ADvia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9cKUXt4avakPYjob8n184Vtr1PnZCNqhJu8WP_I5CUBbEkwj9li0iVu9rRToAxE0vUdJjb7ZYy0nbHXSI8rwokOK5KWPnKwa5sJt_b2hy9AzOIqoKZ07w1kualot8fiZI03WcfGiEeqs/s400/Sab%25C3%25A3o+lix%25C3%25ADvia.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Scoop
spadefuls of </span><b style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">cold ashes</b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> into the bucket (green), compacting the ash down after each
spadeful. Fill the bucket to about a third of its capacity.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Boil
approximately half a bucket of water (rainwater preferably) and add some
carefully to the ashes. There will be some hissing and popping at this stage so
be sure to wear your protective <b>clothes</b>, <b>gloves </b>and <b>goggles</b> from now on.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">You
are in the process of making a <b>caustic substance</b>, which can be dangerous. </span></i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Initially the water will not appear to be mixing with the ashes and will just
sit on top. Leave it and come back later when you can add more water.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Take
the nail out from the bottom of the bucket and come back to check it every few
hours. It could take hours or days for nearly a bowlful of lye to accumulate.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">When it has done, take it to the kitchen and boil it very carefully.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span>Pour
the boiled bowl of lye back into the top of the bucket. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This is how you
strengthen your lye and repeat the process later on, if necessary.</span></i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">To check the
strength of your lye put a chicken's egg into it. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Too weak</b> - if it sinks,</span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Too strong</b> - if it floats too high,and you should add some pure water. </span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Just right</b> - the
egg will float with about the size of a modern dime showing above the surface
of the lye.</span></i></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span>L</span>eave
your lye in the sun in a shallow container until it dries into crystals.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;">Read more: </span><span lang="PT" style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_7685308_make-soap-ashes-tallow.html#ixzz221iBOcQA"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #003399;">How to Make Soap From
Ashes & Tallow | eHow.com</span></a></span><span lang="PT" style="color: black;"> </span><span lang="PT" style="color: black;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #003399;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% white; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span lang="PT" style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_7685308_make-soap-ashes-tallow.html#ixzz221iBOcQA"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #003399;">http://www.ehow.com/how_7685308_make-soap-ashes-tallow.html#ixzz221iBOcQA</span></a></span></span><span style="color: black;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10947807049794210521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371715864964847591.post-22656913220500128892012-07-29T18:43:00.001+01:002012-07-29T18:43:49.441+01:0051b - How to render tallow for soap<!--[if !mso]>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">By <a href="http://candleandsoap.about.com/bio/David-Fisher-4150.htm">David Fisher</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<div class="cap" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">On the label of many
commercially available soap products you'll see <b>sodium tallowate</b> listed as an ingredient. <i>Sodium tallowate</i> is the
by-product of mixing <b>lye</b> with <b>tallow</b> or beef fat. Technically, tallow
is fat (beef or other) that has been rendered. The primary ingredient used in
most soaps is beef fat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Whether
you agree with the use of animal products, there are a few simple reasons why
beef fat (or tallow) is used so widely in soap making: </span></div>
<ol start="1" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">It's cheap, </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">It's readily available,
</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">It makes really good
soap. </span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The lather is rich and creamy, and hard to duplicate
in vegetable oil soap. Vegetable oils are easier to store and there are a lot
of people who just don't like the idea of beef fat in their soaps. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">So...how
do we render beef (or other animal) fat into tallow? It's pretty easy. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">1 - Getting started</span></b></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="PT"><a href="http://0.tqn.com/d/candleandsoap/1/0/h/9/P1010115.JPG" target="_blank" title="View Full-Size"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span><span></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-top: 6pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Rendering
Tallow</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">To
render the tallow you'll need:</span></div>
<ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">3-5 pounds of fat - <span style="font-size: x-small;">chopped
or ground into as small of pieces as possible</span>. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">A large pot - <span style="font-size: x-small;">you will use to make soap</span> </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">Water and some salt </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">A sieve or colander </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">A large bowl to cool it
in </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">Some large spoons, and
a potato masher if you have one</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Be sure to see the <b><i>Special
Note</i></b> about the fat you get.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">2 - Adding water and salt</span></b></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://0.tqn.com/d/candleandsoap/1/0/j/9/P1010117.JPG" target="_blank" title="View Full-Size"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span></div>
<div align="center" class="cap" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 6pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Adding Water to the Pot</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Rendering </b>is pretty much
just melting it to separate out the fat from the meat, gristle and other
impurities. It is similar to filtering out all the olive skins, bits of pits,
olive flesh and excess water from your freshly pressed olive oil.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">To
render the fat into tallow, first, put the fat into a big stew pot and add
enough water to just cover the tallow. Add about <b>1 tbs</b>. of <b>salt</b> for <b>every pound of fat</b>.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>The smaller the chunks, the quicker and more efficiently it will
render</b>. Ask
your butcher to run the fat through the grinder or run it through the food
processor. It really makes a big difference! <i>Don't forget to give the butcher a
bar of soap when it's done!</i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">3 - Heating the mixture</span></b></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XVbWtAaTG3Y7C4cr4xyDwFur54CU6NL3PoGymYUzBCxz_wTYSoBeiVYUfVszzN13t2MEq4uHgbXbQL7VeIrA5DJLqrqCiTRt744qxEBRZsOLh95TFFUxKZ3vpvVlKlIw0d5BsNdsdz7O/s1600/tallow+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XVbWtAaTG3Y7C4cr4xyDwFur54CU6NL3PoGymYUzBCxz_wTYSoBeiVYUfVszzN13t2MEq4uHgbXbQL7VeIrA5DJLqrqCiTRt744qxEBRZsOLh95TFFUxKZ3vpvVlKlIw0d5BsNdsdz7O/s400/tallow+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://0.tqn.com/d/candleandsoap/1/0/m/9/P1010120.JPG" target="_blank" title="View Full-Size"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span></div>
<div align="center" class="cap" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 6pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Beginning to Boil</span></div>
<div class="cap" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Heat the mixture to <b>boiling</b>, then reduce the heat to a low,
rumbling <b>simmer</b>. The chunks of fat
will start to release the liquid fat, and any meat that was left in the fat
will start to cook.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Be sure to do this
in a <b>well ventilated place</b> or turn on the range fan - it will get very smelly!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">4 – Letting it simmer</span></b></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://0.tqn.com/d/candleandsoap/1/0/p/9/P1010123.JPG" target="_blank" title="View Full-Size"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span></div>
<div align="center" class="cap" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 6pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Almost Ready</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The size of your fat chunks
will determine how long you will have to boil the mixture. For pre-ground fat, you
will only have to simmer it for about 20-30 minutes. If the chunks were larger, it will
take longer. Just keep it simmering over a low heat and <b>stir often</b>. You can also take your potato masher and mash the fat a
bit. This will help squeeze the oil out of the meat/chunks.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">5 - Simmering until it becomes melted
tallow, meat and gristle</span></b></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://0.tqn.com/d/candleandsoap/1/0/s/9/P1010126.JPG" target="_blank" title="View Full-Size"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span></div>
<div align="center" class="cap" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 6pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Meat and Gristle</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">When all that is left solid
in the pot is browned meat and gristle, you've gotten about all of the fat you
are going to get. Yes, there may be some reluctant chunks of fat and meat still
floating in the pot, but sometimes it's just not worth the extra work to get
the fat separated out. If you're up for the challenge, mash the remaining meat
chunks with the potato masher to get out every last drop of oil you can. That
should get nearly all of the usable fat separated out.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">6 - Straining the liquid</span></b></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="cap" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 6pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Strain the Liquid</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Now, <b>carefully</b> take
the pot off of the stove and pour the hot liquid through a sieve or colander
into a large bowl in the sink. (And just like you wouldn't pour hot wax down
the drain, be careful that <b>none</b> of the liquid <b>fat</b> goes down the
drain!) The colander is to strain out all of the pieces of meat and gristle.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Lift
the colander out of the big bowl. You'll notice that the <b>water is sinking to the bottom</b> and the melted <b>tallow is rising to the top</b> of the bowl.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: 27pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -27pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Note: You can mix the meat
and gristle with some peanut butter or bran to make a treat for the birds. </i></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">7 – Cooling the liquid</span></b></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://0.tqn.com/d/candleandsoap/1/0/z/9/P1010133.JPG" target="_blank" title="View Full-Size"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span></div>
<div align="center" class="cap" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 6pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Disc of Fat</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Let the liquid cool to room
temperature. Then <b>carefully</b> put the bowl in a cool place and let it cool
overnight. The tallow will cool into a large white disc on the top of the bowl.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">8 - Separating the tallow</span></b></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://0.tqn.com/d/candleandsoap/1/0/-/A/P1010134.JPG" target="_blank" title="View Full-Size"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span></div>
<div align="center" class="cap" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 6pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Remove the Tallow</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Using a knife or a fork, pry up the disc of tallow and
put the pieces into a large bowl.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Now
comes a tricky part. What's left will be a gelatinous, gray goo. You don't want
to pour the left over liquid into the sink – there may still be some
chunks/particles of fat left that can clog your sink pipes. I recommend throwing
it out into the backyard, or at least into the toilet.</span></i></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">9 – Cleaning the tallow</span></b></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0hhhGke_3ZX7sSjApe6tC6jbpGprCpFFe-h435VDu4WdtU9g1vuqXNM_qKTbkUFaBT_yqasmnV2J7JynKftvjtYCzaDFOCwsiVIxWCdT7I83-SFq7XHk0v-zPo987w_4q_3XCwDfOb53/s1600/tallow+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0hhhGke_3ZX7sSjApe6tC6jbpGprCpFFe-h435VDu4WdtU9g1vuqXNM_qKTbkUFaBT_yqasmnV2J7JynKftvjtYCzaDFOCwsiVIxWCdT7I83-SFq7XHk0v-zPo987w_4q_3XCwDfOb53/s400/tallow+9.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://0.tqn.com/d/candleandsoap/1/0/2/A/P1010137.JPG" target="_blank" title="View Full-Size"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span></div>
<div align="center" class="cap" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 6pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Clean the tallow</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">On the bottom side of the
tallow, there will likely be some loose pellet-like particles of fat. Wipe off
as much of this as possible with a paper towel, and wash the rest off under
some cool running water. Again, you don't want too much of this going down your
sink drain.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">10 - Ready to use for soap</span></b></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmduKHoPVTVV-pv6Ga2DmldcUagAl7cGgOjM8fxp5d6pBdEHOOpO-sSLpX0mYqqycCO0X9b2vjJK7gYXE1-nwNoHPFbIdx_3E-jq3BYZPFJ8BTr8O5IjM6U1MDpl46oDmoeWVhlfeG8VV8/s1600/tallow+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmduKHoPVTVV-pv6Ga2DmldcUagAl7cGgOjM8fxp5d6pBdEHOOpO-sSLpX0mYqqycCO0X9b2vjJK7gYXE1-nwNoHPFbIdx_3E-jq3BYZPFJ8BTr8O5IjM6U1MDpl46oDmoeWVhlfeG8VV8/s400/tallow+10.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://0.tqn.com/d/candleandsoap/1/0/1/A/P1010136.JPG" target="_blank" title="View Full-Size"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span></div>
<div align="center" class="cap" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 6pt 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ready to Use Tallow</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Cut the tallow into small
pieces and put it into a plastic freezer bag. Label the bag as to when you made
the tallow. It will keep a year or so in the <b>freezer</b>. As you need it for your recipes, just break off a few
chunks and throw them into your soap pot!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Special Note about the fat you
get:</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Any
animal fat (cow, deer, sheep, buffalo) can be rendered into tallow, but the
quality of the fat you use will determine the quality of the tallow. Many
people swear by only using "kidney suet", the fat that surrounds the
cow's kidneys. It's much harder and whiter and makes really wonderful tallow.
It's also really hard to find anywhere but a specialty butcher shop - and
you're likely to pay a pretty penny for it - whereas normal, everyday beef fat
from the grocery store butcher is likely to be free. Is there a difference?
Probably - to the purists at least - but I haven't noticed a big difference in
the soaps I've made.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">As
you'll see from looking at commercial soap labels now that tallow is a common
oil that people use to create soap recipes. Whether you choose to use animal
oils or not in your soap recipes, understanding the qualities of soap making
oils, and at least knowing how to render your own tallow is a soap making experience
that I think all soap makers should have at least once.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/coldprocesssoapmaking/a/createcprecipe.htm">http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/coldprocesssoapmaking/a/createcprecipe.htm</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/soapmakingoils/tp/qualitiesofsoapmakingoils.htm">http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/soapmakingoils/tp/qualitiesofsoapmakingoils.htm</a>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10947807049794210521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371715864964847591.post-44762102471289613362012-07-16T13:43:00.005+01:002012-07-16T13:43:48.322+01:0040 – Rainwater harvesting<!--[if !mso]>
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<br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">During
my reading time yesterday I came across an article that caught my attention,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://adelsonrafael.blogspot.pt/2012/07/os-paradoxos-que-atormentam-as-zonas.html" target="_blank"><b><i><span lang="PT">Os paradoxos
que atormentam as zonas áridas e semi-áridas em Moçambique</span></i></b></a>.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The paradoxes that afflict arid and semi-arid regions of Mozambique. This
article, written in Portuguese, was published in a blog called <a href="http://adelsonrafael.blogspot.pt/" target="_blank"><b><i>Um outro
Moçambique é possível</i></b></a>.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This
article reminded me of another, I had read a few days before, about an Indian
citizen, <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajendra_Singh" target="_blank">Rajendra Singh</a></i>, who has dedicated his life to the
recovery of water streams that had been dry for years. Some of these streams
had been dry for decades. Rajendra uses <b>traditional methods</b> of <b>rainwater
harvesting</b>. As a result whole <b>communities </b>now have water and new opportunities
for agriculture and raising cattle.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHB9b0PNTL3cxNoG_3gQk2hJWn9-FLw-kLBK2Kyi3zFAVTlpkWu3j6ixpw379l2Qzg_HzaZ5wId-pJtguFtT-BrWmDR-2EGvujpZiAnltaKOQ0HISl_rMk3qO8rRcMD93h4RPdvbNZDJZa/s1600/02_R+Singh+first+johad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHB9b0PNTL3cxNoG_3gQk2hJWn9-FLw-kLBK2Kyi3zFAVTlpkWu3j6ixpw379l2Qzg_HzaZ5wId-pJtguFtT-BrWmDR-2EGvujpZiAnltaKOQ0HISl_rMk3qO8rRcMD93h4RPdvbNZDJZa/s400/02_R+Singh+first+johad.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Rajendra
has revitalized traditional techniques to build <i><a href="http://www.rainwaterharvesting.org/rural/traditional1.htm" target="_blank">johads</a></i>.
<b>Johads </b>are <b><i>earthen check
dams</i></b>. These dams are simple to build and serve two purposes. One is to capture rainwater.
The water retained in the johad will seep into the soil recharging the local
<b>aquifer</b>. Water wells will function better. The other purpose is to provide
water for agriculture and cattle. Local animals and plants also benefit and
nature has recovered.<span> </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHJ1v4iutdO5jW8brWWe3An7P8wzijQ8y5QGuUnSmCGjrhfX9tvgG2XdI3szNQDNxo0GqasDQ14D_l3a8flxTSlvt-iBn22W54NByldaDlum_8qfCXVSa1Xn5BAAXvY6iP5HO9bpcUlKF/s1600/Johad+Bhaonta-Kolyal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHJ1v4iutdO5jW8brWWe3An7P8wzijQ8y5QGuUnSmCGjrhfX9tvgG2XdI3szNQDNxo0GqasDQ14D_l3a8flxTSlvt-iBn22W54NByldaDlum_8qfCXVSa1Xn5BAAXvY6iP5HO9bpcUlKF/s400/Johad+Bhaonta-Kolyal.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
did a quick search on the Internet using the word <b><i>johad</i></b> and the English
equivalent, <b><i>earthen check dams</i></b>. <span> </span>Among the many articles and documents
available on this topic I found these two that can be downloaded using these
links:</span></div>
<ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://gwadi.org/sites/gwadi.org/files/CaseAlwar2.pdf" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US">http://gwadi.org/sites/gwadi.org/files/CaseAlwar2.pdf
</span></a></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/construc/stormwater/SC-04.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/construc/stormwater/SC-04.pdf </a></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">There are many
more. It is a well known technique for rainwater harvesting and storm water
control. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I
wonder how much of this knowledge can be used to recover land across our World.
Land that has become arid or semi-arid and unsuitable for agriculture due to all
sorts of desertification processes.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10947807049794210521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371715864964847591.post-77889496015752074132012-07-14T17:03:00.002+01:002012-07-31T14:24:05.833+01:0011a – Another idea for a social center<br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This
is another idea for a <b>social center</b>,
a <b>health center</b> or a small <b>school</b>. Its design is based on straight
lines making it suitable to be built with adobe bricks or compacted earth
blocks (CEBs).</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXfbY8CRNe2wYjhzQ_SWiv-sR0mOwE_1okKSUzmIOQ0D8PrCSk9KwlDiF9ORnwo99UTqCAXJ9jw278sFatD8y7tnYcnGsGRfR349fqAYz64b3tpes0tlhkF_EqnHpv2DMzh4N_smanWL9/s1600/Square+hut+2aa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRXfbY8CRNe2wYjhzQ_SWiv-sR0mOwE_1okKSUzmIOQ0D8PrCSk9KwlDiF9ORnwo99UTqCAXJ9jw278sFatD8y7tnYcnGsGRfR349fqAYz64b3tpes0tlhkF_EqnHpv2DMzh4N_smanWL9/s400/Square+hut+2aa.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b> </span></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5aDwS18U24MvDw7d9HbomulLUo-IZTFPMa7sNwvVurWXIOiBpPZ1MdR3EYp6Lwbv7THAxMbJ-iKQR7LXd-IMbfsyAzDSOm_Fa0Pc5_-AZ6rRy269T0ZJPJt2dHzYnyB2zocU5J4VDr5k/s1600/Square+hut+2aa.jpg"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Four
(4) individual buildings surround a central <b>patio.</b> This are can be closed off with <b>gates</b> or safety <b>fences</b>,
making the whole complex very safe. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijV7Le6nuczEDgte0f4ju4wSRM-pamUScAWToBqAsXtclQ4_ubzn_o6IJrZAx3c6zVEmd-KXhGbZ0GCY86oSPuL-DNETLLUHMFPvxnR1Bwz37v4vEwMpnk2zrl-NS4yQTCafHF9-Ron1uY/s1600/Square+hut+2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijV7Le6nuczEDgte0f4ju4wSRM-pamUScAWToBqAsXtclQ4_ubzn_o6IJrZAx3c6zVEmd-KXhGbZ0GCY86oSPuL-DNETLLUHMFPvxnR1Bwz37v4vEwMpnk2zrl-NS4yQTCafHF9-Ron1uY/s400/Square+hut+2a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJgVwv10W8NIkyHiI_mbgo7ApRaMXUn49HxndRy4p54tChlFCpjyAnF-exHKCscUZ8UbHMcxRHdcvVlueUvSCTsgB3w9W6OAHTF3yU9tbl7Dcb31yocOvnPfpm4jos8oiWdTur5kthDk/s1600/Topologia+quadrada.png"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
central <b>patio </b>can be covered with an open <b>roof </b>structure for shade and
protection from the rain. People moving from one room to another do not have to
feel exposed to the weather. A <b>tree </b>in the middle of the patio can provide
additional shade. This creates a cooling effect for the whole complex.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalgAS6ApMux4bvnFcsEunCr-HqAbV-EVMFi7pPO4c-XZO6Fapavntnybpvl3IFfkfTVO_eEwaO7EvE4arp3_z555axazBn_i8zupqfINcLQ-2Nmo-mm0dEacaro7sp5nll_MiOCNx4XQw/s1600/Topologia+quadrada.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalgAS6ApMux4bvnFcsEunCr-HqAbV-EVMFi7pPO4c-XZO6Fapavntnybpvl3IFfkfTVO_eEwaO7EvE4arp3_z555axazBn_i8zupqfINcLQ-2Nmo-mm0dEacaro7sp5nll_MiOCNx4XQw/s400/Topologia+quadrada.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">There
is more detail about this model at the <a href="http://mestissagens.blogspot.pt/2011/08/outra-ideia.html"><span lang="EN-US">mestiçagens</span></a> blog. You may also download
this model from <a href="http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=eb8ad14bc065f833d6c9e92bf2480500&ct=mdrm&prevstart=0" target="_blank">Google 3D Warehouse</a> with the <a href="http://sketchup.google.com/download/" target="_blank">Google SketchUp</a>, which is free
and easy to use.</span></div>administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10947807049794210521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371715864964847591.post-68896844753697053872012-07-14T16:39:00.002+01:002012-07-31T14:23:50.700+01:0011 – An idea for a social center<br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Traditional</b> building techniques are
well suited for residential buildings but can be very well applied to other
buildings.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeGO0O6X9QuG7RQ7cInfhrIizLqwrA7Wf7t3TLWu21ABYcWLoISxa6JOBj1E0r0TwdhmNRtWqS-pMV8tnVwaFdbAiwFKpUmZLxR18vVAJb7KaR0pa2i2J5HbvSxtXBp-kEkd5E1SNP2nU/s1600/6a+all+huts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeGO0O6X9QuG7RQ7cInfhrIizLqwrA7Wf7t3TLWu21ABYcWLoISxa6JOBj1E0r0TwdhmNRtWqS-pMV8tnVwaFdbAiwFKpUmZLxR18vVAJb7KaR0pa2i2J5HbvSxtXBp-kEkd5E1SNP2nU/s400/6a+all+huts.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A
<b>social center</b>, a <b>health center</b>, a small <b>school</b>, with multiple interior spaces
can be built with the same materials and using the same techniques we use for a
traditional dwelling, a rural dwelling. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianK10edjgbdMhVwKQ2CaaTnoTXYv2wvSLFAzBqRRMqjm3tr_RqzLeVXJ0ySV-Nsxp46VHDrePwZvtcmrz4l7W9OuaMrJG9n6xmADa-Fwj0TmoIJdsEqbioi8l2jNRWPHa6qJKfoLZ2Z-_/s1600/5a+fifth+hut+no+roof+w+fence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianK10edjgbdMhVwKQ2CaaTnoTXYv2wvSLFAzBqRRMqjm3tr_RqzLeVXJ0ySV-Nsxp46VHDrePwZvtcmrz4l7W9OuaMrJG9n6xmADa-Fwj0TmoIJdsEqbioi8l2jNRWPHa6qJKfoLZ2Z-_/s400/5a+fifth+hut+no+roof+w+fence.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4ueKEoqN1nFeod_7XXeKHGapo5ZJPE-RxQGy1SvyKLpnnOut9fTOvuKsnnOlt_Di09FuWJraN648f7Q7NoFkqWolzLKP8Mw_N89R0S5yA62-gFdEz5fDjvhgXeo3RRfj23JSIotEtys/s1600/5a+fifth+hut+no+roof+w+fence.jpg"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
dimensions can be decided depending on the local needs, according to the
available materials, or depending on the building skills or needs of each
community.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
example presented here was constructed as a small scale model and published in <a href="http://mestissagens.blogspot.pt/2011/08/uma-ideia.html" target="_blank">mestiçages</a>,
is only an idea, only a model.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This
model is available at <a href="http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=cb130d0e78fe2c99e99fa2c14724af74&prevstart=0" target="_blank">Google 3D Warehouse</a> and may be freely used.</span></div>administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10947807049794210521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371715864964847591.post-13932438222543552072012-07-14T16:22:00.004+01:002012-07-14T16:24:10.082+01:0004c – More on natural ventilation<br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">There
is an interesting article on natural ventilation in residential dwellings
published in <a href="http://mestissagens.blogspot.pt/2011/08/aquela-outra-ideia.html" target="_blank">mestiçagens</a>, a Portuguese language blog.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
contents are similar to what has already been published here but it may still
be of interest.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And
so, here is the <a href="http://mestissagens.blogspot.pt/2011/08/aquela-outra-ideia.html" target="_blank">reference</a>. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10947807049794210521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371715864964847591.post-27305335839138793012012-07-14T16:14:00.003+01:002012-07-14T16:14:55.781+01:0021a – More about adobe and rammed earth<!--[if !mso]>
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<br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://ambiente.hsw.uol.com.br/adobe6.htm" target="_blank">Rammed earth</a>
is one construction technique that is experiencing a healthy rebirth all over the world.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-3IEl8F-vNiRoBxmd0jwCXlw7_okVXjOxX10uIDKOTUmiAjIUkhli20ioDbhSa-LIjIaLevEAdW94zZQ-2PeAVoKKV9geb-fFl5pqlF_nsgL202uq38mOm4F1d9yrVKRq_Us891HNYEp/s1600/rammed+earth.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-3IEl8F-vNiRoBxmd0jwCXlw7_okVXjOxX10uIDKOTUmiAjIUkhli20ioDbhSa-LIjIaLevEAdW94zZQ-2PeAVoKKV9geb-fFl5pqlF_nsgL202uq38mOm4F1d9yrVKRq_Us891HNYEp/s400/rammed+earth.GIF" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3m9ZWYsfYwzQz3zKkuwRHjlQPJI1N7Ss93TZGpZW3St0bgbFdBv9W5FbACOR2iAUO5KVj3JgZSwrO_MPmKFLDxRNP8LDJqGT7qnATnhPsvIpaOV16VQQZcfoG56cH1uzK1DcO0EBgnGE/s1600/adobe-taipa-pilao-b.jpg"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Another
well known construction technique, <a href="http://ambiente.hsw.uol.com.br/adobe5.htm" target="_blank">wattle and daub</a>,
has been used in the construction of low cost dwellings as well as not so low-cost buildings in many parts of the world. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhym6j412FZAH3OhqxcDJPJWYyiV2RTCMzlRjG0HrQ3h8EaBDlMHifDZGbzgnjrcNxSCRLbfyyIvmqmwzRwwJn0k3IGiuEwObJog8ezGK7pHUW3DFSSIbVb9hr26SBc86w21Um1NRAu72lW/s1600/Wattle+and+daub+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhym6j412FZAH3OhqxcDJPJWYyiV2RTCMzlRjG0HrQ3h8EaBDlMHifDZGbzgnjrcNxSCRLbfyyIvmqmwzRwwJn0k3IGiuEwObJog8ezGK7pHUW3DFSSIbVb9hr26SBc86w21Um1NRAu72lW/s1600/Wattle+and+daub+1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMcMf9bIbVTl8U3mMMkoLHDGDNbjcoWZzyV66eeWLUkKVujawX_zeuy4VCEqlNdk3gkWiAdEwqditj3tXG9mXERQmAGda2kreAgbU72ZydeyTS04Bh2jm6W3FuW5Hk_olMDxS-6fqSkMY/s1600/adobe-taipa-mao-c.jpg"><span style="text-decoration: none;"></span></a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In
an article I published in my <a href="http://mestissagens.blogspot.pt/2011/08/aquela-outra-ideia-2.html" target="_blank">mestiçagens</a> blog about a year ago I mention a couple of
Internet sites that, even though written in Portuguese, describe very clearly
this technique. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">One
of these sites, <a href="http://kdcs.wordpress.com/2009/07/29/fabricando-tijolos-de-adobe/" target="_blank">Chácara da Boa Vista</a>, describes the manufacture of adobe
bricks. In the other site, <a href="http://ambiente.hsw.uol.com.br/adobe6.htm" target="_blank">howstuffworks</a>, Fernando Bussoloti describes the rammed
earth technique as well as other nature friendly construction methods and
techniques.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10947807049794210521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371715864964847591.post-33985153304680364482012-07-03T13:29:00.000+01:002012-07-03T13:41:54.083+01:0022a - The manual CETA-RAM CEB press<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">It is not easy to find documentation about <b>compressed earth block presses</b>, manual or mechanical, but this one is a gem. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEbxUiiE8ww2Pwx_EOV_SACNbh_lxnBePJ8CHovD51tRwYEVB4cHyPKRoxl0fCjYRDOsVeqJvciEHV7bbMX0y_05wlw-kxZOIoK8o9H_ji2n1DULibJNaDY_IN5HjeBLtdFflSALMJk-E/s1600/CETA-RAM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEbxUiiE8ww2Pwx_EOV_SACNbh_lxnBePJ8CHovD51tRwYEVB4cHyPKRoxl0fCjYRDOsVeqJvciEHV7bbMX0y_05wlw-kxZOIoK8o9H_ji2n1DULibJNaDY_IN5HjeBLtdFflSALMJk-E/s400/CETA-RAM.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This is the <b>CETA-RAM</b> block press</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Full documentation with drawings can be found at the following link:</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/35985762/The%20CETA%20RAM%20Block%20Press.pdf" target="_blank">http://dl.dropbox.com/u/<wbr></wbr>35985762/The%20CETA%20RAM%<wbr></wbr>20Block%20Press.pdf</a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">If for some reason you find that the link does not work, let me know. I have a copy of the <b><i>pdf</i></b> document I can send you.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10947807049794210521noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371715864964847591.post-29422069799528223712012-06-30T13:57:00.000+01:002012-07-01T10:50:41.557+01:0063a – Value chains – another example, soap<br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Let
us explore another <b>value chain</b>
related to the manufacture of soap. The theme sounds a bit simplistic but I
think it can be of value to our rural communities. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Soap
is made out of one or more <b>oils</b> or <b>fats</b> mixed with an <b>alkaline</b> chemical such as <b>lye</b>,
also known as <b>caustic soda</b>. These
oils and fats can be of <b>animal</b> or <b>vegetable</b> origin. And <b>lye</b> can be obtained from hardwood <b>ashes</b> when properly treated with <b>rainwater</b>.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">All
these ingredients can be obtained in our rural communities and the resulting <b>soap</b> can be sold in all sorts of market
places. <b>Homemade soap</b> is highly
valued by many people. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">An
example of a <b>value chain</b> related to
the manufacture of <b>homemade soap</b>
could be like this:</span></div>
<ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">someone raises <b>cattle</b>, produces and sells <b>animal waste </b>to farmers</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">this person sells <b>cattle</b> to the local <b>slaughterhouse</b></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">the butcher buys <b>carcasses</b> and sells <b>meat</b> </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">the butcher has a lot
of excess <b>animal fat</b> that
people do not want</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">a local person collects
this <b>animal fat</b> to make <b>tallow</b></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">the local baker uses <b>firewood</b> to bake bread</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">someone collects the <b>ashes</b> from the baker and other
places</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">these <b>ashes</b> are used in the community
latrines</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">with <b>rainwater</b> and <b>ashes</b> this person also makes <b>lye</b></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">someone uses <b>tallow</b> and <b>lye</b> to make homemade <b>soap</b></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">this person sells <b>soap</b> in the community and at the <b>city market</b></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Here
we have a value chain, a sequence of activities that make use of <b>existing resources</b>, such as rainwater,
ashes and tallow, to develop a <b>new
product</b>, homemade soap, which in turn provides <b>work</b> for one or more people. This new product for this community,
soap, <b>has value</b>. It has value to be <b>bartered</b> for other products and <b>has value</b> to generate <b>monetary income</b> when it is sold to
other communities or at the nearby city <b>market</b>. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In
addition, certain local <b>resources</b>
had no value or very limited value in the community, such as the case of ashes
and unwanted animal fat, but now <b>gained
value</b> for the local <b>soap maker</b>.
Homemade soap is very valued by many people because it does not contain <b>unwanted additives</b> as is often the case
with industrially manufactured soap.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Some
of these activities may be performed by the same person in one community and by
different people in another community. <b>Each
individual</b> and <b>each community</b>
will <b>pick and choose</b> what will make
sense. Each one will choose what activities will be performed by one or more
people. In some cases some <b>experimentation</b>
will be necessary to find out what makes sense. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">It
is very important to know what a community <b>needs</b>
and <b>consumes</b> because that is what
will sell. In some situations we may feel inclined to make what we know how to
make, but that may not be what the community, the marketplace, needs or wants.
Soap is always needed although there is already soap in the marketplace. But if
this <b>homemade soap</b> is better, if it
smells better, if it does not irritate the skin or if it will make the skin
softer, this homemade soap will sell better than the commercially available
soap. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The
price of the homemade soap is very important so it can <b>compete</b> with the commercially available soap. The price has to <b>cover the cost</b> of the raw materials,
the manufacturing costs, and the distribution costs in order to generate
profit. These costs will vary from community to community and from situation to
situation. But with such low raw materials costs there is a lot of opportunity
for doing business at a profit. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A
<b>value chain</b> is the sequence of <b>various activities</b> for the <b>benefit</b> of <b>various participants</b>.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In
this series of <i>blogs</i> we will explore
various <b>manufacturing processes</b> for
lye, for tallow and for the manufacture of homemade <b>soap</b>. We are going to explore various recipes for making soap not
only with <b>animal fats</b> but also <b>vegetable oils</b> such as peanuts,
avocado, cashew, coconut and other plants that grow in our climate.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10947807049794210521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371715864964847591.post-63242870103178159552012-06-24T16:24:00.002+01:002012-07-01T10:48:37.647+01:0064 – Value chains – how they work<br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Let
us now look at how a <b>value chain</b> actually works. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A
value chain is based on <b>market demand</b>.
It is based on market demand at <b>each
level</b> of the chain. Market demand is based on people <b>willing to buy</b> a product at a <b>given
price</b>. We may have a good product but it may be too expensive, or nobody is
willing to buy it because there is no need for it. Or there may be <b>too many people</b> already <b>selling</b> similar products or the same
product. Or it may not be the right <b>time
of the year</b> for that kind of product. All these <b>factors</b> influence market demand. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Let us take our
example of the peanut products <b>value chain </b>as outlined before:</span></div>
<ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">someone grows <b>peanuts
</b>and sells for <b>food</b></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">someone buys some of
the <b>peanuts </b>and makes <b>cooking oil</b></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">someone sells cooking
oil <b>locally</b></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">someone sells cooking
oil at the <b>city market</b> </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">someone collects <b>ash
</b>from fireplaces</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">someone buys <b>cooking
oil</b> and <b>ash </b>and sells <b>soap</b></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;">someone buys the <b>soap</b> and runs a <b>clothes washing
business</b> </span></li>
</ul>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Let
us take peanuts as they come out of the ground. There may be a market demand
for <b>raw peanuts</b>. And another market
demand for <b>cooked peanuts</b> or for <b>roasted peanuts</b>. People who buy raw or
roasted peanuts may be different people. And the demand may not be the same
every month.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">A
value chain is formed by a sequence of <b>activities</b>.
In this case the activities are <b>selling</b>
and <b>buying</b> <b>peanuts</b> that provide <b>revenue</b>
to the producer. But the activity may be variable or temporary and in this case
the producer does not have a <b>dependable</b>
source of income.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In
large cities there may be a large demand for peanuts, but in a small community
the demand may be small and the producer may need to plant very few peanuts or
find buyers from other communities. Finding buyers requires <b>knowing</b> <b>people</b>. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And
so an important activity for the producer is to <b>find</b> and <b>maintain</b> <b>reliable</b> <b>buyers</b>.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Another
important activity is to produce <b>good
quality</b> peanuts and <b>on time</b> for
the market.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We
want value chains that are <b>dependable</b>.
We need to have a <b>marketplace</b> for
our product and we need to know the <b>marketplace</b>
for our product. And we want to create <b>associations</b>
with other <b>producers</b> or with <b>buyers</b> who can help us and on whom we
can depend.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In
a small community the producer may have to plant peanuts and other produce
because the <b>local demand will be limited</b>.
But this can be a <b>good thing</b>. The
farmer will then plant some peanuts, some potatoes, some corn, some other crop,
and <b>with all these products</b> provide,
on a regular basis, the community with the produce it needs.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In
small communities a farmer may not be able to produce just one crop. The farmer
may have to be <b>good at many things</b>.</span></div>administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10947807049794210521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371715864964847591.post-52814732604225265832012-06-23T18:38:00.004+01:002012-07-01T10:47:07.709+01:0063 - Value chains - examples<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Let us look at some more examples of <b>value chains</b> that can be developed in our rural agricultural communities. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Generically speaking a <b>value chain</b> should have as many <b>activities </b>as there are <b>specific skills</b> or <b>capabilities </b>in a community. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Another way of looking at it is - <i>where can I best make use of my time and my skills? </i>I may be able to do many different things but all these things may <b>not be a good use of my time</b>. Someone may be able to <b>do them better</b> than I can or at a <b>lower cost</b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">It will be different for each community and for each situation.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">One <b>value chain</b> example could be:</span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">someone who raises cattle and produces <b>manure</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">a <b>farmer </b>who specializes and produces <b>seeds</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">a <b>farmer </b>who buys <b>seeds </b>and <b>manure </b>and sells <b>grain</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">someone who grinds the grain and makes <b>flour </b>and <b>bread</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">someone who takes flour and bread to sell at the <b>city market</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">someone who buys <b>farming tools</b> at the <b>city market</b> and sells to the farmers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">a farmer who <b>teaches </b>farming to children at the local <b>school</b></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Another <b>value chain </b>could be:<b><br /></b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">someone grows <b>peanuts </b>and sells for <b>food</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">someone buys some of the <b>peanuts </b>and makes <b>cooking oil</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">someone sells cooking oil at the <b>city market</b> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">someone collects <b>ash </b>from fireplaces</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">someone buys <b>cooking oil</b> and <b>ash </b>and sells <b>soap</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">someone buys the soap and runs a <b>clothes washing business</b> </span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">We could go on and on. Some activities may make sense in</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> some communities but not in others. <b>Each community will know</b> what will work and what will not work. In many cases one needs to <b>experiment</b>. Rural and agricultural communities have an <b>advantage </b>- many of the products needed are <b>readily</b> <b>available</b>. This is not the case in cities or even in larger communities.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The following articles have a number of examples. Look them up if you have the chance: </span></div>
<ul>
<li style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://archiv.rural-development.de/fileadmin/rural-development/volltexte/2005/05/ELR_dt_26-28.pdf" target="_blank">Promoting agricultural value chains</a></span></li>
<li style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.fao.org/docrep/013/i2008e/i2008e04.pdf" target="_blank">Agricultural value chain development</a></span></li>
<li style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.uneca.org/era2009/chap5.pdf" target="_blank">Regional value chains in Africa</a></span></li>
<li style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.econstor.eu/dspace/bitstream/10419/47821/1/608405361.pdf" target="_blank">Upgrading in agricultural value chains</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.cggc.duke.edu/pdfs/Agricultural-Value-Chains-in-the-Mexicali-Valley-of-Mexico_9-15-2010.pdf" target="_blank">Agricultural value chains in Mexico</a> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span>administrator IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07539346858223754228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371715864964847591.post-25558678225600775412012-06-23T18:06:00.003+01:002012-07-01T10:45:56.129+01:0062 - Value chains from scratch<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In general <b>value chains</b> do not exist in small communities, in the agricultural communities in remote areas of our country. And if a <b>value chain</b> exists it is most likely small, not very strong, and does not support the whole community.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">There may be a <b>small store</b> where the <b>farmer </b>can buy <b>seeds </b>and <b>fertilizer</b>. And this store is probably the same one where the farmer sells its product. This store may provide some services but not all or not enough.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In small communities this creates a situation of <b>dependency </b>which is not good in the long run and is very vulnerable to <b>price fluctuations</b>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">If only a small community could produce <b>more </b>of the things that it needs then its dependency in the small store will be reduced and the <b>community </b>will be <b>stronger </b>because of that.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Let us look at an <b>example</b>. A farmer may sell beans to the store and buy seeds and fertilizer from the store and maybe this will be fine. But where will the community buy <b>clothes</b>, or <b>cooking oil</b>, or <b>soap</b>, or <b>meat</b>, or <b>vegetables</b>? Most likely from the same store which will only increase its dependency and its vulnerability to changes in prices and availability of any of the products. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">But if someone plants <b>peanuts </b>and starts making <b>cooking oil </b>from these peanuts then the community will be less dependent on the store and someone will now have a new <b>activity </b>where money can be made. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And if someone gets some of the <b>cooking oil </b>uses <b>ash </b>from the cooking fires and makes <b>soap then </b>that person now has another new money making <b>activity </b>and the community will become less dependent on the local store. That person can actually <b>sell </b>some of the soap to the store.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In this small example where someone plants <b>peanuts </b>for <b>food </b>but also for <b>cooking oil</b> which will be used for cooking but some will also be used to make <b>soap</b>. Three people now created a <b>value chain</b> to which we can add someone who will go once a week to the <b>city market</b> and <b>sell </b>some of the peanuts, the cooking oil and the soap that the community does not need for itself. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">There are many <b>value chains</b> in an <b>agricultural community</b>. Some we already use but some can be <b>developed</b>. The result will be beneficial to all in that hard working community.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Let us look at some more <b>value chains</b> in the upcoming blogs. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>administrator IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07539346858223754228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371715864964847591.post-23305584882282650542012-06-23T17:36:00.004+01:002012-07-01T10:44:18.506+01:0061 - Value chains<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">What is a <b>value chain</b>? A value chain is a <b>sequence of activities</b> or <b>services</b> related to some product or service that are necessary or valuable for the profitable marketing of that product or service.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Let us use an example. Let us say we are planting <b>beans </b>for sale. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">To produce beans we need <b>tools</b>, we need <b>seeds</b>, we need <b>water</b>, <b>fertilizer</b>, we need <b>sacs</b>, a <b>storage </b>place, we need <b>buyers</b>, we must <b>transport </b>the beans to the buyer, we need a <b>bank </b>where we can borrow money and we need a <b>bank account</b> where we can save the money from the sale of the beans. And we probably need a few more things. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Each and everyone of us could try to provide all these things. And in some cases it may be possible, but when we are trying to grow seeds we may not be able to leave and take our product to the market. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">At some point we will find that it is better if we provide for some of our own needs and buy the other needs from someone else. For these services we pay someone. And this forms a <b>value chain</b>.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">What one person sells another will buy. A service that I need will be provided by someone else. This <b>sequence </b>of <b>activities </b>and <b>services </b>creates <b>opportunities </b>for people to make money. This <b>sequence </b>is the <b>value chain</b>.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Most of us know this. But when we decide to produce something, like the beans in our example, it is important to understand the <b>value chain</b> that will support our work.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">If we do not have tools, if we do not have a place where we can buy our tools, or our seeds, or our fertilizer, and if we do not have buyers for our beans our work will not be properly rewarded.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In communities where there is an <b>active </b>and well <b>established market place</b> most of these services are available and we only have to find someone who will do this or that specific job.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">But in communities where there is no market place, like in most rural areas of our countries, the community needs to <b>develop </b>its <b>value chain</b>.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">So, in a small community, an <b>agricultural community</b>, we need to be smarter. We need to know what each person can <b>produce </b>and that <b>can be sold </b>in the community, and we need to know what <b>we can sell outside </b>our community.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Each community needs to figure out what <b>its own value chain</b> needs to be.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">We will look at this in another blog.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>administrator IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07539346858223754228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371715864964847591.post-76503979629738311592012-06-05T14:46:00.000+01:002012-07-01T10:43:20.177+01:0050 – A kanga backpack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Kanga or <b>khanga</b>.
We all know kanga cloth. It is a piece of cloth with lots of uses. It is
colorful and always goes well with any other color. These kanga cloths are
beautiful.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Today we are going to use kanga
cloth to make a simple <b>backpack</b> that
can be used by children, young people, adults and even our older people. Why
not? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">These backpacks can be made
by almost anyone with some basic sewing skills. These backpacks can be sold in
the market or in shops. They are very easy to make and do not use a lot of
material.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-60cyaqmAsDx3fdCXrufGnk8o__xrbUqHWbLzbnBy1IWmJIjdrwxRz-q1x9bxtluA9RdHm9mOh6vZKPSonPF5kYtckFI7aG7Tuff0ESjqE8-Zi8QRZ2eIpnsabSKwet3wKU8ehyFSD_Iu/s1600/DSCN1457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-60cyaqmAsDx3fdCXrufGnk8o__xrbUqHWbLzbnBy1IWmJIjdrwxRz-q1x9bxtluA9RdHm9mOh6vZKPSonPF5kYtckFI7aG7Tuff0ESjqE8-Zi8QRZ2eIpnsabSKwet3wKU8ehyFSD_Iu/s400/DSCN1457.jpg" width="310" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">First, we cut a <b>rectangle</b> of kanga cloth with about
80cm by 30cm. When cutting this rectangle we can follow the design on the cloth
or not. This piece of cloth will be for the body of the backpack.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6SVQ6e7mlE79n2nAzNuAKHMxOQ-CoDfBgdVuFWhoU9hNEmjHTFZGr3zLiwRAbnAJNh8NYDq3XKvi8_0Ui0HW4-AOv3d_gnNntdaCxxZAvKlXGcXsX4iIyYvE_mQjB4c1987LA2L4D8q2/s1600/DSCN1436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6SVQ6e7mlE79n2nAzNuAKHMxOQ-CoDfBgdVuFWhoU9hNEmjHTFZGr3zLiwRAbnAJNh8NYDq3XKvi8_0Ui0HW4-AOv3d_gnNntdaCxxZAvKlXGcXsX4iIyYvE_mQjB4c1987LA2L4D8q2/s400/DSCN1436.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Now we cut two <b>small pieces</b> of cloth. These can be of the
same cloth or of a different cloth, like some remnants from some other sewing job.
These pieces are about 12cm by 8cm and will be used to make the <b>small loops</b> on each side of the
backpack where the shoulder straps will be tied.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_BZMVGKiOmQ5P5r7MDjFBY9l9aVIUfVBMqkd2S88v6n_OJCXbhVdn-0QgUqFV0byC9GitvpYbpDtio_1gTwx5brd3hr1quFbrlJ5HgdYWspIsw-QLhPjgEqHFolAubjtztdPCsFYsnw7/s1600/DSCN1435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_BZMVGKiOmQ5P5r7MDjFBY9l9aVIUfVBMqkd2S88v6n_OJCXbhVdn-0QgUqFV0byC9GitvpYbpDtio_1gTwx5brd3hr1quFbrlJ5HgdYWspIsw-QLhPjgEqHFolAubjtztdPCsFYsnw7/s400/DSCN1435.jpg" width="278" /></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Finally we cut two pieces of
<b>chord</b>, or thin soft rope, with a
length of about 150cm each. These pieces of chord will be used to make the <b>shoulder straps</b> of our backpack. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlHN9Ib6d2838WexYo680G6w850RL9BEBB5FY0Pe_p3Bk-ZKQNAQdlO-065CidYG7MeNUyiFnYaar63_9R2myandcPzlUdEVYqMY4a_T_G7NT74eRgJHAw6t8C_ZEJy2Zl2ZuPicrXGQ7/s1600/DSCN1442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAlHN9Ib6d2838WexYo680G6w850RL9BEBB5FY0Pe_p3Bk-ZKQNAQdlO-065CidYG7MeNUyiFnYaar63_9R2myandcPzlUdEVYqMY4a_T_G7NT74eRgJHAw6t8C_ZEJy2Zl2ZuPicrXGQ7/s320/DSCN1442.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">That
is it. This is all we need. We can now start sewing all the pieces
together.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We will start with the small
<b>loops</b>. These are a bit narrower in
the middle and a bit wider at the two ends. This way the shoulder straps will
move easier and the loops will have more support from the stitches that fix
them to the backpack bag.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3-M2bkHHxcyvZZyKw2hRJCdgrY8gp1Y887FKcsDY56OFlX55UUVcbaAof44VJro6kKjPLPdcM7TTqrss6t1sI2TnL1m5zaCIxMHqATTHYSwgCodQQvhrV4dNpjtwgVZxsucF075FWWKH/s1600/DSCN1444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3-M2bkHHxcyvZZyKw2hRJCdgrY8gp1Y887FKcsDY56OFlX55UUVcbaAof44VJro6kKjPLPdcM7TTqrss6t1sI2TnL1m5zaCIxMHqATTHYSwgCodQQvhrV4dNpjtwgVZxsucF075FWWKH/s320/DSCN1444.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4o8bJr3nT6f427DzHyQxI66xbIELMEXg9uc5OVCJ6R2VRI6GmJJwx9-WLPxqsRuKW-_NSeZNnSRVCWDXw2Na_qAeOFKynudwH1v3rYwq_zT8Jm9af1J-zhDLTYY7ObjngYAHKWKRpPPSB/s1600/DSCN1445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4o8bJr3nT6f427DzHyQxI66xbIELMEXg9uc5OVCJ6R2VRI6GmJJwx9-WLPxqsRuKW-_NSeZNnSRVCWDXw2Na_qAeOFKynudwH1v3rYwq_zT8Jm9af1J-zhDLTYY7ObjngYAHKWKRpPPSB/s320/DSCN1445.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">After sewing as shown by the
temporary white stitches we turn these <b>loops</b>
right side out leaving the <b>hems</b> on
the inside.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We fold the large piece of
cloth in a half and we fix these loops to the bottom edges of the bag, one on
each side of the bottom of the bag.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwRIReOT3f-FNfluuLR_pg4GUGmNWYvUW9Klnrvjj0C9-A7JMXJDIhyphenhyphen2eyZz7zI-nqs0QidmJOsA1JS0KcSBGh43XCq46L25JqDMTR4q2yjY7tH3TuS-O_CAzWvJoaHikQXh7dGV1bbLEM/s1600/DSCN1446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwRIReOT3f-FNfluuLR_pg4GUGmNWYvUW9Klnrvjj0C9-A7JMXJDIhyphenhyphen2eyZz7zI-nqs0QidmJOsA1JS0KcSBGh43XCq46L25JqDMTR4q2yjY7tH3TuS-O_CAzWvJoaHikQXh7dGV1bbLEM/s320/DSCN1446.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyc5ejEEn_89R20tlNkJDVqiP_xmRxs-p2GOzfv0sTe7AyNCpouEe90wdxiMPec9vwvuQuOrFA67XIJAP8qRabsuxjTk5q0Ghl-FhNSlg8FlrfY-UPOcpb4azzN4KHUp00qDLCYiAfF_WO/s1600/DSCN1448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyc5ejEEn_89R20tlNkJDVqiP_xmRxs-p2GOzfv0sTe7AyNCpouEe90wdxiMPec9vwvuQuOrFA67XIJAP8qRabsuxjTk5q0Ghl-FhNSlg8FlrfY-UPOcpb4azzN4KHUp00qDLCYiAfF_WO/s320/DSCN1448.jpg" width="227" /></a> <br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Now we can sew both edges of
the backpack bag all the way but not quite to the top. We need to leave some
space to form the <b>hems</b> at the top of
the backpack. These
hems will receive the shoulder strap chords.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJWsQM-4LsmsIvU8_X7lwV-N4hDfnLZ9pY1d3fexy4F_zU4-Ry0BrgWRRn3L2pHIJcTB0z2MARb64GwLFJhX8e8xtxkw-6k9CP_jObqE7licUlx5Ixpm__TGhi_DQmbfT31PPCGsr4eOB/s1600/DSCN1450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJWsQM-4LsmsIvU8_X7lwV-N4hDfnLZ9pY1d3fexy4F_zU4-Ry0BrgWRRn3L2pHIJcTB0z2MARb64GwLFJhX8e8xtxkw-6k9CP_jObqE7licUlx5Ixpm__TGhi_DQmbfT31PPCGsr4eOB/s400/DSCN1450.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Once finished, these hems
should look like this:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wk4R9ruPfEzAWJv1gk040jmxBWKBgk433uWGc07oQLgrF5fPXLWGHYeqykoH2922Jzs2_NJFoE98LU4gj7I0hC9w62bxM8y5UDpaNIruL5F9Sx1mQSbvznNvU51BBMpke0ZPJL-VaXQB/s1600/DSCN1451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wk4R9ruPfEzAWJv1gk040jmxBWKBgk433uWGc07oQLgrF5fPXLWGHYeqykoH2922Jzs2_NJFoE98LU4gj7I0hC9w62bxM8y5UDpaNIruL5F9Sx1mQSbvznNvU51BBMpke0ZPJL-VaXQB/s400/DSCN1451.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And the bag of the backpack
is finished! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUY5pv2BUKBLXg37ngpj2IV5WHfSFZjQ6mQmKEFziF8rc8ecejSWPYaMM9dOXf9cOrY-1vPXRSc-4toiJStF08TA6yxyAnGEfrGQY8pIE5gRL38E4kaXvTBJUSKGLhEUmyDBHl3zzoDKtn/s1600/DSCN1452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUY5pv2BUKBLXg37ngpj2IV5WHfSFZjQ6mQmKEFziF8rc8ecejSWPYaMM9dOXf9cOrY-1vPXRSc-4toiJStF08TA6yxyAnGEfrGQY8pIE5gRL38E4kaXvTBJUSKGLhEUmyDBHl3zzoDKtn/s400/DSCN1452.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">We turn the bag inside out
and thread the chords for the shoulder straps.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Like in the picture, these
chords for the shoulder straps should be <b>threaded
one on each side</b>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmZSSQ1IMJKzyFbvJ3hMVSQe-2WD-sPqXFYQPGFpPAOxTcxxp9uNqCk8YPMruCLTZHU2-IKZXY6kVg4HhMM5oJuWasV9ueidGd-LK7kdYJ-ivF7wn0eBcJA-_2bn99HgDsTQtXvynaSIS/s1600/DSCN1453a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmZSSQ1IMJKzyFbvJ3hMVSQe-2WD-sPqXFYQPGFpPAOxTcxxp9uNqCk8YPMruCLTZHU2-IKZXY6kVg4HhMM5oJuWasV9ueidGd-LK7kdYJ-ivF7wn0eBcJA-_2bn99HgDsTQtXvynaSIS/s400/DSCN1453a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The end result is like this:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIpcNNyXzshoeFg9OV9ryOjTRVD8x9g14oneEpOcxqakIS_3MNfRnW64qAdP1zlEXTHT2MF-ykWdvLGgcVLF60BsHB0YU7X0KxWNCIeLODPUS_e5-sbRGhmo1uL1ZljQHpGs_vqnWTkHe/s1600/DSCN1454.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIpcNNyXzshoeFg9OV9ryOjTRVD8x9g14oneEpOcxqakIS_3MNfRnW64qAdP1zlEXTHT2MF-ykWdvLGgcVLF60BsHB0YU7X0KxWNCIeLODPUS_e5-sbRGhmo1uL1ZljQHpGs_vqnWTkHe/s400/DSCN1454.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The shoulder straps should
be tied to the loops with a simple knot. That way we can remove them to be
washed or replaced, and when we want to wash the backpack. It is much easier to
wash, dry and press, if you are so inclined, the backpack without the shoulder
straps.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Yty63gKgCLLI5VRXKsDp_e_HOqHr5Rqn7rtdTdLtA54Ezb7_wWDc0MFCjbua9coiEOjOoSrZQrfsC10q4Sf0L-YyrnEsaIlpEEG1yfhc9KZ-BhVxDFQR6Ys9SYD15RK4qkRWSccHm8P6/s1600/DSCN1455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Yty63gKgCLLI5VRXKsDp_e_HOqHr5Rqn7rtdTdLtA54Ezb7_wWDc0MFCjbua9coiEOjOoSrZQrfsC10q4Sf0L-YyrnEsaIlpEEG1yfhc9KZ-BhVxDFQR6Ys9SYD15RK4qkRWSccHm8P6/s400/DSCN1455.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In the end we have our <b>kanga backpack</b>. It is ready!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKAtKMnq6vdcLceF6RCDfdqaHGdLgrsMFVkilUj7lTndXZdIuOfeuXwKpGA_Dbm3a1Z77eGla3B4BRumdeaVNfpZQ-9prD5AnSprA2cudCpcdgl2G-1H6lyDCMk56nHtBZf_8fzagZlAO/s1600/DSCN1456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKAtKMnq6vdcLceF6RCDfdqaHGdLgrsMFVkilUj7lTndXZdIuOfeuXwKpGA_Dbm3a1Z77eGla3B4BRumdeaVNfpZQ-9prD5AnSprA2cudCpcdgl2G-1H6lyDCMk56nHtBZf_8fzagZlAO/s400/DSCN1456.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Came out pretty nice, didn’t
it?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-60cyaqmAsDx3fdCXrufGnk8o__xrbUqHWbLzbnBy1IWmJIjdrwxRz-q1x9bxtluA9RdHm9mOh6vZKPSonPF5kYtckFI7aG7Tuff0ESjqE8-Zi8QRZ2eIpnsabSKwet3wKU8ehyFSD_Iu/s1600/DSCN1457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-60cyaqmAsDx3fdCXrufGnk8o__xrbUqHWbLzbnBy1IWmJIjdrwxRz-q1x9bxtluA9RdHm9mOh6vZKPSonPF5kYtckFI7aG7Tuff0ESjqE8-Zi8QRZ2eIpnsabSKwet3wKU8ehyFSD_Iu/s400/DSCN1457.jpg" width="310" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Now go and make your own. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">You can make them for
yourself, to give away to friends as presents, or to sell them! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I wish I had some kanga
cloth. The model would have come out much nicer!</span></div>
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<br /></div>administratorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10947807049794210521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371715864964847591.post-31756623484658444412012-05-21T13:18:00.002+01:002012-07-01T10:42:21.633+01:0030d - A "rocket" stove with adobe blocks<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
I am convinced that <i><b>rocket </b><b>stoves </b></i>can be of great value to institutions where there is no cooking gas and where <b>large pots</b> are used every day to cook a lot of food for lots of hungry mouths. These large pots can be 40cm to 60cm in diameter and 20cm to 30cm or more in height. They are heavy when full.<br />
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In some institutions I have seen kitchens where cooking is done on a <b>three stone fire</b> on the ground. </div>
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I have also seen valiant attempts at improving the situation with <b>gas stoves</b> only to see them abandoned (see picture above) either because the supply of gas was not reliable or because these stoves stopped working and there was no one to fix them.<br />
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I have also noticed that in some cases an attempt was made to install <b>rocket</b> <b>stoves </b>but these were not being used either. In one case the rocket stove was not properly built and did not work at all filling the kitchen with smoke. In another case, see picture above, these stoves were <b>too high</b>, <b>unstable</b> and <b>difficult to use</b> by the women and children who had to work with the large and heavy pots. </div>
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Compared with the metal frame we see on the ground these solutions did not help at all and were abandoned for very valid reasons.<br />
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There are lessons to be learned from these two situations. A <b>rocket stove</b> must be <b>low to the ground</b> for easy access and <b>stable </b>to avoid accidents. It must also be made with <b>easily replaceable materials</b> because these implements do break and need to be fixed.<br />
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If we make use of very well tested rocket stove design principles and use the idea Dr. Larry Winiarski experimented with (see attached video), a <b>rocket stove</b> made out of <b>16 adobe blocks</b>, we come up with the following idea:</div>
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Take <b>16 adobe blocks</b> (not fired) to form a simple and <b>insulated</b> combustion chamber. This insulation is very <b>important </b>to the proper operation of a rocket stove. And a <b>metal frame</b> that will support the weight of the cooking pots. This metal frame is <b>not attached</b> to the adobe blocks.<br />
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The whole stove will be less than <b>40cm in height</b> and looks very much like the metal frame we saw in the first pictures above. It is as if we had taken the original metal frame and inserted the <b>adobe combustion chamber</b> inside. We can do that if the frame is big enough.<br />
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The combustion chamber is built with adobe blocks <b>stacked</b> on top of each other as shown:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDXDjzE78q0GgDM-ygn8XscX6XbVP-imUDXFDdAm9bOBDIP0Hsxv65MYtqSGyXpNSXh-WyEqAWnxXCqdaGPVATDFFUET2LwCrcz0Hx6QiuxyHdmU60aY0REQeSoiQ7dlFKOBWIs1t4c8/s1600/16+brick+stove+layer+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioDXDjzE78q0GgDM-ygn8XscX6XbVP-imUDXFDdAm9bOBDIP0Hsxv65MYtqSGyXpNSXh-WyEqAWnxXCqdaGPVATDFFUET2LwCrcz0Hx6QiuxyHdmU60aY0REQeSoiQ7dlFKOBWIs1t4c8/s400/16+brick+stove+layer+1.jpg" width="387" /></a></div>
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The <b>first layer</b> is made with <b>3 blocks</b> and one <b>half block</b>. In the <b>middle </b>we place a <b>thinner block</b>. This central piece will improve the efficiency of the combustion chamber.<br />
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The <b>second layer</b> is made with another <b>3 blocks</b> and one <b>half block</b> just like the previous one. We must leave an <b>open gap</b> in the front. Through this gap we will feed the <b>firewood </b>and <b>air</b> will enter the chamber. We also place a full block on the ground <b>in front of the stack</b> as seen in the picture. This will <b>support </b>the wood pieces to keep them above the bottom of the chamber.<br />
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The <b>third layer</b> is made with <b>4 full blocks</b>. This layer will form part of the <b>combustion chamber</b> as shown in the picture above.<br />
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The <b>fourth and last layer</b> is also made with <b>4 full blocks</b>. This completes the combustion chamber. The rocket stove is <b>ready to be tested</b>. All the adobe blocks will be left loose. No mortar is used. If one breaks we replace it. That is it. Very simple.</div>
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Use <b>small pieces</b> of firewood, <b>kindling</b>, <b>paper </b>and/or <b>dried leaves</b> to start a fire inside the combustion chamber. Just like you light any other fire. As the stove heats up, it should not take very long, the <b>flame </b>at the <b>top </b>will start turning <b>blue </b>or even <b>colorless</b>. This indicates that the firewood is burning well and all <b>combustion gases</b> are being burned.<br />
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These <b>gases </b>are released when wood burns. In a typical fire they are <b>lost </b>and create <b>pollution</b>. In a rocket stove they burn making a very hot fire. <br />
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It is a good idea to install the <b>metal frame</b> over the stack of adobe blocks <b>before </b>starting the fire. Later everything will be too hot to handle.<br />
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We can place the <b>cooking pot on the stove</b> now. The pot shown in the picture above is about 20cm in height and the stove is about 35cm high. This is a good height even for short people. There are no high <b>heat shields </b>and so the pots can be handled without a lot of lifting. This makes life easier for those working in the kitchen and minimizes the possibility of spills, a common cause of severe burns.<br />
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<b>Heat </b><b>shields </b>are useful to <b>concentrate </b>the <b>heat </b>that otherwise gets lost all around the cooking pot. The shields devised for this stove are set on the ground. This model has two <b>half-shields</b>, one on one side,<br />
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and another <b>heat shield</b> on the other side,<br />
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making them easy to install and remove. A couple of <b>handles </b>would be nice too... they can get very hot.</div>
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In this final picture we show a <b>larger pot</b>. This one about 55cm in diameter and 30cm in height. Still a good height for whomever is cooking and the pot is still nicely placed to make a very good hot soup.<br />
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This type of stove does not use large pieces of firewood. It burns <b>small pieces</b> of <b>firewood</b>. This smaller firewood is <b>cheaper</b> and is much easier to find. Small pieces of wood do not contribute to <b>deforestation </b>since they can be harvested from broken branches.<br />
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<b>Children </b>of all ages do help in institutional kitchens. This is often a necessity and a good learning experience for many of them. Small pieces of firewood are easier for them to lift and handle. <b>Less work</b> and <b>less accidents</b>. This is good too. Right?<br />
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The attached <b>video </b>is by <a href="http://www.aprovecho.org/web-content/publications/pub1.htm" target="_blank">Dr. Winiarski</a>. It is worth watching.<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSMR2ANIZ7E%20" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSMR2ANIZ7E </a><br />
</div>administrator IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07539346858223754228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371715864964847591.post-15187046958291878162012-05-19T15:57:00.000+01:002012-07-01T10:41:05.508+01:0060 - CEBs - a social business model<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<b>The basics</b><br />
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The techniques and equipment required to manufacture CEBs (compressed earth blocks) is well understood. The manufacturing process has been extensively documented and tested.<br />
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One needs to obtain the right amount of the proper type of soil and have access to the equipment to build a dwelling.<br />
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A big advantage of CEBs is that they can be manufactured at the location where the building is going to be erected. Preferably not very far from where the proper soil type can be found. If one has to transport the soil or the finished blocks a long distance the advantages of CEBs start to disappear.<br />
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Now we need to find a way to put this equipment and knowledge to work.<br />
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One needs customers. Not everyone will have the knowledge and very few people will have the money to buy the equipment.<br />
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To overcome these difficulties one needs to find a business model that will be affordable by the <b>great majority</b> of the people who really need a better solution for their living conditions. Those are the most disadvantaged. The people I would like to serve with all the articles published in this blog.<br />
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<b>Business model</b><br />
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A group of young, energetic, community oriented <b>social entrepreneurs</b> and investors get together and create a <b>CEB manufacturing services enterprise</b>.<br />
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This enterprise provides <b>training </b>in the form of workshops. These <b>workshops</b> should be aimed at the people who otherwise would build their own dwellings out of scraps wherever they could find an empty spot of land. In these workshops people would learn basic <b>CEB construction skills</b>.<br />
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In addition, this enterprise would: </div>
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<li>buy a CINVA-type manual CEB press</li>
<li>buy a manual earth mixer</li>
<li>rent out this equipment</li>
<li>sell CEBs received as equipment rent</li>
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Step by step it would look something like this:</div>
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<li>this enterprise creates and organizes <b>workshops</b></li>
<li><b><i>rents </i></b>out the CEB press and earth mixer </li>
<li>no up-front payment is needed</li>
<li>but an equipment security arrangement needs to be in place </li>
<li>use of the CEB press <b><i>costs </i></b>5% of the production</li>
<li>use of the earth mixer <b><i>costs </i></b>5% of the production</li>
<li>the enterprise <b><i>sells </i></b>this production to make money<b><i></i></b> </li>
<li><b><i>invests </i></b>in additional services and equipment </li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Example - a person has a location, gets the proper soil and <b><i>rents</i></b> the CEB press. This person needs to make 1000 blocks. This person makes 1050 blocks, takes the 1000 blocks needed and uses the extra 50 blocks as payment for the <b><i>rent</i></b> of the CEB press. An additional 50 blocks would pay for the <b><i>rent </i></b>of the earth mixer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For the disadvantaged person no money is necessary but payment takes place. For those capable of paying for the rent, a price would be established based on the sale price of the excess earth blocks. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The challenge</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Some <b>young </b>people with good <b>entrepreneurial </b>minds can certainly refine this model and make it work in their community.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">People living in better conditions will be more productive and will contribute to the <b>community market place</b> with products and services. People just need a push to get off their <b>survival mode</b> where they cannot contribute to the community. From this survival level people often become a burden without a chance to play a <b>productive </b>and <b>dignified </b>role in their society. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The first building</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The first building will set the stage and provide a good (or bad) <b>example </b>for the community. This first building could be a <b>school</b>, a <b>clinic</b>, a <b>social center</b>, a local shop or the actual enterprise office. Every community will have a good idea about where to start.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">All that needs to happen is to start where people can see the benefit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></div>administrator IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07539346858223754228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371715864964847591.post-28661791598644222562012-05-19T15:56:00.003+01:002012-07-01T10:39:41.752+01:0021 - Mixing soil for compacted earth blocks (CEB)<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
Compacted Earth Blocks (CEB) are some of the best construction materials we can find. They are and have been used in many parts of the world for many centuries and have proved to be worth a lot more consideration than we sometimes give them.<br />
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As the name indicates they are made out of soil that is compacted in a simple press and <b>cured in the sun</b>. They are <b>not fired</b> and are more resilient than <b>adobe </b>blocks. It is much easier to build with CEBs than to build with <b>rammed earth</b>. <br />
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They are often <b>manufactured </b>in the <b>location </b>where the dwelling will be built. CEBs can be made with soil components only. But they can be <b>stabilized </b>with <b>lime </b>or <b>cement </b>to be more durable.</div>
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Since they do not consume fuel for the firing process CEBs do not contribute to <b>climate change</b> and <b>deforestation</b>. The manufacturing process uses 5 to 15 times <b>less energy</b> and is about 8 times <b>less polluting</b> than other types of blocks and bricks.</div>
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All these factors contribute to a <b>lower production cost</b> when compared to the available alternatives.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The CEB manufacturing process and the many construction methods using CEBs are well documented in many languages. For that reason we will only cover here some <b>basic points</b> on how to get the right <b>soil mixture</b>.</span></div>
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<b>Raw materials</b></div>
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The basic raw material is soil with a good mix of <b>gravel</b>, <b>sand</b>, <b>silt </b>and <b>clay</b>. This type of soil can be found in many locations around us. These locations are well known in all communities and there is always someone who knows where they are.<br />
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<img height="575" id="il_fi" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63Mi_tARNA1C3pxI1tN7d4BCB_VRsWjTWgmJyu-8JFqTZsxdDGScwj8VxNr23ODPZ5VCYJO7_DjJDl3UZmG__qBN7vsMIphHP3rfvXDUOzHYyjo7I3QmhTPM-_kjCzvSWPUA1V2nQSpE/s1600/perfis+de+solos.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="382" /> </div>
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This good soil is found <b>under </b>the ground layer of topsoil. <b>Topsoil </b>is where plants grow and will always contain a large amount of plant and animal matter. The soil in topsoil is not good for what we need. We need the more reddish soil as shown in the picture above.</div>
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<b>Soil identification</b><br />
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To identify the type of soil we have we use the same <b>identification </b>method we used to make adobe blocks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CcmUs4nYYAosFcmvoG1icnrt2nDjis5UC3yqCk0rz1QSezIrg0yms1YcIKjgfihL3S8QbEHqkGaPOkjXxiS4PKZNJHheXKOcXxNOpN21GWXHPzV0hmgqMb8ksncGHvhd_36d7iFfYgk/s1600/Earth+test+en.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CcmUs4nYYAosFcmvoG1icnrt2nDjis5UC3yqCk0rz1QSezIrg0yms1YcIKjgfihL3S8QbEHqkGaPOkjXxiS4PKZNJHheXKOcXxNOpN21GWXHPzV0hmgqMb8ksncGHvhd_36d7iFfYgk/s400/Earth+test+en.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The above picture shows some examples of the type of results we may get. The <b>percentages </b>always refer to the <b>total amount of soil</b> in the sample. The water used and left after the test has no impact on the results.<br />
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<b>The right soil mixture </b></div>
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A good soil mix for CEBs has the <b>composition </b>shown in the picture below. If the soil collected from the local source does no have this mix we need to add more of one of the other component until we do. It is important that our soil sample does not contain rocks or organic material such as found in the topsoil.<br />
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First we need to make sure that our soil is well <b>ground up</b> and has <b>no lumps</b>. Then we <b>mix </b>all the components well <b>without water</b>. Only then do we mix water until we get a humidity level that will allow us to <b>make a ball</b> in our hands. But our hands should not be wet after making the ball.<br />
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When we <b>drop the ball</b> from waist height the ball should break in pieces like the example in the middle of the picture above. At that point we have a good mix to make our CEBs in the press.<br />
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We may add about 5% of <b>lime </b>or <b>cement </b>to obtain a good stabilization. This makes our CEBs more resistant to breakage and more durable. Stabilized CEBs need to <b>cure </b>in air for about four weeks.</div>
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</div>administrator IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07539346858223754228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371715864964847591.post-89503225555318614432012-05-17T19:04:00.003+01:002012-07-01T10:38:39.417+01:0022 - A manual CEB CINVA press<div class="post-header">
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Manual <b>CEB </b>(Compressed Earth Blocks) presses exist since <a href="http://casarama.wordpress.com/cinva-ram/" target="_blank"><i>Raul Ramirez</i></a><a href="http://casarama.wordpress.com/cinva-ram/" target="_blank"> </a>created the manual <b>CINVA </b>press in the 1950s decade.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dQokT9AmPk92X6LRe9lmynlpBh65hNjjuCmkNQgkb2E-WI0VNP-_UwYJYs2kpqfzmFBwz-G3Bck4vFW-m7X8Fe0hRXvgRIRTPMSQE4Sr75TpxukbYvYKY9c2BfvMSsYZp0vsNdizG1U/s1600/cinva-ram1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dQokT9AmPk92X6LRe9lmynlpBh65hNjjuCmkNQgkb2E-WI0VNP-_UwYJYs2kpqfzmFBwz-G3Bck4vFW-m7X8Fe0hRXvgRIRTPMSQE4Sr75TpxukbYvYKY9c2BfvMSsYZp0vsNdizG1U/s320/cinva-ram1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ever since a number of designers and enterprises around the world have published and manufactured CEB presses based on this concept. There are also a number of Internet sites with links to drawings for this type of manual CEB press.<br />
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I have been searching far and wide but I have not been able to find any plans or drawings for one of these manual presses. In the end I decided to create my own set of plans and drawings for the <b>manual CINVA press</b>. The objective was to create a set of drawings with all the pieces, dimensions and details for anyone to build one.<br />
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The press I drew and filed in the <a href="http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=e9413ae3c70682bc22a1564402012717&prevstart=0" target="_blank"><i><b>Google 3D Warehouse</b></i></a> data base was for 28cm x 14cm x 10cm <b>CEB </b>blocks and is intended to manufacture one block at a time. It is really intended to be a tool for the entry level builder.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBS20J8JUeI7ZJZvfHQzgsxpBMQwsPow4RJWDbT6w75mbXTYqrowGH2RC085xrBq4Cf4TPXxlCidTpY0mvECW0997yBDo6y5U44gmOdQ_WBOZGzN0AC2CzJjaqTS69mtUyxBg3r3q7dQ/s1600/CEB+CINVA+press.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBS20J8JUeI7ZJZvfHQzgsxpBMQwsPow4RJWDbT6w75mbXTYqrowGH2RC085xrBq4Cf4TPXxlCidTpY0mvECW0997yBDo6y5U44gmOdQ_WBOZGzN0AC2CzJjaqTS69mtUyxBg3r3q7dQ/s400/CEB+CINVA+press.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>
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I have not built a prototype yet. A few details are missing by I am confident that all dimensions are good and will be useful to anyone with access to a small metal workshop.<br />
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I will update all the published drawings and plans and will share in this blog all the missing details as soon as I have built and tested the prototype.<br />
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But if anyone is handy enough to try and build a prototype before I do, please share with us your <i>lessons learned</i>. We will all be thankful for that.<br />
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I am available to answer any questions and clarify any doubts.</div>
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</div>administrator IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07539346858223754228noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371715864964847591.post-41601818468478241022012-05-16T17:39:00.002+01:002012-07-31T14:23:31.892+01:0010 - Modern or traditional style<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
Traditional or modern <b>style</b>? Traditional or modern <b>materials</b>? </div>
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Two themes that have greatly influenced the way in which we have built and still build our dwellings. And the choices we have made have not always yielded the most desirable results.<br />
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Let us explore a bit these tow themes. I invite the reader to also explore these two themes with friends and family.</div>
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<b>TRADITIONAL OR MODERN STYLE?</b></div>
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We know all too well the origin of the forces that made us view everything we were familiar with, everything that was traditional, as inadequate, old, and no good. We do not need to review again that part of our history.<br />
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But we know that it was due to those forces that we stopped building our dwellings the way our elders and our ancestors used to build and started imitating the style and the materials that were shown to us in the <b>cities of concrete</b>.<br />
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I find it very interesting that today, all over the world, we can see a revival and a recognition of that traditional style in the construction of new hotels...
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... residential buildings ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbV5M7_a8sl7xpDK3NrB06wR5Toe363o9f3sJkwL-8tbbv1VexNywAGAChdjjO_jggIIxprTLqg1_GtQ6Jr7A52O_SKALfz3nBgVY4OekAeWu-CToAUvli6whQgHQ5jQdBh5NUz2rwYU0/s1600/habita%C3%A7%C3%A3o+r%C3%BAstica+2.bmp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbV5M7_a8sl7xpDK3NrB06wR5Toe363o9f3sJkwL-8tbbv1VexNywAGAChdjjO_jggIIxprTLqg1_GtQ6Jr7A52O_SKALfz3nBgVY4OekAeWu-CToAUvli6whQgHQ5jQdBh5NUz2rwYU0/s400/habita%C3%A7%C3%A3o+r%C3%BAstica+2.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
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... beach facilities ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyVweuIjRkJ7RhEd9km2lLi1Kkxko-aU72ZImw-oQQ4PRG_copkyTRj7OALYS2Zym8W9TeuUko8Q_ucGniD3KWvHNZkjEWaG56LdcyL6uTzRIkZVLiLenaT4jILcHodfcZf0aR79U0vc/s1600/casamagna-marriott-beach-cancun.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyVweuIjRkJ7RhEd9km2lLi1Kkxko-aU72ZImw-oQQ4PRG_copkyTRj7OALYS2Zym8W9TeuUko8Q_ucGniD3KWvHNZkjEWaG56LdcyL6uTzRIkZVLiLenaT4jILcHodfcZf0aR79U0vc/s400/casamagna-marriott-beach-cancun.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbV5M7_a8sl7xpDK3NrB06wR5Toe363o9f3sJkwL-8tbbv1VexNywAGAChdjjO_jggIIxprTLqg1_GtQ6Jr7A52O_SKALfz3nBgVY4OekAeWu-CToAUvli6whQgHQ5jQdBh5NUz2rwYU0/s1600/habita%C3%A7%C3%A3o+r%C3%BAstica+2.bmp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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... and other buildings replicating and imitating our so called <b>traditional style</b>. </div>
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This being the case then, why can't we build our homes, no matter how humble and small, in the way that was so familiar to us, the way that was valued for so long, and is now being valued again by so many people in our countries as well as overseas?<br />
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Like this example that I find so simple, comfortable and beautiful ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgizR9BUOcaNlp5MggqL9t9huGgJD2nmY4AsSe1AJ2Yh-mw_3_d-au5XkiM9fr9G4FRUY4qlwVQjqESlpBMfmlnQyEnx3LFh-cxDtbSYyUSl9NC2ZbvONyr3jTZnlTuuKjt26GmKKeUJw/s1600/habita%25C3%25A7%25C3%25A3o+r%25C3%25BAstica.bmp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgizR9BUOcaNlp5MggqL9t9huGgJD2nmY4AsSe1AJ2Yh-mw_3_d-au5XkiM9fr9G4FRUY4qlwVQjqESlpBMfmlnQyEnx3LFh-cxDtbSYyUSl9NC2ZbvONyr3jTZnlTuuKjt26GmKKeUJw/s400/habita%25C3%25A7%25C3%25A3o+r%25C3%25BAstica.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
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... or this one, a bit less elaborate, but with a lot of good taste ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83ERFKuKL3zLFErmSfmrpCzWJOFHYo79qdIluVQyGd_fYJRpRHA5MXNUa6s9zfu-bAphqaXOQLzMYsigNnRlr1lbLBBzfDircQpXRX-EJGmbur9Aafa0IlvgFBjigNpTJ2BQ203VxHoo/s1600/taipa_para_o_brasil.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83ERFKuKL3zLFErmSfmrpCzWJOFHYo79qdIluVQyGd_fYJRpRHA5MXNUa6s9zfu-bAphqaXOQLzMYsigNnRlr1lbLBBzfDircQpXRX-EJGmbur9Aafa0IlvgFBjigNpTJ2BQ203VxHoo/s400/taipa_para_o_brasil.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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... and based on a mix of details and readily available materials.</div>
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I think that the <b>times have changed</b> and that the door is open for us to make use of so much time tested <b>traditional knowledge</b>. And we can enrich this knowledge with a mix of ideas to create dwellings we can build ourselves with materials readily available in nature. Dwellings that can be so much more comfortable and healthy.<br />
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<b>TRADITIONAL OR MODERN MATERIALS?</b></div>
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Traditional building materials are very well suited to build dwellings in the so called traditional style. The style people call <b>ecological </b>but I call <b>human </b>and <b>nature friendly</b>.</div>
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In future articles we will identify natural building materials, traditional building materials, how to obtain them, how to build well with them and how to improve their comfort and efficiency as residential buildings.</div>administrator IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07539346858223754228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371715864964847591.post-77385797360400170912012-05-14T14:48:00.003+01:002012-07-01T10:07:46.258+01:0004b - Good ventilation habits<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
To be comfortable a building with <b>insulation </b>and good <b>ventilation </b>still depends on the participation of its occupants. </div>
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Walls that are built with earth and clay based materials, such as cob, mud bricks or rammed earth, <b>absorb </b>and <b>release heat </b>at a much slower rate than walls built with reeds, concrete blocks or corrugated iron sheets. This is called high <i>thermal capacity</i> and <i>thermal inertia</i>.</div>
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We can and should use this ability to <b>retain heat</b> to control the warmth or coolness inside a dwelling. And this happens when the dwelling occupants adopt <b>simple practices </b>that can contribute in a big way to the comfort level within the building. </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In warm weather</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We want the building to be cool during warm and hot weather. But the air will only be cooler after sunset. When the <b>night </b>air starts to cool off we want to <b>open the intake air vents</b> close to the floor and the <b>exhaust air vents</b> close to the ceiling/roof. This will let the cool night air in and, or at a minimum, will let air circulate due to the induced <b>stack effect</b> (or <b>chimney effect</b>).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">At <b>night </b>this cooler air circulation will help <b>cool off the walls</b> and release any excess <b>humidity </b>that may have accumulated during the day. This <b>cooling effect</b> is, in reality, the release of heat accumulated in the walls during the day. And so air circulation inside the dwelling will <b>release</b> excess <b>heat </b>and <b>humidity</b>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In the <b>daytime </b>we want to preserve this <b>coolness </b><i>accumulated </i>during the cool hours of the night. To do this we <b>close </b>all <b>air intake vents</b> to stop the hot outside air from entering the building.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">During the <b>day </b>the outside of the walls could be exposed to <b>direct sunlight</b> and <b>absorb </b>a lot of <b>heat</b>. This will not help us keep the dwelling cool during the day. During hot sunny days we should try to keep the sun away from the building walls. Wide <b>roof overhangs</b>, the <b>shade of trees</b> or other shading solutions are the best approach.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In cold weather</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">During <b>cold </b>weather we want to do exactly the <b>opposite </b>to what we do during hot weather. We want <b>warm air</b> to <b>enter the building</b> during the <b>day </b>and at night, or when it is cold, we do not want this warm air to get out of our warm dwelling.</span><br />
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To <b>warm up the walls</b> we want to <b>open</b> the <b>intake air vents</b> during the day. We also <b>open </b>the <b>exhaust air vents</b> to create good <b>air circulation</b>. We want to make sure that the air going into the building is as warm as possible. We want the air from the <b>sunny side</b> of the dwelling.</div>
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When the <b>sun </b>starts to <b>go down</b> and the temperature starts to drop we want to <b>close </b>the <b>intake </b>and the <b>exhaust air vents</b> to keep the warm air and the warmth accumulated in the walls to stay inside. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">An <b>insulated </b>and <b>ventilated </b>building that is built with earth based materials will maintain most of its warmth until the sun comes up again. We are still dependent on the weather, but we can take advantage of the benefits that nature provides.</span><br />
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These <b>good practices</b> are simple and will contribute the <b>physical comfort</b> we can obtain in an <b>insulated </b>building with control over its <b>ventilation</b>. </div>
administrator IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07539346858223754228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3371715864964847591.post-7681226684525837972012-05-12T12:19:00.004+01:002012-07-01T10:06:41.005+01:0004a - A dwelling with good ventilation<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
To have <b>good ventilation</b> in a dwelling without fans and air conditioning units we have to create what is called the <b>stack effect</b> or the <b>chimney effect</b>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEs7gs02f2Z0iaGkl3k33NE0eHiKwQq6Uqqh0cL3R4CovWXrPld945bWqzoqPLF02M6eqQti9Roilgk_Xo5Not-akSdcJXT8JYBeW1dyOVW7fyOClmTmWvkKXSElfnAeMzdLI1mJm8cmk/s1600/Stack+effect+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEs7gs02f2Z0iaGkl3k33NE0eHiKwQq6Uqqh0cL3R4CovWXrPld945bWqzoqPLF02M6eqQti9Roilgk_Xo5Not-akSdcJXT8JYBeW1dyOVW7fyOClmTmWvkKXSElfnAeMzdLI1mJm8cmk/s320/Stack+effect+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The <b>stack effect</b> takes place when <b>cooler air</b> coming from the outside flows into a building, preferably at floor level, and <b>warmer air</b>, humid air, smoky air loaded with unwanted smells, leaves the building through an opening close to the ceiling.<br />
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This <b>stack effect</b> can be very efficient if the dwelling is built in such a way as to benefit from the <b>wind </b>that regularly blows in the area as represented in the picture above.<br />
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Let us examine some practical details of a well ventilated and insulated dwelling built to minimize the accumulation of humidity.<br />
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We will start with the <b>foundations</b>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjpIwN4_TpsEYgI4uJveplPdGoO88rEEn4SjHDokoEJ4-Wwo13SYzEbdmylWs-gk0m99IzdKbB5ehCgJc-HZVgWkklhQaRBVZvRZmO0jgu-U2z7LI3FLmzSXRYuB2OjuvSjccqfRc-uw/s1600/Casa+ventilada+-+funda%C3%A7%C3%A3o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjpIwN4_TpsEYgI4uJveplPdGoO88rEEn4SjHDokoEJ4-Wwo13SYzEbdmylWs-gk0m99IzdKbB5ehCgJc-HZVgWkklhQaRBVZvRZmO0jgu-U2z7LI3FLmzSXRYuB2OjuvSjccqfRc-uw/s320/Casa+ventilada+-+funda%C3%A7%C3%A3o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The <b>foundations </b>should be built with <b>stone and cement</b> or <b>concrete blocks</b>. These materials make them more resistant to the humidity in the ground. The foundations must be built so that the <b>base of the walls</b> and the <b>floor of the dwelling</b> are kept about 10cm to 15cm (4in to 6in) above the level of the surrounding terrain. The soil under the foundations should be well compacted and firm.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaO3r4IgpP6SUrDXxLvvawYw9X_kxz1FaCWXcrP37vnfQqSurXHHi5hlYqf22RrKlPgknkij2zjyS5faZNzjom-DIaUV8tXiiqgrilqa9A9U9j8hNkTARNrTo-61hAwRUPdIWwtmFmZ5c/s1600/Casa+ventilada+-+ch%C3%A3o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaO3r4IgpP6SUrDXxLvvawYw9X_kxz1FaCWXcrP37vnfQqSurXHHi5hlYqf22RrKlPgknkij2zjyS5faZNzjom-DIaUV8tXiiqgrilqa9A9U9j8hNkTARNrTo-61hAwRUPdIWwtmFmZ5c/s320/Casa+ventilada+-+ch%C3%A3o.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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<b>Fill </b>the space inside the foundation walls with rubble, soil or a mix of soil, gravel, sand and stone and <b>compact </b>very well all this <b>filling material</b>. Do not leave in topsoil that contains organic material.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqIXM1QTVr3RwTfZ1BSm-xsMJvhD6erXL-MOUSUm5I0T5l2ndnm4H_-vXu9RavsqSutvCBLs2jiUQVMnO_xe_bxNQizsvDlckoAgtHONeu77HNhrMmm7OggnNNaZIMp68GXa8nwPFSas/s1600/Casa+ventilada+-+paredes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqIXM1QTVr3RwTfZ1BSm-xsMJvhD6erXL-MOUSUm5I0T5l2ndnm4H_-vXu9RavsqSutvCBLs2jiUQVMnO_xe_bxNQizsvDlckoAgtHONeu77HNhrMmm7OggnNNaZIMp68GXa8nwPFSas/s320/Casa+ventilada+-+paredes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In this example we are building the walls with <b>brick</b>, <b>adobe</b>, <b>mud</b>, <b>rammed earth</b> or <b>compacted earth blocks</b> (CEB). All earth/mud based construction materials are much better insulators of heat and cold than concrete based materials. These materials need some regular <b>maintenance </b>and the roof <b>overhangs </b>need to be wide enough (40cm to 50cm or more) to protect the walls from the falling rain but it will be worth it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizj1OvvXWgPrUbqk1V58SunqYMHou_jpHvdmUnCgmsNnorVmcBIFn2ZJuLvoBvUGe4eNdXCcjReG8kub00kc7R9nllwgdXrH7urxVB6XimD8kasoZs0PQohXHLfqadRWwEJgFlLZ98EOE/s1600/Casa+ventilada+-+vigamento.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizj1OvvXWgPrUbqk1V58SunqYMHou_jpHvdmUnCgmsNnorVmcBIFn2ZJuLvoBvUGe4eNdXCcjReG8kub00kc7R9nllwgdXrH7urxVB6XimD8kasoZs0PQohXHLfqadRWwEJgFlLZ98EOE/s320/Casa+ventilada+-+vigamento.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now that the walls have been built we can build the <b>roof</b>.This will be built in the habitual way. With wooden beams, joists and sticks to form a grid, the structure over which we will apply the <b>metal sheets</b> that will make up the roof itself. To protect the walls from the falling rain the overhangs should be 40cm to 50cm wide or more depending on local weather conditions and practices.<br />
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We could install the <b>insulation </b>before installing the roofing metal sheets. The insulation will go well between the roof beams. In this case we can use some matting to cover the underside of the insulation to make it visually more appealing. This insulation will protect the interior from the heat of the sun and from the cold outside. <br />
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After we install the roofing <b>metal sheets</b> (cement fiber or plastic sheets), still a good protection against the rain, our dwelling will be ready to be occupied.<br />
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There are some important <b>details </b>worth highlighting to be included while the walls are being built. <br />
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<b>Windows and air vents</b><br />
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A good solution for the windows is to install <b>top hinged shutters</b> as shown in the picture. This configuration makes good protection against the sun and the rain. With these we do not have to run to close the windows when it rains.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVf0tsc42v8T3FiU2oabcFH7djGrVuH3CrLl61o07SVGdbRxdXxx4LI65PEk-bXm8t7PVCaq0iOf8H2AwLGpy1nuqdV5hmj12bWc6XWJelsRrDatZAOEbBMHngXYHljyzILCPPSq_RrE/s1600/Casa+ventilada+-+janela+e+vent+out.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVf0tsc42v8T3FiU2oabcFH7djGrVuH3CrLl61o07SVGdbRxdXxx4LI65PEk-bXm8t7PVCaq0iOf8H2AwLGpy1nuqdV5hmj12bWc6XWJelsRrDatZAOEbBMHngXYHljyzILCPPSq_RrE/s320/Casa+ventilada+-+janela+e+vent+out.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>
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<b>Air vents</b> should be as close to <b>floor level</b> as possible. At ground level air is always cooler.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0h-5Z32yP0rfQIJY22Qs1mJg_5wpcchbcRtNGjaDrtd9wzstx2mNjod9zTv8bhyphenhyphenmqpgj00c_RHLjHIphFedjfm5nyMxyZ-FRcuJPBU4J77RZziOmwKtF6UcRupuYP7lLAXhWLXmWwyQ/s1600/Casa+ventilada+-+janela+e+vent+inside.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0h-5Z32yP0rfQIJY22Qs1mJg_5wpcchbcRtNGjaDrtd9wzstx2mNjod9zTv8bhyphenhyphenmqpgj00c_RHLjHIphFedjfm5nyMxyZ-FRcuJPBU4J77RZziOmwKtF6UcRupuYP7lLAXhWLXmWwyQ/s320/Casa+ventilada+-+janela+e+vent+inside.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
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<b>Intake air vents</b> can be protected from the outside with <b>bars </b>or strong wire mesh, and from the inside with <b>shutters </b>as shown in the picture above. Always close to the ground and on the <b>windy side</b> of the building if at all possible. If there is a <b>shady side</b> of the building, it is worth placing the air vents on that side because the air will be cooler there.<br />
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<b>Exhaust air vents</b> should be built as <b>close to the roof</b> as possible. In this example these vents were placed between the roof beams and protected with strong <b>wire mesh</b>. On the inside we can also install shutters. Exhaust air vents should be on the side of the dwelling <b>opposite to the wind</b>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjyyhi1MongTp8wOXysALuaetQRxtXHTI12F11hpOBt0XBQA_VC5mlHvd0Eo-CGGILb8gVUGViCyb576EPEohXMkA4_laZFS-WdM2OxYs634YaCpjHFR6eQxlzfhBJzJ8-oHtZ_aajnk/s1600/Casa+ventilada+-+janela+e+vent+top.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjyyhi1MongTp8wOXysALuaetQRxtXHTI12F11hpOBt0XBQA_VC5mlHvd0Eo-CGGILb8gVUGViCyb576EPEohXMkA4_laZFS-WdM2OxYs634YaCpjHFR6eQxlzfhBJzJ8-oHtZ_aajnk/s320/Casa+ventilada+-+janela+e+vent+top.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In this example we can see a window protected with top hinged shutters, an air intake vent protected with <b>wood slats </b>for better air circulation and two <b>exhaust vents</b> between the roof beams protected by a wire mesh.<br />
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Notice how the <b>exhaust air vents</b> are <b>close to the roof</b>.<br />
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When we install the <b>insulating material</b> we need to keep it away from the vents to ensure good air circulation.<br />
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From the <b>inside </b>it is easy to see the space left around the exhaust air vent.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
The insulation material, using natural or manufactured materials, can be
attached to the roof beams with wires, wire mesh, string or other
materials.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Important points</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We chose a simple dwelling as our example. Each one of us can modify these ideas and use additional ones. The windows may have glass panes or not. There may be bars on the windows or not. It all depends on the situation. But it is important to leave the openings required for windows and air vents when the walls are being built.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What is really important is:</span></div>
<ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<li><b>Foundations </b>that are above ground level</li>
<li>Earth products (mud) for the <b>walls</b> </li>
<li>Metal sheets (or plastic sheets) for the<b> roof</b></li>
<li><b>Insulation </b>on the inside of the roof</li>
<li><b>Intake air vents</b> close to floor level</li>
<li><b>Exhaust air vents</b> close to the roof/ceiling</li>
<li>the <b>behavior </b>of the dwelling occupants </li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
And a bit of imagination and creativity. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Our habits</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The <b>behavior </b>and living habits of the occupants is also very important. For example, during the <b>night</b> the air outside is cooler and we should <b>open the intake air vents</b> to cool off the inside of the dwelling. During <b>daytime</b>, when it is hot outside, we should <b>close the intake air vents</b> to keep the inside cool.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">During the <b>cooler months</b> it may be more comfortable if we <b>open the air vents during the day</b> to allow the warmer air in. This air will warm up the inside of the dwelling and help get rid of humidity. <b>At night</b> it may be better to <b>close the intake air vents</b> keeping in the warmth accumulated in the walls during the day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">A well insulated and ventilated dwelling responds well to our behaviors. We change clothes according to the weather. We should also make use of shutters, air vents and insulation to accommodate to weather changes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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