Shine On Sierra Leone, a human service foundation that provides education, mentoring and nutritional support to schools in Sierra Leone constructed a school building using earth bags. It was constructed using materials easily accessible to all -flour or rice bags and earth (cement, clay and sand) and a thin layer of top cement. Construction of the earthbag building was transformational for all involved. The building was made without power tools, but instead hand made tools. It is extremely strong, aesthetically beautiful, has permanent furniture (desks) and will be here for 1000 years. The idea was to use materials that are easily accessible to locals.
At first, the workers laughed at the idea of "building with bags" and very quickly, they became excited and took ownership in a way that brought the village together in an unprecedented way. They asked us if they could name the building "Unity Building" because all of the tribes felt united and that they were essential. 
The roof is traditional, as the intended dome shape took some getting used to in the village. However, due the huge success of this building, they now want build the first eco-dome village in Sierra leone. The dome will make the buildings very, very affordable, as the roof is usually the most expensive part. We are now looking to make the village a purely sustainable environment by installing permaculture. Photos of the new building were shown to the Vice President’s wife and she called meetings with everyone at the statehouse to see this slideshow. The statehouse (government), Unicef and Ministry of Education are thrilled with the design and have been taking b
ack to back meetings to discuss using it as a template to rebuild Sierra Leone and its schools.
Thank you for All For Africa your support ~ financially and otherwise to make this possible, this is truly amazing!
The hole left by the removal of earth will be converted in to fish pond for the school by the Ministry of Agriculture!
Author Shine On, Tiffany
Well done, Shine on SL! In which place is the new school located?
Good job! It goes to show how simple earthbag building can be. Anyone can do this.
Complete earthbag building information: http://www.EarthbagBuilding.com
Free House Plans: http://freehouseplans.wordpress.com/
In Kono District, in the eastern province (village of Bongema)
Impressive! Hopefully, a sign of things to come.
Instead of the duplicating the concrete jungle, as is Nassau… New Providence, Bahamian “Family Island” builders can investigate the benefits of sustainable building.
It makes GOOD sense!
Thanks a million for the people of Sierra Leone and Africa as a whole.
” We need cheaper and durable methods of building structures like the one you did”
Bravo, Bravo and a big Bravo
I’m interested in the conversion of the hole into a fish pond. How will you make sure it doesn’t become a mosquito breeding ground? What kind of fish will you breed and how will you sustain and manage the pond?
We’d like to do something similar — and the pond sounds like a great idea — so your reply is much appreciated!
Hi Elie!
The Ministry of Agriculture is supplying and maintaining the pond as a contribution to our project. I will find out from them, as to how they traditionally maintain their ponds. PLease keep in touch with me at tiffanypersons@gmail.com.
Thank you for your comment, I would love to help you figure the best way to implement/ Also, have you researched permaculture? Let’s email soon.
Best – Tiffany