Build It International Katuba Community School, Zambia Update

Build It International
Katuba Community School, Zambia
Update Report for Priorslee Primary Academy, July 2015
Summary
We are working with the Katuba community, training 20
local people to build a new 1x2 classroom, 3 bed rammed
earth house and latrine for this remote community
school with 135 pupils. The new classroom will replace an
inadequate structure that is in a state of collapse.
The support from Priorslee Primary Academy has helped us to begin our work to transform the
community. Thanks to your support so far we have:

mobilised the community to assist with site clearance and the collection of raw materials

recruited 20 men and women from the community to join our Training into Work programme
and be trained in construction skills

completed 10 day intensive construction skills training course with new trainees

begun construction on 1x2 classroom block, 3 bedroom rammed earth house and latrine

drilled a borehole and installed a water pump.
Training began May 2015 and the excavations for the classrooms, teachers house and latrine have been
completed. A borehole has been drilled and a water pump has been installed. Over the next few months
the foundations will be laid and bricklaying will begin.
Transforming Katuba Community - Training into Work
Trainee selection
 Potential trainees went through several interviews and a
trial period before the final selection was made.
 20 Trainees (12 men and 8 women) were selected in May
by our training manager, Justus to take part in our
Training into work Programme.
Intensive skills training

The 10 day intensive skills training course took
place in May 2015.

Trainees were given PPE (Personal Protective
Equipment) construction tools and taught
health and safety.

Hands on training was mixed with theory
lessons to teach trainees bricklaying basics
and how to use their new tools.
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Registered charity no. 1115989
“This is my first time building, I have been learning about bricklaying and
have been digging the foundations. I have a 6 year old daughter who will
come to this school when it is finished. I hope if I do this training I can be
someone and earn some money. After the training I want to get even better
and become a contractor”. Andrew, Katuba trainee
Construction
Design: The 1x2 classroom uses Build It’s distinctive
hexagonal classroom design. Each classroom is
approximately 64 square meters and will be built from
blocks made from soil excavated on site.
Our 2015 impact study found that the hexagonal
classroom allows for better teacher-pupil interaction
over a government designed school.
The construction of the 3 bedroom house will be the
first time Build It has used rammed earth technology to
build a house.
Progress: Good progress has been made at Katuba and
work is on schedule. The site has been cleared of
vegetation and the excavations of the 1x2 classroom, 3
bed house and latrine have been dug.
Over the next few weeks trainees will work on levelling
the bottom of the classroom and house foundation
and casting the concrete foundation footing and
substructure blockwork.
Katuba Build Schedule:
Community Mobilization
Training
Site Preparation
Foundations
Walls
Roof
Finishings
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
We would like to thank the pupils and parents for supporting this project which will
transform the lives of 4,700 children and adults in this community.
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www.builditinternational.org
Registered charity no. 1115989