We built a 220 square foot cabin and a cob oven in a remote part of Kenya over five weeks.
We were one lead instructor, one assistant instructor for two weeks, 9 Kenyan apprentices, one US apprentice, and over 30 Maasai women.
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The foundation was well built to our specifications before we arrived. The area does not lack for rocks!
We added lots of rocks to the wide walls to take up space. Using a local resource well!
Joseph finding plumb for the front door
Walls getting higher in a late afternoon work session
Making adobe blocks. This was a new and exciting technique for the local Maasai women as well as our Kenyan apprentices.
Jonathan teaching the group about windows and lintels
Inside a nearby manyatta - the traditional Maasai wood and mud hut
Another manyatta. They are universally low and dark. The women are responsible for building the manyattas and caring for the homes.
Me on the wall working on roof anchors and bond beams
One of the volunteer groups with apprentices at the end of the week. BT, our hostess, is third from right in the back row wearing the hat.
Nearest town - Saikeri
On safari
Sarah catching a cob from Robert
Joseph and Peter building the adobe and cob arch. With limited wood and nails Joseph cobbled together a sturdy form.
Backside of the cabin before bathroom addition
Roof on just in time for the rains
Maasai mixing cob. The Africans chose to mix barefoot and very big batches.
BT working on arched windows in kitchen. We used a lime paint to finish the walls.
Troweling the first floor section
Fleshly poured floor in kitchen
Decorative shelf looking through arch into bedroom/living room
Cob oven drying
Peter, Joseph and Wilson applying brown coat on the exterior
Me finishing the last of the second earthen floor
Living room/bedroom with wall art, inset shelves, niche, and door to bathroom
Thaddeus, Wilson, Koki and I firing the oven for the first time
All the apprentices, some guests, and most of the Maasai women after graduation
Elephant poop at Mt. Kenya National Park. It would make a great source of chopped straw!
Dachsunds snoozing! Just the five adults at the site - the five puppies stayed around the communal kitchen. They were all characters and wonderful comic relief.
James trying TJ's homemade mango and milk ice cream. "Cold!"
Maasai boy chopping leafy branches off a tall tree for the cows below. With the long drought they've been resorting to less nutritious leaves for the remaining cattle.
Front of cabin
Walking to the building after awarding the certificates
Front entry
Another view which shows the bathroom addition