The Straight Interlocking Stabilized Soil Block (ISSB) press machine will aid in manufacturing blocks that will be used in several ways to promote empowerment and sustainability in Timothy Home and Kirinda Village. The blocks are made with a mixture of soil, cement, and water compacted with a manually operated machine. The benefits of the use of these blocks are significant and include:

 

• Environmental - The technology is eco-friendly since it doesn’t need firing of brick kilns which is the case with the conventional method. Therefore, no trees are chopped down to fuel brick kilns, making ISSB far more environmentally friendly. Ancient forests are preserved and C02 emissions are drastically reduced.
   

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Structural - The compression of the bricks creates a strong and sturdy block. The uniformity and the interlocking feature of the brick provides great stability to the structure. ISSB is proven to be stronger than the conventional clay brick. Dry compressive strength testing at the University of Bath, UK, suggests ISSB is up to 80% stronger than a clay brick.
   

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Educational - Introducing this technology to the community provides a new skill set, while also promoting environmentally conscious practices in construction and decision making.

   

• Aesthetic - Building with these blocks creates more visibly attractive building. Pride in one’s school has a tremendous effect on morale and motivation in the community and among students.

 

Other benefits associated with use of the press machine include:
 

• Cost savings since less time is needed to make the blocks - the ISSB machine reduces the cost of construction by 50% - 70%.

• The interlocking feature of the ISSB means much less mortar is required between courses, so construction is easier and costs further reduced. This is considerable savings on cement and sand, since no mortar is needed between the bricks because of the interlocking system; mortar is only needed on top and bottom of the brick.

• The blocks are close to double the size of a normal fired brick; you therefore need to use half the number of bricks.

• The blocks are manufactured on site hence saving transportation costs and damage to blocks.
   

The youth will be equipped with brick-making, building, and construction skills, which will include learning curriculum about business building. This will include using the bricks to build water basins to protect water tanks and to build homes and other structures. This will provide educational and long-term sustainability and income to youth in the Kirinda village, along with long-term, cost-effective, and eco-friendly structures.