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March 17, 2009
Gorom-Gorom School Update
This is an artist's impression of what the school in Gorom-Gorom could look like when finished.
The design has still to be finalised, but the idea is that, instead of the standard cement brick and tin roof, we would design something that would give the best to the least, providing a school building that would be:
- Academically stimulating - encouraging student engagement
- Physically comfortable - reducing climatic impact
- Socially empowering - creating community-building space
- Aesthetically pleasing- displaying beauty
- Environmentally friendly - made with appropriate materials
The basic design is that of 6 classrooms around a central courtyard, with "break-out spaces" between the classes as an alternative learning space, and a sheltered outside place where the whole school could gather. The roof would be vaulted, made of brick, and use would be made of local building materials and natural ventilation to keep the classes cooler. Because we failed to find water on the school site, we are looking at rainwater harvesting, to collect rain in large underground tanks, pumped up to a small water tower, as a means of providing water for drinking and cooking.
All this is the work of Richard Woods and team from Captita - a bunch of architects who in their spare time are helping us design the school.
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Richard came out recently, to see the school as it is running in a rented house, and he presented us with some of the team's great ideas for the school building. Other aspects of the design would include the raising of the school on a plinth to protect against flooding, the possible use of solar power, composting latrines, teachers' housing, and gardening, and sports areas within the school grounds.
We hope to start building later this year. Please pray for Richard and team and for us as we continue to finalise details and raise funds. If you want to support the school or find out more, follow this link to the Gorom-Gorom School Page.
Posted by Keith at March 17, 2009 03:10 PM
