10/18/2026
Students are making ISSB blocks! Why?
Construction is moving quickly on our new Bright School toilets and renovations on the kitchen and bakery, thanks to a Rotary International grant. Recently, students in our Construction Club learned how the ISSB (interlocking, soil-stabilized blocks) process works, by doing it themselves along with our trained workers.
First, the soil is excavated from the construction site by workers with shovels, removed in wheelbarrows, and piled high. Then the dry soil is sifted when a worker throws a shovel full of soil through a screen. A bit of water and a bit of dry concrete mix are mixed into the sifted soil by a worker with a shovel.
Then two shovels full of the mixture are lifted into the pressing machine (the handle sticking up in the air), leveled off, and covered. A very muscular worker pulls down on the handle, HARD. The handle is raised, a worker quickly lifts the block out, and another bucket full of mixture is put into the press. ALL by hand! The wet blocks are then set out to dry for about 2 weeks—before they become our beautiful interior and exterior walls.
This ISSB process is environmentally friendly (far less concrete, soil is on site, no kiln, no delivery charges for the finished product) AND the blocks are just as strong as fired bricks. We now have four buildings on our campus using this technology. These structures beautifully blend into the mountainsides of Rwanda.
To see the ISSB process in action, watch this 34-second video on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHbrp_9rKgI
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Discover TEACH Rwanda’s evidence-based approach to world-class education, and our demonstration school, Bright School at https://youtu.be/4_Zmlg6v8u8 and at www.TEACHRwanda.org.
Interested in TEACHER MENTORING to implement joyful learning through play and projects? TEACH 4 Transformation (T4T) sparks innovation with the CBC. Contact [email protected].
FUND A FUTURE! Provide scholarships for 76 vulnerable Rwandan children at Bright School.
Curious about ecologically friendly, more affordable STELA® Eco-Bots™? Contact Godwin Mutwarasibo at [email protected] for more information.
Three easy ways to donate to TEACH Rwanda! In Rwanda, donate with our MoMo code: 502486. Worldwide, go to www.TEACHRwanda.org. In the USA, send a check to TR at 1787-C Chateau Place, Easton, PA 18045.
Go green! Check out our new book—"Natural & Recycled Resources: Learning Materials for Pre-Primary and Primary Students: Find, Play, Understand.” Available in Kigali bookstores, at the airport, and from TEACH Rwanda.
Eco-Bots
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