Education Gambia, The Project #76294

School Construction Workshop in Rural Gambia

by From Roots to Roof

Summary

Since 2015, the Banko Foundation has developed Kantona, a rural campus near Karsi Kunda, Gambia, linking local knowledge, art and earth architecture through workshops with young architects. The 5th building, a community market, will host trade, performances. Built with earth bricks, ventilated shelves and rainwater collection, it shows how to build more with less. Donations fund materials, local labor and community events. @From_roots_to_roof https://from-roots-to-roof.my.canva.site/

$25,000
total goal

$25,000
remaining

0
donors

0
monthly donors

12
days

Challenge

In rural Gambia access to jobs is difficult and many young people are forced to move to other villages. This dynamic has led to an exodus towards the cities, therefore leaving rural villages without true long-term prospects. Additionally in the village of Karsi Kunda most people work in agriculture and have to walk several hours just to sell their crops in the local market. Access to markets has an important impact of everyday lives and represents an important daily or weekly task.

Solution

Although the situation is complicated, Gambia has a lot of earth construction skill that is unpreserved and deserve more attention especially as concrete is replacing traditional construction. Though the valorization of the local skill, the creation of a skill transfer platform between elder craftmen and the youth and a thorough attention to low-tech engineering, this project aims to show a modernization path foreward that is respectful to heritage, social dynamics and economic necessities.

Long-Term Impact

The project aims to have a mid-term impact of helping the village of Karsi Kunda get more connected and economic development through the market affecting the lives of all the village. But more long-term impacts are also important to us: this project aims to rekindle attention to earthen craftmanship and promote an environmentally and socially sustainable development of rural Gambia. To ensure this, a diffusion of craftmanship and a valorization of what is there is at heart in this project.