Uncleared site

Images of the Building Roots Project Apirede Phase 1 site before clearing

Uncleared site

Images of the Building Roots Project Apirede Phase 1 site before clearing

Uncleared site

Images of the Building Roots Project Apirede Phase 1 site before clearing

Uncleared site

Images of the Building Roots Project Apirede Phase 1 site before clearing

Uncleared site

Images of the Building Roots Project Apirede Phase 1 site before clearing

Site Selection

Apirede Phase 1 began with the site already chosen and purchased. It was of modest size, around 100' x 100', with a gentle slope towards the main road. Fully grown banana trees and high grasses completely covered the site, evidence of Apirede's fertile soil and tropical climate.

Site Preparation

Rubble from site excavation

Foundation Preparation

Site Preparation and Clearing

Once site planning and design were complete we hired a local excavator to clear the site and prepare for construction.

Brick Production

Mud bricks produced on site

Brick Fabrication

Mud bricks were produced using local techniques and dried in the sun. Bricks were assembled before the construction process and additional bricks were created using the earth excavated during site clearing.

Construction

Adding finishing touches to ceiling

Finished Building

Front facade elevation

Finished Building

Side elevation

Finished Interior

Construction and Finishing

Construction was completed within a month.

Grain Processing

Corn ready to be milled

Grain Processing

Grain and mill machine

Grain Processing

Corn running through mill

Grain Processing

Running grain through the mill

Grain Processing

Finished corn meal

Fully Operational Corn Mill

Villagers bring corn to the mill to be processed into corn meal. Equipment is operated by the client's nephew and other trained employees.

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Cooking Banku

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Supporting the Banku Business

Banku is a popular Ghanaian dish that many women in the village cook. The mill services allow local women to process their secret recipe grain mix to make banku in their homes. After cooking up a delicious banku meal, these entrepreneurial women can sell it around the village for extra income.