Brick Making at Nyangombe

Every two years we make around 70,000 bricks at Nyangombe for use on new buildings. Part of the training for the Trainee Builders is to know how to select the correct anthill clay (without gravel) and how to build a stable brick kiln.

After building, we bring in tons of chopped up 'dead fall' trees from the bush and fire the kiln for up to six days and nights. Brick doors are built up when furnaces are stoked to slow down burning and minimise the quantity of wood used The bricks when cooked will take at least a month to cool before they can be used.

Learning the art of firing good bricks is part of the training our aspiring building trainees take away with them. Many past trainees using acquired skills gained at Nyangombe have built their own permanent houses of burned bricks which will last a lifetime.