Our Projects
Birambye International works in communities of need around the world to grow and learn from their ability to become more self-reliant and to highlight their cultural heritage.
Current Enterprises:
Children’s Village Kigarama Orphanage Kitchen
Technology Development
- The first Bamboo Thin-Shell Concrete Structure built in Rwanda will be the Children’s Village Kigarama Orphanage Kitchen.
- Thin-Shell Concrete engineers, Al Knott and George Nez have developed strategies as members of Birambye for the unique context in Rwanda. They worked together for 30 years on relief residents in developing countries.
- Preliminary Load Testing has been completed in Al Knott’s UL Laboratories.
- For more information on Bamboo Thin-Shell Concrete Structures, download the Thin-Shell Manual.
Local Prototype
Above are photos of the full-scale model Birambye completed in
August 2008 of the CVK Kitchen in Denver, CO. The team learned
about thin-shell concrete in a new application and has forecasted the
challenges of building in Rwanda with limited tools and materials.
Local Partnership
Engineers without Borders CU Boulder Chapter built jet stoves
in July 2008 at CVK for the kitchens. These will be installed to
insure reduced use of wood for the community’s health and
reduced impact on the environment.
Implementation
To the left, is a photo of the foundation completed
by the CVK community. Birambye International will
travel to Rwanda at the end of September 2008 to
provide a workshop on building the Kitchen, which is
the first thin-shell concrete structure in Rwanda, and
will replace one of the four kitchens on site that is
beyond repair.
Anticipated Outcomes
The kitchen will be complete in October 2008 for the
community to use. The improved kitchen structure
provides convenience of storage, preparation, cooking
and eating space.
Capacity Building
Children’s Village Kigarama Community has requested to build two more kitchens in October 2008 independently, after the Birambye
team leaves Rwanda. The capacity building on the Birambye trip in September 2008 will support their growing need and interest in the
Bamboo Thin-Shell Concrete Structures
Birambye Lodge
Technology Development
- The lessons learned in the CVK Kitchen development will be applied to the Birambye Lodge in 2009.
- With no domestic infrastructure at the site, Birambye will use renewable energy sources that are the most efficient energy systems to minimize impact on the environment.
- Solar will be integrated into the power system with windmills as the primary power source. Mark Pitterle, Birambye International, will conduct workshops on handmade windmills with information on construction, operations, and maintenance.
Rwandan Partnership
Individual Rwandan contractors that work with
Birambye will provide solar panels and biogas
digesters, as shown in the photo above.
Local Partnership
Engineers Without Borders Johnson Space Science
Center/CU Boulder will provide a water collection,
sterilization and distribution system at the Birambye
Lodge to reduce the energy costs of imported
water.
Implementation
Birambye conducted particapatory planning with the CVK community to integrate local customs and ideals; and, met with local
jurisdictions and contractors in Rwanda, January 2008 . The Birambye Lodge will begin construction in the Fall of 2009.
Anticipated Outcomes
Profits from the Birambye Lodge will be given to Children’s Village Kigarama Orphanage to become a self-sustaining community
that has regenerating funding for investment in the education, sanitation, and any other needs. Genocide Student Survivors
Association will assist Children’s Village Kigarama Orphanage with ownership and management of the Birambye Lodge.
