Pendeza Shelters Training on Eco-Housing in Kasangulu, Kinshasa, DRC (October 2024)

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In October 2024, Pendeza Shelters conducted a comprehensive training on eco-housing in the Kasangulu region of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. The training primarily targeted youth, including both men and women, and also involved experienced brick masons. The inclusion of masons was strategic, as their prior construction experience allowed them to quickly grasp the skills and share the knowledge with others. Additionally, engineers participated in the training, drawn by their interest in adopting eco-friendly technologies within the construction industry.

Training Highlights:

The participants were introduced to the complete process of constructing eco-houses, including:

  • Bottle collection: Sorting plastic bottles by size, color, and design.
  • Compaction: Transforming plastic bottles into eco-bricks.
  • Construction: Building using eco-bric

A total of 18 individuals, comprising 14 youth and 4 engineers, participated in the training. Together, they constructed a house from the foundation up to the roofing stage. Key skills taught included:

  • Mixing appropriate material ratios.
  • Placing eco-bricks.
  • Using tools such as spirit levels and water levels for accurate measurements.

Community Engagement:

The training incorporated advocacy and awareness campaigns, reaching over 600 people in the Kasangulu region. These sessions emphasized the importance of plastic waste management. In addition, 56 youth actively engaged in collecting, sorting, and compacting plastic waste, resulting in the production of 20,000 eco-bricks. The project successfully educated the community and instilled environmental awareness.

Collaboration with Engineers:

The training was enhanced by the involvement of engineers from Enterprise Congolaise du Batiment Et Des Travaux Publics, who brought diverse expertise. ECBTP is a construction company founded in Kinshasa, serving both public and private organizations throughout the Democratic Republic of Congo. The company offers a broad range of civil and architectural engineering services, including studies, feasibility assessments, design, construction, management, supervision, and quality control of works. Established in 2018, ECBTP is an applied engineering firm with a strong presence in the fields of architecture and civil engineering.

ECBTP has demonstrated a high level of expertise and professionalism to ensure the quality of projects and deliver exceptional service. The firm provides customized solutions for each assignment, viewing each one as a unique challenge. Through a service-oriented approach and attentive customer listening, ECBTP aims to meet the specific needs of its clients. The company has completed numerous projects in Kinshasa and across the country. Its team is experienced and well-qualified to handle multidisciplinary tasks.

Some of the core competencies of ECBTP include:

• Various studies and expert consultation in the execution of civil engineering works (culverts, dykes, dams, etc.), as well as architecture.
• Construction of infrastructure and road structures (commercial parking lots, roads, canals, tunnels, etc.), and architectural design of buildings.
• Design and planning of new projects, including streets, sidewalks, pedestrian paths, and other municipal engineering needs

Christian Kilolo

Creative architect

Creative architect with a strong sense of rigor and an analytical mind. with 6 years’ experience

Engineer Muyeka Ngongia Arnauld

Technical Director

With 14 years’ experience.

Engineer Matwaka Nzundu Marcelin

Director Finance and Logistics

With 14 years’ Experience

Engineer John Mundabi Kibundu

Director/CEO and Surveyor and topographer Technician

With 14 years’ Experience

The engineers were not only eager to learn about eco-construction techniques but also shared valuable knowledge in areas such as mixing ratios, pillar spacing, and material selection. Their collaboration ensured the training ran smoothly and efficiently.

Key Outcomes:

  1. Eco-Housing Construction: By the end of the training, the house was built up to the window level and ready for roofing. This demonstrated the participants’ ability to quickly learn and apply eco-construction skills.
  2. Skill Development: The training equipped the youth with practical, employable skills in eco-construction while fostering a sense of environmental stewardship.
  3. Community Building: Participants from different villages developed strong bonds, working together as a cohesive team.
  4. Youth Awareness: Since the training took place at a school, children aged 4–16 from both lower and upper sections of Ekimeli School were also involved. This initiative helped instill a mindset of environmental responsibility at an early age.

The training concluded successfully, covering all stages of eco-house construction, including laying eco-bricks, filling with bonding mortar, and finishing the interior and exterior. It was an inspiring initiative that not only advanced eco-friendly construction practices but also empowered the local community with new skills and opportunities.

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