New approach to house building

The biggest issue with house building here in terms of the environment is that of brick making.
The soil, which is used to mould bricks comes from ant hills and may be better used as fertile soil. The Bricks are then fired using timber which has to be cut down. Then the bricks have to be transported which involves fuel, pollution, and cost (you should smell the lorries). Then of course the cement to build the bricks.
We are building this house at our citrus grove, for security reasons, yes they will steal the seedlings!!
The bricks are made in the field from subsoil and moulded with a sprinkle of cement and dried in the sun. We feel that we have found the most suitable soil mix after a few attempts. The bricks are built with the same soil, mixed on the spot. We put in a damp course (an innovation), one coat of cement plaster in and outside, with a lime wash. I would like thatch, but Malawians want metal sheets!!
Joe and King started today and I will keep an eye on progress, cost!! and see how green we can be.
For the Summer crew: the laying pullets gave us the first four eggs today. The last of the 150 chickens were sold today. The large male fish have been segregated. Mary met the City Assembly again this pm and more small progress was made.
The plug in modem is the best yet!!