As a consultant from the ECOSouth Network I visited the NGO DUS-Bangladesh in January of this year. On this occasion I had the opportunity to attend some meetings between DUS-Bangladesh and Diran Insulator Factory Ltd. Diran had planned to construct a factory and roof it with MCR-tiles (2500 square meters). As MCR technology is relatively unknown in Bangladesh, DUS-Bangladesh and ECOSouth were asked to build the roof. Together Prof. Nolasco Ruiz and I worked out the design of the building and the quotation.

Las Mélidas – Certificates of Quality
On visits to nine MCR workshops, eight of which pertain to the Women´s Association “Las Mélidas”, five qualified for ECOSouth Certificates of Quality. The new workshops have the normal problems of beginners. Another workshop simply is notorious for its lack of interest in taking care of the equipment and tools.

We seek to adapt new technologies that foster soil improvement with the aim of environmental protection. Focuses include symbiotic planting of sorghum and sesame, use of organic fertilizers, integrated management of plagues, conservation of soil and water, fencing with plants, building of irrigation ditches, alternating pastures, and improved breeding of livestock. Energy-producing forests are complemented by means to guarantee wise use of firewood through improved cooking stoves.

During the last weeks of August, German Jiménez trained twenty women from the community of San José Argueta in Solola, Guatemala in various aspects of MCR production. The training includes themes such as preparation of the mixture, fabrication of the tiles, curing, quality control, and placing tiles on the roof.