Casa de Paz e Luz (House of Peace and Light)

As a ceramic artist I was excited about building with Earth, using traditional forms of architecture and building with Earth enables use of materials that are more environmentally sound, readily available and less expensive. Working this way also reinforces to the children, that there is much to be proud of in the history and heritage of their culture; and to emphasize the validity of traditional techniques. Most importantly I wanted the children to be involved in the construction of their own creative space.

The goal is to empower the children, by giving them an opportunity to be expressive and build together, for a more conscious future in which every individual has an opportunity to contribute for the benefit of the whole.

I hope to restore to these children a pride in their own cultural heritage, and a belief that they have the power to manifest what they want in the world.

Upon my return much had changed at the Cooperativa, they had received money from the British consulate and had developed many new buildings, but there was still space set aside for my project. In spite of much objection, discouragement and disbelief that the boys would help me with the work, I was allocated to a group of 20 young homeless boys who were living in a shack nearby. We worked together every day for 2 weeks to create what they decided to call the 'Casa de Paz e Luz'. Every boy had a part in the project, and it was incredible experience for all involved. Again, most of the boys could not read or write. I used the process of building to teach them practical math, and to encourage them to write, documenting the process. I would quiz them on methods and skills they had learned. We started with a wooden structure, the low walls were 'woven' slats of wood, know as 'wattle'. We laid a concrete foundation for longeivety and a thatched roof, (it rains a lot in this part of Mozambique). Finally we covered the wooden walls with mud, 'daub'- and made relief decorations in the surface. This technique, used in various parts of Africa, was also used in many parts of Europe. It's called 'Wattle and Daub.' Many of the old thatched cottages in my home town were built in the same way in the middle ages, and are still standing.

The project was featured on the BBC World Service Africa website. I recorded the whole process with photos and words, but upon my return to San Francisco my house was burglarized, and my computer stolen. All my records were lost, except images I had sent to friends, which you see above. My work there is not finished. When we completed the class room there was a huge celebration attended by the whole community. Everyone agreed it was a huge success and they are waiting for my return to build another, much needed classroom at the school on the outskirts of town.