EWB Challenge: Live & Learn Vanuatu

LOCAL MATERIALS
 EWB Challenge: Live & Learn Vanuatu

STRUCTURES

Local trees are used for the structural beams, posts, and rafters of a shelter.

Bamboo is used for roof beams and woven into walls.

White-ants/termites are one reason why structural timber will have to be
replaced (left image)
 EWB Challenge: Live & Learn Vanuatu

STRUCTURES

Local materials may be supplemented by purchased materials such as concrete block (top middle) and corrugated iron sheet (top right)
 EWB Challenge: Live & Learn Vanuatu

USE OF THATCH AND WEAVING

EWB Challenge: Live & Learn Vanuatu

MIXED MATERIALS
Rocks and coral can be transported from the coast to build rainwater wells and tanks. Bags of concrete are available
from hardware shops in Luganville and mixed to provide reinforcement.
Chicken wire and steel reinforcement are sometimes used in concrete structures (bottom right image inside an underground tank
showing reinforcement)
 EWB Challenge: Live & Learn Vanuatu

LOCAL INNOVATIONS
Fuel for vehicles is not easy to come by
outside the main town of Luganville.
There are no petrol stations, so smaller
roadside shops will buy fuel and
distribute it using 2 litre glass bottles for
approx. AUD$5.00 each.

The gutters shown right are made from

bamboo, supported by local tree
branches. Bamboo guttering is a common
feature connecting homes and rainwater
tanks.

The torch shown below-right is used to

light the way when walking to the toilet
or between houses at night. Its made
from a coconut tree branch, folded up
and tied with its own leaves.