BOTTLES2BRICKS: JUL-Aug-sep 2022
9/22/22
Our Bottles2Bricks initiative in Mbalmayo has come to a close. We overcame many obstacles and learned valuable lessons along the way. In the end, the project was a complete success. We created dignity, joy, and creativity as we shared our love of the planet while building a water tank, an outhouse, a retaining wall and a classroom using discarded plastic bottles. In total, we removed over 15,000 plastic bottles from the environment.
The town of Mbalmayo hosted an inauguration celebration today. The Mayor led a ribbon cutting ceremony to christen the new classroom. Excited students were eager to use the classroom that many of them helped to build.
No Plastic Drinks sends a heartfelt thank you and congratulations to everyone that took part in this project. We could not have done it without your support.
As Bottles2Bricks has received tremendous media coverage, we are already scouting out locations for our next project. Stay tuned for updates …
9/2/22
Bottles2Bricks has attracted national media attention. Our amazing volunteers appeared on the most popular morning show in Cameroon today.
Immediately after the show aired, we received numerous inquiries to bring Bottles2Bricks to other communities.
8/29/22
We enlisted the help of local school kids to clean up the work area in preparation for school next week. They are the stewards of the planet. By assisting with the clean up, they are learning to care for their surroundings and the environment. It was heartwarming to see their enthusiasm for the clean up.
8/24/22
The classroom now has a floor and doors.
8/19/22
We experienced a one week delay due to lack of roofing materials, but the materials were delivered earlier this week and our classroom now has a roof.
Our completed retaining wall after a coat of ocean blue paint. The multi-colored dots are the bottle caps.
8/11/22
Our team is creating a custom chalkboard at the front of the classroom and it is almost ready.
Meanwhile, painting continues on the outhouse. The star patterns are the bottoms of the plastic bottles, which have been accentuated with different colors.
8/4/22
Plastering of the classroom is complete as well as framing for the roof. Unfortunately, we are facing delays in getting the roofing sheets. We hope to get materials in the near future so we can complete the classroom in time for the school year which begins in early September.
8/3/22
Our productivity continues to increase. The roof of the classroom is taking shape, and we are on track to have the classroom finished before the start of the school year in early September.
Our outhouse has received its first coat of paint. More to come.
7/31/22
MBalmalyo is now home to the world’s most beautiful water tank.
The windows of the classroom will be constructed using a trapezoidal lattice pattern.
7/29/22
Today, we started plastering the classroom. Meanwhile, the water tank and outhouse are ready for painting. We have engaged a local artist to help us with the painting.
7/27/22
Today marks a milestone. The walls of the classroom are complete! Our team set the final bottle this afternoon. Next comes the roof.
Our classroom has become the talk of the town and is attracting quite a few visitors.
July 23, 2022
Our team continues to make excellent progress on the classroom. Doors and windows are framed in and local volunteers are providing a steady stream of filled bottles.
July 18, 2022
Construction of the classroom has been put on pause because the walls have grown and none of our volunteers are tall enough to place bottles.
Haha, just kidding. After 10 weeks of non-stop working, our team took a much needed break last week and resumed work today. We continue to make excellent progress on the classroom.
At this rate, we hope to complete the main structure in about 2 weeks.
July 7, 2022
Over 10 media channels visited the job site today. It included national and international television and radio coverage (BBC and others). Our volunteers have decided to put their Hollywood careers on hold as they deal with all the media attention.
July 6, 2022
Our team continues to make good progress on the classroom. The doors are framed in and the walls are coming up.
July 4, 2022
With the foundation complete, we started laying bottles to build up the walls of the classroom. The mayor of MBalmayo made his mark by laying the first few bottles.
Volunteers prepare additional bottles for the classroom.
July 1, 2022
Work continues on the foundation for the classroom. Construction of the walls using plastic bricks will begin next week. We will need approximately 12,500 bottles to build the walls.
