MCR Standards in Zimbabwe
”I am proud to confirm that Zimbabwe now has MCR National Standards,” wrote Dr. Kuchena, director of the Building Technology Institute of SIRDC. After a series of committee meetings where drafts, drawings, etc. were discussed, the process begun by the BTI in September of 2001 came to a successful close by the end of 2002. Backup support was provided by Harare MCR producer Maytee Campos and EcoSouth consultant Peter Dunckley. Congratulations to the entire team!

Guatemala – investigation about plaster underway
In Guatemala field work for the investigation about plastering clay walls is underway and in December clay houses were visited and the plastering analyzed and samples taken from 76 different sites. At the university laboratory 76 corresponding test patches were made on a clay wall. In five spots on the wall, they will attempt to pull a piece of the plaster off each sample. This is but one of several tests that will be performed by the group of students and their tutors at the University of San Carlos.
The students are discussing the need to deepen their understanding about traditional rural architecture and construction technologies and they are hoping to broaden this investigation.