During my short period of living in Atlanta, I ran into this cool cat named Ratsack who was the only other natural builder in the area that I could find. Since I last saw him, it seems that his vision for community building projects has matured into a tangible form of several manuals for others to use for themselves. Check it out!

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www.yeamerica.org/febe

Festive Earthen Building Events (FEBE)

The FEBE (Festive Earthen Building Events) program involves bringing the community together around a series of festive events that culminate in the construction of a permanent artistic and functional structure, that is hand sculpted, using fun, safe, unfired earthen building techniques that are also very durable (cob, adobe, rammed earth, mud bricks). The program is a tool for individuals and teams who wish to make a positive difference in their schools or communities while promoting leadership and community empowerment.

The program is a mix of community organizing, art and science.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZING: Getting all elements of the community together, teamwork, volunteerism, making a positive difference, working together.
ART: Creating an artistic functional hand sculpted earthen structure, singing, dancing, writing, choreography, photography, audio and video recording, costumes, cooking.
SCIENCE: planning, project management, roles with responsibilities, promotion, production, advertising, event planning, event organizing, documentation, logistics, teamwork, education, unfired earthen construction technology, permaculture, shelter construction, architecture, design.

The FEBE manual has been developed for individuals and teams to lead their community through the process. It has been developed over the last 4 years with many hundreds of people in communities in USA, Mexico and Australia.

Please contact us if you are interested in bringing this to your school and or community.
ratsack@yeamerica.org