Volunteering with Potter's for Peace

​15 kilns in 15 days
This was a unique project with a unique donation to build 18 kilns in San Juan de Oriente, Nicaragua in just a few weeks. They put out this open call (advertisement as seen on the left) requesting volunteers, and I ceased the opportunity and went.

Images below are pictures from constructing one of the two kiln designs. Same design from multiple building sites.

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1. Base Levels:
Leveled block base, first brick layer, first level of walls, the flue, stoking holes, and opening to body of kiln.

2. Floor of kiln, continuation of walls, flues to chimney and start of chimney's base.

3. Chimney

4. Arch of kiln
​The cut barrel is permanently left inside of kiln. The trickiest part of the kiln build is getting arch to come up at consistent level and even to attempt to have a consistent key brick.

5. Completed Kiln
It is a wood burning double cross draft wood to be fired to bisque temperatures.

A few of the families that were receiving the kilns and some of the volunteers. 

Potters for Peace, is a non-profit that partners with local people in the developing world. They help rural potters become self-sustaining through access to local resources. This sustaining model builds skills and empowerment for future success of the villages. Potters for Peace also promotes simple, affordable ceramic water filter technology that brings life-saving clean drinking water to communities in developing parts of the world.