3h in Nkolbisson, Yaoundé

Two years of weekend work, paid for in stages as money came in. The roof went up last, once the walls had a season to dry out.

7h in Bonamoussadi, Douala

The original house stayed put. We built the second unit behind it, facing the courtyard instead of the street.

12h in Bafoussam

No firing, no transport cost. The press does one brick every forty seconds once the mix is right.

1d in Garoua

Twelve households, one contribution list, and a driller who gave us a fair rate for the whole street at once.

1d in Kribi

We didn't rebuild it, just fixed what was failing: new tiles, a proper drip edge, and screens against the harmattan dust.

2d in Yaoundé

Instead of fighting the slope with retaining walls, the plan steps down with it, three short flights across the whole footprint.

3d in Bamenda

Cut, lashed, and standing within a day. It comes down just as fast once the walls are past the second floor.

4d in Makepe, Douala

We added one room a year, whenever there was enough saved. The kitchen came last, once the family had outgrown cooking outside.