Transformational Community Benefits
Future Earth believes sustainable socioeconomic development in rural Africa requires a holistic approach. We must build multiple links of the development chain simultaneously to help people get beyond a daily battle for survival. It is not sufficient to provide just solar panels or just water filters. We must provide a comprehensive solution - providing shelter, power, water, food, and income - for if any link in the chain fails, if households struggle for food or housing or health or income, the entire development chain fails and the impact of support from investors is muted and ineffective.
Future Earth invented the patented iRise Home to drive unprecedented rural development in African communities
Community members participating in Future Earth's agroforestry model receive a new house equipped with solar power, water filters, malaria nets, clean cookstoves, and an Internet access device.
“The impact on the lives of women and girls is remarkable. When I see the iRise program I see a mirror image of my own vision for development. The project provides a strategic rural transformation revolution.”
Former President Dr Joyce Banda
Chair, Community Development Initiative
“This project does not see political colour, it is the wish of the President that every Malawian regardless of their political affiliation, must benefit from this project.”
Special Advisor to the President
Hon Ephraim Chivunde, Govt Malawi
The iRise Home Building System
The patent-pending house building system was designed to address specific challenges faced by rural African households. Design features include:
Mass-manufacturable the house is truly affordable
Modular and Expandable the house can be expanded, seamlessly adding new rooms of virtually any size, as the family grows and income increases
Renewable made from renewable materials the house replaces traditional wood-fueled, kiln-fired bricks mitigating large quantities of CO2 emissions
Each iRise house acts as a delivery mechanism for high social impact by including solar panels, clean cookstoves, water filtration, waterless sanitation, mosquito screens and nets, and digital access devices.