Mr. Mensah:
Welcome to our earthship! It might look like something from outer space, but it’s actually made from old tires, bottles, and other recycled materials. These thick walls keep the house cool, even on the hottest days, and warm during chilly nights.

Take a look at our big windows. They’re perfectly positioned to face the sun, letting in natural light and heat. We almost never need artificial lighting during the day, and the solar panels on the roof power everything in our home, from the lights to the fridge.

Over here is our rainwater collection system. Rainwater flows into tanks, where it’s filtered for drinking, cooking, and washing. Outside, we have our small garden filled with vegetables and herbs. The kids love helping out. It is amazing to see how much we can grow in a little space.

For work, I run a craft workshop in the village. I make furniture, tools, and even decorations from recycled and natural materials. Visitors to the ecovillage love buying unique, handmade items.

Mrs. Mensah:

Our old house in Accra was falling apart. Every rainy season, it would flood, and the heat was unbearable. I dreamed of a better life, but when my husband suggested moving to an ecovillage, I hesitated. Could we really live in a house made of mud and tires? What about Kofi’s education? How would we earn a living?

It felt risky to leave the city, but now I can’t imagine going back. The community here is amazing, and we’ve found ways to earn a living. Our houses are so unique that tourists visit all the time. People come to see how we have built homes using natural materials. This keeps the café I manage very busy. It is a huge success because of all the visitors. They love hearing about our sustainable way of life, and it’s exciting to show them what’s possible when you live in harmony with nature.  I prepare meals with fresh, local ingredients and even teach visitors how to cook sustainably. It’s become one of the highlights of the village. 

Kofi, our eldest son, studies in the city during the school term because the local school here only goes up to primary level. He always comes back during the holidays to help out. Our younger children still attend the local school. I do hope Kofi will move back here after he graduates. We need bright minds like his to drive progress in the village. After all, we are building a future here, not going back to the Stone Age.

Daughter:
Living here in the ecovillage is so different from the city. In Accra, everything was loud and cramped, and during the rainy season, I was always afraid the house would flood. Here, rain means fresh water for our tanks and the garden.

I help Mom in the café and Dad in his workshop. I’ve even learned how to build with recycled materials, mixing mud and stacking bottles is messy but fun.

• Imagine living in a house that runs on sunlight and collects its own water. How would you like to earn a living in a place like this? What could you do to help your family or community?