Traditional bricks are made from the red clay soil that is found 

in many of the upland areas of Malawi.  The clay is so common that 

kilns made be set-up virtually on the building site.  Sand for the 

mortar is collected from stream beds.  The cement would need to be 

purchased.  The poles for rafters come from wood lots.  Brick 

houses can have thatched or metal roofs.  In the case of the later, 

this would have to be purchased.  The is also a choice for windows; 

some people will use just wood shutters and others will purchase 

glass windows with welded metal frames.  The particular kiln is set 

in a small farm at the edge of one of Lilongwe's growing suburbs.