Students in Goma, east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo have built a ‘Mad Max’ car using waste materials.
They’re in their sixth year of mechanics at the Institute of Technology and Industry. After two years of work, they have completed the construction of a vehicle out of waste materials. This accomplishment has been a source of pride for the group and their teacher, and the training is still ongoing today.
Mad Max was built by students aged 15 to 20 who used all of their technical skills. It’s the name they came up with for the car, which is shaped like a Land Rover safari model. The group of 12 young students had to overcome material and financial difficulties in order to make their dream a reality. Their efforts were rewarded, and the result exceeded their expectations after having used waste materials.
Each time we repair a car engine, if it is a diesel car we always check whether the injection pump is working and ensure that it delivers a consistent flow according to the data of the settings.” Crispin Muyalalo a teacher, explains
The vehicle was constructed from scrap metal and is powered by a diesel engine. A fuel tank is housed in a canister in the back. Mad Max consumes 1 litre of oil every 7 kilometres, allowing the car’s fuel consumption to meet international standards.
Since we used some discarded elements, we cannot give in detail the sum of money we invested in this project but it cost us around 2500$. Thanks to the car we built, we would for the world and the Democratic Republic of Congo to know that there are talents in the DRC and that the young people that we supervise are able to make great things. They started discarded elements and were able to turn them into something visible,” said Crispin Muyalalo
The students are hoping for help from the Congolese government and other benefactors to develop additional prototypes.
When are project was completed we saw the joy of the inhabitants of the city and suddenly everyone was interested in our project, Samuel Ntamwenge recalls. They promoted it on social media which proves their intention, but we need funding. They may have intention but without funding it remains insufficient. As time passes, we are sure investors will come.
