A cement material, or binder, is an essential ingredient in most forms of building construction. Portland cement has become a widely accepted cementitious material, but it is more expensive than other binders and unsuited to small-scale production. In addition, although it is stronger than most alternatives, there are uses for which alternatives such as lime are more suited. Lime is versatile, durable and suitable for use in complex and intricate decorative and restoration work, as well as in simple buildings. If greater strength is required, a variety of materials known as pozzolanas can be added to the lime. Examples of pozzolanas include rice husk ash, brick dust and certain types of naturally occurring volcanic ash. The most successful material in any area depends on local primary resources and the development of appropriate technology. Lime gypsum and lime pozzolanas could be reintroduced successfully if more information were available and appropriate building standards enforced. This book brings together expert knowledge from around the world about the use of different alternative binders, presenting case histories which demonstrate the successes and the pitfalls, as well as practical information based on experience. A recurring theme in the book is the need to work towards the wider acceptance of lime, and alternative binders by: establishing realistic performance standards for alternative cements and getting these standards accepted in international, national and local building codes and standards. Establishing simple testing procedures to measure compliance with these performance standards; holding seminars and training courses and compiling case study material on existing production and use; and, initiating research and development projects of a practical nature.

Preface 7
Acknowledgements 8
Introduction 9
1 Credit interventions: context and history 15
Macroeconomy and policy environment
Experience with rural credit schemes
Summary
2 Women's work and income 23
Household based production
Control over income
Reproductive work
The importance of self-employment
Characteristics of women's enterprises
Dynamics and development patterns of women's enterprises
Summary
3 Women and finance 33
Savings
Decision making and place in production
Possibilities, problems and consequences of finance
Summary
4 Informal finance 43
Informal finance sources
Self-finance and loans from relatives and friends
Rotating and non-rotating funds
Moneylenders and pawnbrokers
Wholesale traders and shopkeepers
Sharecropping arrangements
Summary
5 Development programmes and 'semi-formal' 53
financial institutions
Credit within multiple service programmes
Income generating projects for women
Rotating and revolving funds
Savings and credit unions and cooperatives
Peoples' banks
Summary
6 Women and the formal financial system 69
Formal financial institutions and poor women
Barriers and possible solutions: a challenge to banks
Risk reduction
Transaction costs and incentives to banks
Long-term access to and sustainability of financial services
The performance of financial institutions
Summary
Epilogue 87
Appendix 1: Gender 91
Appendix 2: Symposium participants 93
Appendix 3: Symposium papers 95
Bibliography 97
6 FINANCING

Neville Hill

Stafford Holmes Stafford Holmes is a United Kingdom based professional architect not only with great enthusiasm for lime but also with much knowledge and experience. He has made inputs into projects in many different countries and has been involved with various groups promoting the use of lime.

David Mather