“I first heard of Akilah after being involved with AfH-DC for about a year. After attending the first introduction meeting, I instantly fell for the ambition and promise of Akilah’s vision to empower Rwanda through education, and was highly impressed by the focus and organization of the Akilah team. After graduating from University of Maryland in 2007, I had been searching for a ways to focus my career on efforts to empower communities, and to heal and revive areas affected by disasters or adverse societal conditions. After spending a summer working with AfH and the Gulf Coast Community Design Center, and being involved in various international AfH-DC projects, I began to learn what it takes to bring positive change and development through grassroots action. Akilah has been blessed with a diverse group of goal oriented, passionate individuals, who not only shoot for the stars, but have the skill sets necessary to follow through with their goals.The core of Akilah, and what most motivates me while working on this effort, is its vision to empower Rwanda through uplifting young women. It is a wonderful combination of progressive thought and logic to spearhead a country’s development and growth by addressing the educational needs of a group long neglected, and so important to the structure of society. The focus on hospitality also has great synergy with Rwanda’s breath-taking landscape and natural features. Our design team has a phenomenal potential to take this vision and to mold spaces and create an exciting and engaging learning environment.
Working on Akilah has been one the most engrossing and beautiful endeavors I have encountered as an architect and a person. The chance to help cultivate new perspectives and opportunity in a young country redefining its direction from a troubled past is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am thankful for all the ways it has helped me grow, and look forward to seeing the campus reach all of its incredible potential in the future.”
-Shurid Rahman
Architecture for Humanity DC
“My Native American ancestry has played an important role in shaping how I see the world. From an early age I became aware of the disparity between ways of life in different parts of the United States. I vividly remember visiting the poverty of Native American reservations and thinking that we can’t possibly be in the same country where people are living in multi-million dollar mansions.
“In meeting with Elizabeth Davis and the rest of team, I feel comfortable to speak for AfHdc that we are both honored and energized to work on the Akilah Institute. Both their mission and compassion that was presented had convinced me that we need to support their noble efforts to improve the education of these Rwandan women. From my visit to Rwanda in 2008 and meeting all the people involved in the project (both in the US and in Rwanda) truly inspires me to make this vision, this dream a reality.”
“After receiving my Master’s Degree I was searching for my place in the world of architecture. When I first decided to work with AfHdc I thought I would just meet some new people and participate with some volunteer work. I had no idea the impact that this organization would have on my life.