“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