By Elizabeth D. Davis, CEO
The DC chapter of Architecture for Humanity is one of Akilah’s most important partners. Four of the AFH architects traveled to Rwanda in 2008 to begin the design process of the Akilah campus. Since then, they have been working hard on the renovation plans. See some of their drawings.
The AFH team at the Akilah campus in Bugesera in fall 2008
Shurid Rahman, one of the architects who came to Rwanda, wrote an article about Akilah in the AFH March newsletter. Download the newsletter.
Excerpt from the article:
The Akilah Institute for Women is a shining example of the importance of sustained and long-term humanitarian efforts in areas of disaster.
While removed from the 1994 genocide by over a decade and a half, the Institute addresses its sociological aftermath by providing opportunities to bright yet needy young women, many of whom are orphans, heads of their households, and all of whom are survivors. In the wake of terrible recent tragedies such as those in Haiti and Chile, the work of the Akilah Institute and their partners sheds light on the how the devastating effects of disasters reach far past the relatively brief news coverage given to them, and demand an honest, well coordinated, and lasting strategy by the international community.