Elizabeth D. Davis, CEO
Elizabeth and Michelle Bove, from AFH-DC in front of the Akilah presentation
I attended a fundraiser for Architecture for Humanity in DC this weekend. This team of architects is responsible for the design of the Akilah campus in Bugesera district. They first came to Rwanda in the fall of 2008 and they have been volunteering their time to design a campus that incorporates local materials, sustainable design, and alternative energy.
Their vision and dedication to Akilah will make it possible for us to renovate an old red brick school on Lake Cyohoha that was provided by the Rwandan government. It will eventually house hundreds of young Rwandan women who will live and study on campus, while learning more about sustainability. In our first meeting, I told the AFH team that I have a fascination with composting toilets- and could we please figure out a way to incorporate this into the campus? I was proud to see a large poster at the event that detailed the design of a composting toilet and its environmental benefits.
I was honored to speak as an AfH “client” and tell the crowd about the incredible dedication and vision this team has shown us over the years.
The Akilah display
“When I completed my independent study in Brazil I felt I developed a responsibility to continue applying the techniques and sustainable development practices that I learned at a grassroots level. I joined the Architecture for Humanity’s Project Akilah team, in hopes to continue to apply these skills but ended up being part of something much more amazing then I could have imagined.
“Before I knew it, I had spent a year and a half after college, working at a mid-size firm and learning extensively about construction. Though the work was fascinating and the projects grandiose, something was lacking. My quest to fill this void ended with my introduction to AfH-DC, and shortly thereafter, Project Akilah.
“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.