ABOUT THIS PROJECT

The Jua Lekundu Foundation was created to respond to the need for an orphanage and community center. Because of the many orphans resulting from HIV/AIDS, there is a great need for a way to provide education, food, shelter, basic medical care, and life skills to the children of the community.

Architects Without Borders-Seattle was asked to provide a design to accommodate 100 children in a school and boarding house complex located on a plot of land donated to the foundation by the local elders.

AWB responded with the design of a sustainable facility, reflecting the needs of the Babati community. The design includes four classrooms and 12 dorm rooms for 50 boy and 50 girl students. Support facilities include staff housing, a health clinic, an outdoor kitchen, and an indoor/outdoor dining facility. The facility was designed to be a secure facility that can open to the community at times for cultural events and performances.

The grounds were conceived as a way to create assembly areas, play areas, and learning gardens that teach sustainable methodologies for food cultivation and provide healthy well water distribution.

Environmental, social, and economic impacts were considered throughout the projects development. Local materials and construction techniques were considered in the design, and the plan called for local tradesmen to participate in the construction so that they can learn skills and sustainable methods for future projects.

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The partner organization is in the process of raising the funds to move the project to the next phase.