Project Name: Harambee Center

Project Type:
architecture

Project Mission/Goal:
improve the human spirit

Project Description:
While many say that charity begins at home, for Bernard Wharton and his family, it actually began in Africa. While on a safari to Kenya with Micato Safaris last July, Bernard (or B., as he is commonly known), along with his wife, Jennifer Walsh, and their four children visited the Mukuru district of Nairobi through Micato Safaris' Lend a Helping Hand on Safari program.

Inspired by that experience, B. and his family decided that they wanted to help the many women and children affected by the HIV/AIDS virus who call Mukuru their home. B. contacted Micato upon his return and offered his long-term assistance to their nonprofit arm, AmericaShare. When he learned that AmericaShare was working to build a new multi-purpose facility, the Harambee Home and Women’s Centre, for the inhabitants of Mukuru, B. offered to underwrite the entire costs for the construction and furnishing of the facility.

An architect and partner at Shope Reno Wharton Associates, B. recognizes perhaps more than most what kind of impact a new structure can have on a community.

An unprecedented endeavor in the heart of the country’s largest informal settlement, the Harambee Home and Women’s Centre was custom-designed to provide many much-needed resources at its multi-purpose facility. The three core buildings will be utilized as a dormitory for 32 AIDs orphans while they are home from boarding school during school holidays, as well as a community centre where all are welcome.

The complex will also house AmericaShare’s women’s group food program, a prime example of self-sustainability. The food program contributes greatly to the community at large by supporting upwards of 450 people twice a week, many of whom are either living with HIV or living with an affected family member. The opening ceremony for the Harambee Home took place in June of last year; B. and his wife were there for the dedication.

Text from http://www.adventurecollection.com/dons-blog/Adventures-in-Philanthropy

Links and Captions:
http://www.architecturaldigest.com/architects/100/shope_wharton/wharton_...
http://www.shoperenowharton.com/AD-2009.pdf
http://www.americashare.org/whatwedo.php
http://www.adventurecollection.com/dons-blog/Adventures-in-Philanthropy

Project Details:
Location: Mukuru, Kenya
Concept/Lead Architect(s)/Designer(s): Bernard Wharton
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Year (s): Opened in 2007
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Project Phase: Completed 2007
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Nominated by Kate Stohr

Location