Two months ago, on their trip to Lubumbashi, the Architecture for Humanity team was given an outstanding welcoming by the young girls of the Georges Malaika Foundation's school for girls.

Design fellow Oliver Kienzi was there on an initial visit to start working on the center #18 of the Football for Hope campaign. The Kalebuka FFH Centre is part of the development of the Georges Malaika Foundation's facilities in the Kalebuka community, outside of Lubumbashi, second largest city of the Democratic Republic of Congo, located in the Southeaster part of the country.

Oliver with the girls at the welcoming ceremony

The primary purpose of the Georges Malaika Foundation is to provide education to young women and girls in the DRC, but its influence in stimulating positive change has already extended far beyond the scope of education. The connection between development and health as well as proper sanitation is undeniable and the focus on access to clean water, medical supplies & equipment has been a valuable focus of GMF projects. The organization served as a liaison to bring two wells that provide fresh drinking water to the school’s pupils and the community of Kalebuka leading to an improvement in quality of life.

GMF Staff at the center

The site for the future FFH center

Road leading to the site

Oliver just finished the schematic design (pdf) and has submitted it for approval. The key lines from the Design Concept:

• Linear, economical building parallel to site border and Route Munama, at corner of site near access road from Route Munama
• Simple, single pitched roof
• Large roof overhangs provide shelter from sun and rain and create outdoor spaces for social interaction and activities such as classes, workshops, socializing, playing, viewing of football games and waiting for health services provided in the center
• Football pitch parallel to new building and near North-South orientation for sun-path consideration
• Space between building and football field: used for festivities, games, match viewing

The materials used will be similar to the ones used for the GMF School. Use of Hydraform bricks for the walls infill which will be fabricated on site by worker and members of the Kalebuka community using soil from the site, water and cement. GMF possesses the block making machine required.
Concrete frames for the columns and beams and rocks from the site and sand & cement for the foundations.

Physical Model of the project

Proposed plan

Elevations