programming/ brainstorming

Just a brief summary of the first home:

The Kithoka Amani (Peace) Community Home (KACH) is a way for orphans to have a safe and secure home in which they can expect to have their living, academic, social, health, and emotional needs met through a holistic and community-based approach. This home is not an orphanage, and the children are not taken away from their communities. Because this home is located within the community that the orphans currently live in, it allows them to continue to attend their local school and enables them to continue their close relationships with extended families.

International Peace Initiative – Northern Kenya

Over the last few years, Skansen has been working with IPI [www.ipeacei.org] to uplift the spirit and living standards of the local people by empowering them to raise their long-term quality of life. Skansen is the project manager for the Amani Community Home programme wiht the objective of designing and building at least 5 sustainable local Community Homes around the town of Meru. Staffed by community volunteers, these homes will provide local housing for orphans [largely due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic] throughout their education and also act as medical dispensaries. Built on land donated by local villages, once these homes are established, they will become self-financing beacons for sustainable economic development. Thus far we have channelled £125,000 through the Skansen Foundation in support of the community home programme and made numerous visits to Meru to assist with the construction works. Amani Home No1 (KACH) opens August 2009.

climate: dry desert

flora: acacia, scrub

stone: limestone?

temp: hot/ cold range( have to double check) but is 32F to 100F

land topography:5 acres: relatively flat/ rolling to the east

water:2 potable springs

programming:

village style homes with 6-8 kids each?? one story

bathrooms/ shower

kitchen

dining

meeting space for 100 people

gardens

solar/ wind energy ( have already been working with a dutch guy on this)

develop springs for bathing/ protection, farming

waste treatment system

crafts area

play area/ BB court/ skate ramp

accommodations for interns

eco resort houses (3)

plumbing inside

baths

close to springs

view

key words:

simple, light, playful, natural, safe, warm, comfortable, beauty, open, creative, inspiring, organic, oasis