Ministry Looks to Local Architect for Rwandan Youth Camp Project
SPRINGFIELD, MO – Long time Springfield Architectural firm, Butler, Rosenbury & Partners, Inc., is locking arms with Kids Across Africa, a Branson based not-for-profit, in building a 2.5 million dollar Christian sports camp in Rwanda.
The country of Rwanda continues to recover from the 1994 genocide that nearly wiped out a generation of people. Rwandan Pastor and Kids Across Africa Board member, Bishop John Rucyahana, lived through that time and understands the country’s need for deep healing. The partnership of BR&P and Kids Across Africa continues that healing process in Northern Rwanda.
At the new camp facility, youth of Rwanda will experience fun and spiritual encouragement while being equipped as servant leaders. The facilities will include a health center, pool, cabins, dining facility, indoor courts and game fields. The new camp will be built on a two hundred acre peninsula at Lake Burera in northern Rwanda. Kids Across Africa President, Jonathan Nimrod, sees the camp as an incredible opportunity for the youth of Rwanda, but an even broader vision exists.
“Kids Across Africa Camps-Rwanda will create a financial impact in Rwanda, fostering economic growth through employment and through purchase of resources locally when and where possible” Nimrod says. A goal has been set to make the financial impact a long-term benefit of the facility investment. Nimrod continues, “Plans call initially for eighty percent of the funding and staff to come from America and twenty percent from Rwanda. Our desire is to reverse these percentages within six years, with the ultimate goal of an indigenously self-sustained facility.” That commitment to local financial impact resonated with Butler, Rosenbury & Partners.
When the Branson, Missouri based organization came to BR&P they were looking for someone with a heart for mission and the resources to accomplish an international project. BR&P principal Bruce Adib-Yazdi approached this project as an opportunity to support a local ministry. “When Jonathan approached us with limited funds and a great vision, his passion for Rwanda piqued our interest”, said Adib-Yazdi. “BR&P’s commitment to this project has tapped into talent across our company and we are enjoying the process. It feels good to know that our work will help heal Rwanda for generations to come.”
The architectural portion of the Kids Across Africa project started in November 2009 and will be completed in the next several weeks. Key components of the development will be, green power sources, use of native materials and development of local craftsmanship through mentorships. BR&P has also had other team members participate in design and construction support ministries in Mozambique and Myanmar.
For more information about this BR&P international project and for interview opportunities, please call Mary Guccione at 417-865-6100. For more information about Kids Across Africa contact Jonathan Nimrod at 417-266-3374.
BR&P has offices in Springfield, Mo. specializing in architecture, structural engineering, interior design, and landscape architecture with a staff of more than 35 design and administrative professionals. The company is currently celebrating its 31st year in business.
http://www.brpae.com/news/press_release.html
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