In mid February, we welcomed a team of nine architects, engineers, surveyors, a tourism consultant and a product designer from Engineering Ministries International East Africa. Their brief from us was ambitious: survey the peninsula (densely vegetated with some near-vertical slopes); design a rainwater harvesting and water distribution system; come up with attractive, functional designs using locally available materials for the main reception/dining building, cabins and permanent tent sites; design composting toilets, pathways and signage, staff facilities, and last but not least a boat house…..
This wonderful group of Christian professionals, most of whom were volunteers, worked day and night to exceed their brief. Those of us from the Kumbya Committee who were there during the week met regularly with them to discuss problems and solutions as we went along. It was great to have fresh perspectives on our original ideas.
We were thrilled that the team included Grace Poon, gifted graphic artist, who soaked up the atmosphere and helped us choose a name for the venture as well as and is coming up with inspired ideas for logos and other publicity material.
Back in Kigali at the end of a long week, the team presented their initial layouts and sketch proposals to an admiring audience of Kumbya Committee members. Now we’re in the process of emailing backwards and forwards with amendments and suggestions to the designs so that we arrive at a workable, affordable solution.
Thank-you, Chad, Willie, Tony, Denis, Brian, Michelle, Suellen, Megan, & Grace!
