The idea for a community center stemmed from numerous conversations with local Kenyan people in their homes over meals and tea. In 2004, CTC team members traveled from home to home discussing the needs within the community.The responses became predictable: water,education, health care,and opportunity. Through our relationships with the local people,the vision for a center to provide the basic needs voiced by the people was born.
Located at the T junction along the two roads leading to the safari and game parks that drive Kenyan economy, 80% of Kenya's tourist travel through Maai Mahiu each day. The community center will therefore be a place to generate income to local business owners by providing tourists a safe place to purchase goods.
The community center's water distribution,soccer fields,basketball courts, education/counseling classrooms, medical facilities, and inter faith chapel will serve this community with opportunity that isn't existent now. The community center will serve as a key component in this villages ability to become self sustaining.
The planned health center will include a full functioning pharmacy and help to combat the accelerating HIV/AIDS rate, infant mortality,and countless health care needs.
CTC recently partnered with the Schools of Architecture at the University of Kansas and the University of Nairobi. By establishing a study a study abroad program, the universities will design and construct the community center. Our vision is that the center will serve as the heart of the community instilling hope through the sharing of lives,while providing income, education,and opportunity. The Maai Mahiu community center will then serve as a model/template to be replicated for future projects
in other parts of Kenya and the world.
