Masoro Community Center | Masoro, Rwanda

The Association Dushyigikirane is a cooperative founded and operated by the widows of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Based in the rural village of Masoro, 20 km outside of the capital Kigali, Dushyigikirane’s 800 members run more than 10 economic and social service projects – the Dushyigikirane’s orphanages, dairy farm, fishery, bakery, and basket weaving projects benefit not only its members, but the entire village of Masoro. In 1997, Dushyigikirane designed and implemented a planned village for 70 of its homeless members. Though they lacked professional knowledge and adequate funds, their design was informed by the lived experience of the widows and addressed a comprehensive set of spatial and infrastructure issues.

Currently, GA | C is working with Dushyigikirane to plan and design their new village of 100 home and an accompanying community center. The first phase of the project will include the community center complex with an auditorium, information technology office, workshops, nursery school and job training center.