14/09/2026
Going back to Pongwe Primary School after eight years felt deeply personal. It was one of those moments that reminded me why I chose this path.
In 2018, together with my team Tanzania Women Architects for Humanity (TAWAH), I visited Pongwe with a simple dream to help create a better learning environment for children with special needs. We mobilised funds and built a three-classroom block, hoping it would make a difference in the lives of the children who would learn there.
In July 2026, I returned with Saha Mohamed and Joyce Said and my heart was full. What I saw went far beyond the building we had left behind. The architecture, the low-carbon earth bricks, the colours, and the patterns we introduced had inspired other buildings that were constructed afterwards. Even the older classroom blocks now have access ramps, showing how one inclusive design intervention can influence an entire school.
The most emotional part of the visit was reconnecting with familiar faces. The matron, the school cook, and teachers still remembered me after all these years. Their warmth brought back so many memories of the journey we shared.
As architects, we often move from one project to the next. We rarely get the chance to return years later and witness how a place has grown and evolved. This visit reminded me that architecture is not just about designing buildings—it is about creating spaces that continue to serve, inspire, and belong to the people long after we have left. Some projects stay with you forever. Pongwe is one of mine.
