BR&P Intern Architect Brittany Layton recently traveled to the west African nation Burkina Faso on behalf of For Burkina, an organization that designed a school to be built in the rural village of Mourpougo. Layton, who co-founded the non-profit, collaborated with the organization buildOn and the Ministry of Education to build a structure that would comply with national standards and be responsive to the local climate and culture. The three-classroom, 150-student building had to be constructed out of materials found or made on site. With several skilled laborers and volunteers, concrete blocks were molded, rebar was tied for the columns and footings, and by using pick axes, the area for the foundation was dug.
Several moments stand out for Brittany, including the welcoming ceremony. When the team arrived, hundreds of villagers, who were singing and clapping, welcomed them to their home. The villagers then signed a covenant to promise to help construct the school as well as send their boys and girls in equal numbers to be educated. Afterwards they held a ground breaking ceremony where everyone gathered around the site. Representatives were called out to swing the pick ax into the ground to signify the beginning of construction. For Burkina is now beginning the process of designing 12 more schools for six more villages.
Butler, Rosenbury & Partners supports our employees’ individual contributions. In addition, the firm as a whole participates in local charity efforts through volunteering and donations. This year, BR&P participated in the United Way Day of Caring by partnering with Ozarks Food Harvest, a food bank serving southwest Missouri. We assisted them in running a food drive, collecting non-perishables for their pantry. We also participated in the Million Meals Pack-A-Thon for Friends Against Hunger. Members of our firm packed 1,728 meals which were sent nationally and globally. During the holidays, BR&P employees bought Christmas gifts for those in need through Great Circle.
Serving on community, professional and corporate boards is also important to us. By being effective leaders in these organizations, we can affect positive change in our community. Boards on which we serve include:
Young Architects Forum-Springfield
Mississippi State University School of Architecture Advisory Council
At BR&P we believe it’s important to impact our community!
For more information about Butler, Rosenbury & Partners, visit www.brpae.com, or call us at 417-865-6100.