Ugandan Village Nawantale models itself on Taliesen West
By Mary AllanArizonan Taliesin West travels to Africa Via Glendale Community College Instructor Mary Allan
Glendale Community College English instructor Kay Grosso dreams big.
Courtesy of travel.howstuffworks.com
Nawantale and Taliesen incorporate local material in their design Grosso has recently enlisted the support of Taliesin West to help build to build a dynamic ecological and educational center for her adopted village of Nawantale, Uganda.
"A highly innovative challenge," says Victor Sidy, dean of Taliesin West
The introduction of the spirit of Frank Lloyd Wright into Grosso's Ugandan Community School Project is not as unusual as it may sound.
In keeping with the organic philosophy of Taliesin West, the Ugandans are very interested that the campus be built with the local ecology kept in mind. There are many natural materials that can be used, including the wonderful organic volcanic red rock.
"Together, we are creating a location for future small conferences, and a coursework center for our own, Ugandan, and global students to experience the solar-powered, self-sustaining 'green' philosophy that the village Elders and School Board desire. It's a terrific partnership," says Sidy.
When she arrived in Nawantele, Uganda, two years ago Grosso found a village that had been ravaged by a natural disaster. The need for food, clothing and shelter was apparent, so Grosso made a decision to help with those needs and eventually more.
The campus is inspired by the design initiatives from her Five Year Plan. It is going to be more than a welcomed schoolhouse.
One of the pressing problems is lack of medical attention. Grosso hopes that facilities can be set up to assess the health needs of all the residents in the following public health areas: HIV-AIDS, diabetes, vision, hearing, mental health, hygiene, nutrition and food preparation, prenatal care and others.
This complex is destined to be a hub for the community. In addition to classrooms, a library, and administrative center, guest lodging will be included. Moreover, according to the Nawantele website, "the future conference center will enable the Community School to sustain its major economic presence as both employer and institution of learning."
Grosso says, "The key idea is to learn about the ecological problems of history and to avoid taking the same, disastrous routes again. Education in this project is to empower, build, and employ."
The project will take five to ten years to complete. If you would like to be part of this innovative undertaking please donate to the "Buck a Brick" Fund by going to the website Click here if you would like to donate
