Francis Kéré and the Life in Gando (2003)

"The existential needs of my countrymen have always guided my architectural principles" (F. Kéré)

Directly from our vintage collection, this short video dated 2003 shows the life of the Gando community and the efforts of a young Francis Kéré in bringing empowerment to his native village in Burkina Faso.

Schulbausteine für Gando, which means "Building Blocks for Gando", promotes development through education and sustainable architecture in Burkina Faso.

Schulbausteine für Gando was founded by Francis Kéré, who was born in the village of Gando in Burkina Faso, West Africa. He was the first member of his community to go to school. Through his education and a scholarship he came to Germany, where he studied architecture in Berlin. Having received the support of his family and community, Kéré felt a duty to reciprocate, and to this end, he set about designing and financing a primary school for Gando. He began by asking his friends to donate the money for one 'building block', and Schulbausteine für Gando became the fundraising arm for his first project.

Video © Christian Schottstädt 2003

Видео Francis Kéré and the Life in Gando (2003) канала fuergando