From Clay to Classrooms: An Architect's Dream to Advance Education in Africa

In September 2010, Canadian architect Alan R. Roy left for Tanzania to realize two long-held dreams - climb Mount Kilimanjaro, and build a school. He accomplished both, and ended up building two schools, in five weeks! One school is in the impoverished district of Majengo in Arusha, and the other in the village of Gongali, on the doorstep of Tanzania's world-renowned safari country. This is the story of his amazing adventure, a journey of discovery, full of colourful insights and amusing incidents that expose the charm and friendliness of a struggling people determined to educate their children. Roy balances the serious business of construction with an openminded willingness to learn and celebrate the local culture, and takes from this experience a renewed determination to make a significant improvement to the lives of a growing number of African children.

Alan R. Roy grew up in Cornwall, Ontario. After graduating from Royal Military College, he spent four years in various Canadian and overseas postings. His architectural degrees from the University of New South Wales and RAIC Syllabus preceded 32 years in the architectural profession, the last 15 with his own firm. His previous memorable humanitarian experience was working with ex-president Jimmy Carter in the Lower East Side Habitat For Humanity project in New York City. He lives with his wife Maureen, a nurse clinician, in Victoria, B.C., where he has established the office for the new charity, Primary Schools For Africa Society.