Capstone Project Statement of Purpose
For my capstone project, I chose to design a K–12 Christian academy and transitional living center in Cambry, Haiti, in partnership with God’s Vision for Haiti, a nonprofit ministry founded in Grand Rapids by Juska and Jona Lazarre. The objective of our capstone studio project was to pursue a project deeply meaningful to us, and this mission felt especially personal. God’s Vision for Haiti is an organization near and dear to my heart and one my family has been a part of since I was twelve years old, with my dad serving as treasurer of the board. Their commitment to investing in the lives of children and showing Christ’s love one child at a time has always inspired me to contribute in a way that extends beyond financial support or prayer. Haiti’s literacy rate is approximately 48%, with many children, particularly girls, lacking consistent access to education and a significant number leaving school before sixth grade due to them having to help support their families. Recognizing education as a critical need, the organization shared their dream of establishing a K–12 Christian school that would prioritize children from thier foster homes and church families. Through multiple conversations with the founders, I learned that their vision extended beyond academics; they hoped the school would also include residential living quarters for children awaiting foster placement, providing a safe and stable environment where they could live and learn simultaneously. This dual program introduced a meaningful design challenge by requiring a space that balanced institutional functionality with the warmth, dignity, and security of a home. My project sought to translate their hopes into architecture by designing a campus that fosters education, faith, community, and protection within one cohesive environment. Although the project began as a conceptual academic exercise, it became an opportunity to dream boldly on their behalf. Today, the organization has a school in Haiti that incorporates many design aspects inspired by my project and conversations with them, which stands as a testament to how vision, collaboration, and design can create real world impact.
