Leprosy Foundation |
The organisation has a down to earth simplicity and warm humanity, both of which appeal to me. They even understand architecture and urban design better than many architects do. For example, the house built for Taurano in Kiribati in 2011 is elegant but minimalist. It has dignity but not ostentation. It is on village land so that she is near family members who can help them if necessary. It has a simple bathroom and water tank so that she no longer has to wash in the lagoon. The Foundation has also established a very small chicken farm so that she can be independent. Taurano had been badly affected by leprosy and her husband has had polio.
In the midst of an insane New Zealand culture obsessed with the economy the Pacific Leprosy Foundation offers a wonderful ray of hope and sanity. They understand the meaning of enough, They realise that architecture should set people free.
The photographs are borrowed from the February 2012 Newsletter of the Pacific Leprosy Foundation. Thanks. |