Watch Building Hope - The Story of Mahiga Hope High School

Building Hope - The Story of Mahiga Hope High School is a documentary film that tells the uplifting story of how the community of Mahiga, Kenya came together to build a school for their children. The film was released in 2011 and was directed by Derek Watson. The film's cast of characters includes many of the people who made the school possible, including Wangari Maathai, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning environmentalist who helped spearhead the project. Other key players in the story include Cameron Sinclair, the founder of Architecture for Humanity, who helped design the school; the parents and children of the Mahiga community, who worked tirelessly to raise funds and build the school; and the team of volunteers who traveled to Mahiga to help with construction.

The film begins by introducing us to the town of Mahiga, a small community in rural Kenya where many families struggle to make ends meet. The existing school in Mahiga is overcrowded and understaffed, and many children don't make it past primary school. This is a major concern for the parents in the community, who know that education is the key to their children's future.

Enter Wangari Maathai, who has a vision for a new kind of school in Mahiga. She wants to build a high school that will not only provide a high-quality education for the children of the community but also serve as an example of sustainable architecture and environmental stewardship. Maathai and her team of volunteers begin by raising funds to purchase land for the school and then work with Cameron Sinclair and his team of architects to design the building.

As construction begins, we see the community of Mahiga come together in an incredible show of support. Parents and children work side by side with volunteers, using whatever tools and materials they have on hand to build the school. The process is messy and chaotic at times, but everyone is determined to see the project through to completion.

Throughout the film, we see the challenges and setbacks that the community faces. At one point, the school's construction is put on hold due to a lack of funds. In another scene, heavy rains threaten to wash away the school's foundation. But through it all, the people of Mahiga persevere.

The film also highlights the innovative design of the school, which features rainwater harvesting, solar power, and other sustainable features. The school's unique architecture is not only beautiful but also functional, with classrooms and gathering spaces that are designed to promote collaboration and creativity.

In the end, Building Hope is a story of triumph over adversity. It is a testament to the power of community and the potential for change when people come together for a common goal. The school that was built in Mahiga not only provides a high-quality education for the children of the community but also serves as an inspiration for others around the world.

Building Hope - The Story of Mahiga Hope High School is a 2011 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 12 minutes.