Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design Professor Dijana Handanovic Becic and seven of her undergraduate Architecture students teamed up with Houston’s Awty International School and non-profit organization Schools for Children of the World (SCW) to raise money and build a new school in rural Buenos Aires village, fifteen miles from Comayagua, Honduras.
Professor Handanovic Becic and the students built a physical model of the Honduras school building envisioned by SCW. The students also produced several graphic representations, which were initially scheduled to be displayed at the annual Awty International Festival before the event’s cancelation due to COVID-19. COVID-19 unfortunately also halted the UH and Awty students’ plans to help build the school in Honduras over the summer. However, the students made the most of it, and the school now successfully houses children and their education!
Professor Dijana Handanovic Becic praises the joint program: “It was nice to see our students interact and build a relationship with The Awty School students. They were enthusiastic about this project and doing something good for the community in Honduras. I am proud of the relationship coming out of this project with the Awty School. There was even talk about starting a program with Awty International upper-level students and University of Houston undergraduate students.”
Health Fitness Revolution magazine praises Professor Handanovic Becic, University of Houston’s School of Hines, and Awty International School for collaborating for such a wonderful cause- they undoubtedly made 2020 that much brighter for the students now attending the school they helped build.
Professor Dijana Handanovic Becic is known for her philanthropic work and frequently uses her expertise in design and architecture to help non-profit organizations. The Hines College of Architecture and Design is known for its work in the community, including locally with its Community Design Resource Center and other partnerships worldwide. Schools for Children of the World and Awty International students raised more than $23,000, with the total cost of construction for the project estimated to be $22,000.
