Community Center Restoration

Years ago, a missionary group arrived in Etanga, constructed a modest concrete structure, and left without instruction, follow-up, or connection to local planning. With no blueprint, oversight, or resources to manage it, the building sat unfinished and undefined. Over time, it became a symbol of a too-familiar pattern: outside intervention without long-term investment.

Today, the Etanga Development Foundation is working to reclaim and repurpose that space, on the community’s terms. The goal is not simply to rebuild a structure, but to establish a living, active hub: one that reflects local priorities, supports daily life, and anchors both cultural and economic growth.

The original building is now in disrepair. It lacks basic infrastructure: no electrical wiring, no water tanks or plumbing, no solar panels, no lighting, and no formal security. The surrounding area is underutilized, and the building remains vulnerable to the elements and misuse. Yet the bones of potential remain. With community input and leadership, we’re transforming that forgotten shell into a fully functional, multi-use space for Etanga’s youth, elders, artisans, and educators.

Planned upgrades include:

  • Electric wiring & solar panels for sustainable, off-grid energy

  • Water infrastructure, including tank collection, plumbing, and bathroom facilities

  • Security improvements including fencing, night lighting, and local staffing

  • Interior renovation for classrooms, craft workspaces, storage, and gathering areas

  • Furniture, equipment, and supplies to support programming

Once completed, the restored center will become the heartbeat of community activity — a space that holds both daily function and cultural purpose. Programming will include:

  • Youth and adult education workshops, from literacy to life skills

  • After-school tutoring and mentorship

  • Cultural heritage programming, led by local knowledge-holders

  • Craft production spaces for leatherwork, jewelry, and other traditional arts

  • A staging site for craft distribution to national and international free trade markets — creating sustainable income for women and families

This isn’t a community center in name only. It’s a space of return, to shared knowledge, economic possibility, cultural expression, and self-determined growth. It doesn’t carry the vision of those who once built it and walked away. It carries the vision of those who stayed — and who now choose to build something that lasts.