Milestone 01
The foundation
Journeyman International officially incorporates as a nonprofit, laying the foundation for a new model of humanitarian architecture.
Humanitarian design,
grounded in partnership.
Journeyman International is a nonprofit design organization working with communities and mission-driven partners around the world. We bring architects, engineers, builders, and project leaders together to create schools, clinics, community centers, and other essential places. Our strength is listening closely, designing within real cultural and construction constraints, and carrying local priorities into thoughtful, practical, buildable solutions.
Our mission
Design and build safe, resilient and respectful buildings that bless lives.
Inspire and train the next generation of humanitarian designers.
Our approach
Our model
Listen
We begin with the voices and dreams of the community.
Connect
We pair professional or student volunteers with our humanitarian partners.
Design
Our teams craft sustainable, world-class solutions.
Build
We oversee construction as a quality and fiscal control agent.
Transform
Projects become safe havens that uplift entire communities.
2009—Today
A history of
design in service.
The moments that shaped Journeyman International—from one nonprofit idea to a locally led global practice.
Swipe or use the arrows to explore
Milestone 02
Our first global project
The first international project is completed in Belize—the beginning of Journeyman International’s global footprint.
Milestone 03
The next generation joins
The University Partnership Program launches, connecting architecture students with real-world impact projects and experienced mentors.
Milestone 04
Women build the future
Construction begins on a women-built hospital in Ethiopia—a landmark project advancing gender equity in construction.
Milestone 05
25 projects and growing
Journeyman reaches 25 completed projects, expanding into Africa, Asia, and Central America for the first time.
Milestone 06
Ready when it matters
An emergency dormitory for Nicaragua’s Young Life Camp is completed in record time to support youth programming.
Milestone 07
Built local
The M2535 vocational training campus breaks ground in the Dominican Republic, while Dar Douar Primary School opens in Morocco using locally sourced materials.
Milestone 08
A long partnership begins
The Sunzu Village masterplan begins, sparking nearly a decade of community-centered design work in Rwanda.
Milestone 09
Project 100
Journeyman completes its 100th project: the ASFA Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Center in Rwanda.
Milestone 10
Led locally
The Rwanda office opens, establishing Journeyman’s first locally led regional hub for design and construction in Africa.
Milestone 11
Knowledge shared freely
The Humanitarian Design Guide is released as an open-source resource, empowering volunteers around the world to design for good.
Milestone 12
A school in Bali
Suwandi Primary School is completed, deepening Journeyman’s partnerships and presence across Southeast Asia.
Milestone 13
150 global projects
Journeyman surpasses 150 projects worldwide as demand for thoughtful humanitarian architecture continues to accelerate.
Milestone 14
Designing for recovery
The Handspun Hope Rwanda campus expansion begins, supporting trauma recovery and economic empowerment for at-risk women.
Milestone 15
A second regional hub
Journeyman opens its Indonesia office in Bali, creating a regional design hub for Asia-Pacific partners.
Milestone 16
A new chapter in West Papua
Child Aid West Papua holds its grand opening ceremony—another community vision made tangible through partnership.
Our people
The team behind
the mission.
President & Founder
Daniel Wiens
Daniel founded Journeyman International as his senior project at Cal Poly. He is passionate about connecting service-minded professionals with great needs around the world and has grown JI into a global movement delivering schools, hospitals, and community centers.
Construction Administration Director
Garrett Lord
Garrett oversees the transition from design to construction, ensuring JI projects are executed with quality, efficiency, and long-term sustainability. As an architect committed to humanitarian service, he bridges technical detail and the heart of each project.
Global Director of Project Delivery and Partnership
Joanna Nsenga
Joanna leads global architectural projects and mentors students designing sustainable infrastructure. A licensed architect with experience across East Africa, the United States, and the EMEA region, she brings technical expertise, cultural fluency, warmth, and optimism to every project.
Design Intern
Blaise Mugisha
An architecture student at INES Ruhengeri, Blaise supports JI’s Kigali team through site analysis, schematic design, 3D modeling, renderings, and presentation materials. He has contributed to the Gisimba Memorial Center renovation and helps turn field research and community priorities into clear, buildable design work.
Design Intern
Christian Maisha
Christian is a Level 4 architecture student at INES Ruhengeri and a design intern with JI’s Kigali team. He supports humanitarian projects through context research, field documentation, schematic design, 3D modeling, renderings, and preliminary construction drawings. His work includes the Gisimba Memorial Center renovation, where he helps carry local context into careful, buildable design.
Asia Project Manager
Widya Putri Septadiani (Dian)
Based in Bali, Dian manages humanitarian projects across Asia. With a degree in architecture and experience in community and event management, she connects people, fosters meaningful conversations, and helps every project leave a positive and lasting impact.
Consulting Architect
Claude Butera
With more than a decade of experience, Claude specializes in sustainable design, neighborhood development, and climate-resilient solutions. He is committed to making high-quality design accessible while creating spaces that foster dignity and belonging.
USA Board of Directors
Board Director
Trevor Chayce
Board Director
Landon Friend
Board Director
Sam DeLay
Board Director
Steve Shimmin
Board Director
Justin Pin
Rwanda Board of Directors
Board Director
Alfred Ndabarasa
Board Director
Bradley Sanders
Board Director
Dan Klinck
Board Director
Carly Althoff
Board Director