Milestone 01
The foundation
Journeyman International incorporates as a nonprofit focused on 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. We listen to local partners and develop practical designs that account for culture, climate, and construction conditions.
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 develop designs suited to local needs, materials, and construction skills.
Build
We oversee construction as a quality and fiscal control agent.
Transform
Completed buildings give communities places to learn, receive care, work, and gather.
2009—Today
Journeyman’s
history
Milestones in Journeyman’s development, from incorporation to locally led work across several regions.
Swipe or use the arrows to explore
Milestone 02
Our first global project
The first international project is completed in Belize.
Milestone 03
The next generation joins
The University Partnership Program launches, connecting architecture students with community projects and experienced mentors.
Milestone 04
Women build the future
Construction begins on a women-built hospital in Ethiopia.
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, beginning 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, for volunteers working on humanitarian projects around the world.
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 the project network grows.
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
Blue Ocean School opens
Child Aid West Papua holds its grand opening ceremony.
Our people
Our team
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 an international organization helping deliver schools, hospitals, and community centers.
Construction Administration Director
Garrett Lord
Garrett oversees the transition from design to construction, coordinating technical details, quality, and the work needed to make buildings durable and maintainable.
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 coordinates partners and project teams, drawing on her experience in community and event management.
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 designing spaces where people can feel welcome and respected.
USA Board of Directors
Board Director
Daniel Wiens
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
Daniel Wiens
Board Director
Alfred Ndabarasa
Board Director
Bradley Sanders
Board Director
Dan Klinck
Board Director
Carly Althoff
Board Director