This research highlights Kuwait’s role in humanitarian architecture across the globe, with a special focus on Africa, where Kuwaiti engagement has supported communities for centuries. From early maritime connections between the Gulf and the East African coast to the establishment of modern philanthropic organizations, Kuwait has played a central role in shaping spaces of care, education, and community life.

Building on a long tradition of Islamic humanitarianism, the work of pioneers such as Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sumait and institutions like DirectAid stand as enduring examples of Kuwait’s global vision of service. Through schools, clinics, wells, mosques, and community centers, Kuwaiti initiatives have provided vital infrastructure across regions such as Kenya, Zanzibar, and Somaliland, helping to improve lives while also strengthening cultural and spiritual ties between the Gulf and Africa.

The study explores how humanitarian architecture is not only a practical undertaking, but also a moral and cultural one. It reflects on the way Kuwaiti contributions have created environments of learning, healing, and gathering, where architecture becomes a vessel for care and solidarity. These projects whether in coastal towns like Mombasa and Kilifi or in rural villages are part of a larger history of giving that has linked Kuwait to communities across continents.


Doing Well: Rethinking Aid Architecture celebrates this legacy by documenting the spaces that have been built and the lives they continue to touch. From coral stone mosques to modern schools, from water wells to shaded courtyards, the thesis shows how Kuwait’s role in humanitarian architecture has left lasting imprints that connect places and people.


Ultimately, the study affirms Kuwait’s ongoing commitment to humanitarian service. It positions architecture as a language of generosity one that bridges geographies, nurtures communities, and honors Kuwait’s role as a global partner in care and development.