2016 Kenya SUMMER SESSION COURSE SYLLABUS
EDEL 4975/EDCI 5480: International Service learning in Kenya
Dr. Lydiah Nganga
University of Wyoming at Casper, (307) 268‐3042, Lnganga@uwyo.edu
Program description: (June 1 – 12)
The goal of the 2016 Kenya Service Learning Study Abroad course is to allow participants to learn by
doing. Thus, in addition to using primary resources to explore Kenya’s history; geography; cultures;
languages (Kiswahili); economy; education; archeology; ecology; paleontology and zoology; geopolitical,
ethnic, a nd gender issues; and the HIV/AIDS epidemic, learners will participate in field experiences at
Ruiru, Joy Children’s Home and school (JCEPD). Founded in 2004 by a teacher, the children’s
program now serves 24 orphaned or abandoned children and is a school to more than 210 children who
come from poor families in the surrounding area. The main goal for the school is that of “ensuring that
the children enjoy a dignified childhood and grow into productive, confident citizens.” Participants will
interact with the students and teachers, and provide community service at the school through gardening
and renovation work. Participants will also take part in an environmental reclamation service
learning project at Karura Forest area. The reclamation program was founded by Dr. Wangari Mathai,
a world renown environmental education activist.
Participants will also visit Hillside--‐Karati Elementary School in central Kenya, where the
2015 University of Wyoming at Casper group had the opportunity to construct a classroom and
administration block. Click the link below to see the Karati school service project
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXqChK4C--‐6I&feature=youtu.be .
While there, participants will interact with teachers and students, and take part in educational
activities. Because this course is a follow up of other successful service learning projects in Kenya,
learners will have the opportunity to visit Mburu Gichua Elementary School in Nakuru (2011) and the
UW Hillside Water project (2013).
Participants will also visit Kenyatta University, Centre for Linkages & International Programs, one of
Kenya’s biggest Universities, and experience firsthand what campus life in Kenya is like. Sit in on
lectures, interact with students and professors with similar interests, and get a peek into the Kenya
higher education system.
Finally, participants will travel to Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Sweat Water Conservatory, and
Mt. Kenya. At the parks, learners will study environmental issues and see how wildlife interacts with
the local people.
I have designed this course to enable participants to “learn by doing.” Although service learning is the
main focus, students will also engage in scholarship. During the course, learners will reflect in writing
and orally about the similarities and differences between America and Kenya. They will also examine
ways in which the course will have influenced them as citizens of a “globalized” world. Learners are
expected to do formal presentation on what they learn to audiences of their selection upon return.
The course is open to students who are interested in global issues. As the world becomes a “village,” it
is essential to help our students develop an understanding and appreciation of global issues. Indeed,
this course/program supports the goals of the University of Wyoming’s Academic Plan II and
University Plan III. Thus, learners will meet the following objectives:
· Develop conceptual frameworks to guide citizenly in a world that is increasingly becoming
a “Global Village.”
· Participate actively in various service learning projects.
· Participate in field experiences, a necessary component in service learning.
· Compare and contrast Kenya and U.S., especially in the contexts of history, geography,
education, economy, and cultural practices.
· Become familiar with Kenya’s standard of living, and mostly issues of food and housing.
· Study Kenya’s environmental issues including fauna and flora.
· Examine geopolitical and gender issues in Kenya. A critical focus will be on the multiple
roles of African women.
· Become familiar with health issues including HIV/AIDS epidemic in Kenya.
Tentative schedule
Nganga: Summer 2016 Kenya Service learning course initiative
SUMMER 2016 SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM
Travel to Kenya on June 1-12, 2016
ITINERARY, LODGING AND FEES (subject to
revision) Day 1:-‐‐ Wed, June 1:-‐‐ Sunstar
Hotel/Homestay
On arrival at Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you will be met and transferred to a
Homestay or Sunstar Hotel for overnight booked on half board (bed, breakfast, and dinner).
Day 2:--‐_ Thu, June 2:-‐‐ Kenyatta University
After breakfast, welcome and a brief lecture on the history and culture of the people of Kenya.
Visit Kenyatta University, Centre for Linkages & International Programs, one of Kenya’s
biggest universities. Experience firsthand what campus life in Kenya is like. Sit in on lectures,
interact with students and professors with similar interests as yours, and get a peek into the
Kenya higher education system. Take a tour of University’s different faculties and departments.
Lunch at Kenyatta University cafeteria. After lunch visit Kenya National Theater for a local play
whose casts are mostly university students. Dinner and overnight at the Sunstar hotel or
homestay.
Day 3:-‐‐ Fri June 3:-‐‐ Joy Children’s home-‐‐ Ruiru
Day 4:-‐‐ Sat, June 4:-‐‐ Joy’s Children’s home _ RUIRU
After breakfast visit Ruiru, Joy Children’s home; -‐‐ a home that gives hope to the
orphaned and abandoned children.
Day 4:-‐‐ Sat, June 6: Karura Forest-‐‐
Take part in planting seedlings and environmental reclamation work
Day 6:-‐‐ Mon June 7:--‐Mt. Kenya National Park
After breakfast, drive to Mt. Kenya National Park for mountain ecology. Arrive in time for lunch at the
Mountain Lodge Tree Hotel. The hotel is located at over 6,000 ft. on the slopes on Mount Kenya and
surrounded by a dense rainforest that comes alive at dusk with a myriad of sounds.
Day 7:-‐‐ Tue June 8:-- Sweetwaters Serena Camp
Day 8:-‐‐ Wed June 8:--‐Sweetwaters Serena Camp
Day 9: Thu June 9:--‐Nakuru: Mburu Gichua Primary School
After breakfast, drive to Nakuru and visit Mburu Gichua Primary School. This school has been
identified as a UWC “sister school.” Thanks to Todd Milliken and family for guiding fundraising
efforts that enabled the 2011 summer program to construct a lunch program that is feeding
more than 500 children. You will have a chance to see this lunch project while interacting with
school children and the local community. Proceed to Lake Nakuru National Park, arriving at
Lake Nakuru Lodge for late lunch. After lunch proceed for a game drive. Return to the Lake
Nakuru Lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Fri June 10:--‐Lake Nakuru National Park
Day 11: Sat June 11:-‐‐ Karati Primary School & Hill side water project
After breakfast, drive to Karati Primary School. After seeing the need for desks in this school,
participants in the 2013 summer program fundraised to purchase more than 100 desks. Dr. Kambutu
and Dr. Nganga delivered these desks in Summer 2014. Here, you will also have the opportunity to see
the classroom and administration block which were constructed through Gail and Kaycee, who led
fundraising efforts for this project. Lunch is provided by the community program. After lunch, drive to
the UWC Hillside water project to experience the water project, started by the 2013 participants. You
will interact with community members before proceeding to Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge for dinner
and overnight.
Day 12 – Departure for U.S.A.
Maasai Mara option
Day 12-14-‐‐ Travel to Maasai Mara ( at an additional cost)
Day 15-‐‐ Travel back home