Scaling Inclusion with Basic Needs, Basic Rights Kenya (2025W UBC-Based)

This program is part of the Global Experiential Education Program (GEEP) and is informed by ORICE values. GEEP aims to strengthen the bridge between classroom learning (theory) and application (practice) to address pressing global issues, in this community-based praxis initiative. Students who participate in GEEP can participate in experiential education projects designed and led by global community partners.

Details at a Glance

Application Deadline: September 14th, 2025 (11:59PM)

• Program Type: Co-curricular (Not-for-credit)
• Engagementship Type: Community-Engaged Research Project in collaboration with Basic Needs Basic Rights Kenya (BNBR)
• Engagementship Location: 2025W In-person, UBC-Based
• Duration: 8 months starting in September 2025
• Eligibility: Open to UBC-V Undergraduate (60+ credits) & Graduate students (more details below)

Project Description

Background

Since their inception, Basic Needs, Basic Rights (BNBR) has distinguished itself as a leader in mental health and development in Kenya by implementing a model which takes a holistic approach, comprising elements of psychosocial support, community development and livelihoods, and improving policy and practice through research and advocacy. This approach is informed by their belief that addressing mental well-being and illness goes beyond just health systems and must include consideration of social and economic causes and effects. BNBR seeks to prevent and treat mental health disorders; promote mental health and well-being; facilitate integration of individuals with mental health complications through socio-economic empowerment; influence laws, policies, and practices as well as cultural norms through acting as a collaborative leader; and strengthen and diversify their resource base as an organization.

As part of a recently launched 5-year strategic plan, BNBR has established a priority to enhance evidence-based research capacity and outputs as an organization. In the summer of 2024, BNBR and ORICE partnered to place UBC students with the organization to explore and document research priorities and to jointly produce a preliminary research agenda based on the identified priorities. During the 2024 to 2025 winter semesters, BNBR and ORICE partnered again to research and document what is meant by social inclusion, a key feature of BNBR work. The team then further collaborated to develop a database of policies and implementation mechanisms that focus on social inclusion within Kenya.  This current project builds on elements of the prior projects to look at scaling social inclusion programs and strengthening health systems. In August 2025, 3 students went to Kenya to engage in person with BNBR to gain a stronger understanding of the organizational context and goals of this project, and these students will be part of the ongoing team.

Current Project

Building on the prior work around social inclusion and strengthening internal research capacity, this project brings both together.  In the near future, BNBR seeks to expand promotive and restorative community mental health services to 2 sub-counties, thereby strengthening inclusion and local health systems. As part of this initiative, BNBR is committed to embedding participatory research into their social inclusion programming, not only as a way of strengthening impact but also to build a sustainable evidence base for rights-based mental health care in Kenya. 

Together with a local Kenyan academic institution, ORICE will support BNBR to develop processes for rigorous inquiry into the effectiveness and evolution of BNBR interventions. The inquiry will center on three key dimensions, examining how those with lived experience, service providers, and organizational staff understand and experience social inclusion. 

Students joining the 8 month engagementship (September 2025-April 2026) will remotely continue the work completed in 2025S with a student team of 4-6 students to prepare, and pilot an evaluation. If timing allows, the student team may also support research assistants in Kenya on the data entry, and analysis of evaluation findings.  Activities associated with this project will include a full review of the service provision model and practice to date, project planning, literature reviews, environmental policy scans, research on social inclusion metrics, research design, methodology reviews and the development of data collection tools.

Learn more about previous students’ experiences working with BNBR on page 15 of ORICE’s 2024/2025 Annual Report.

Organization Details

Basic Needs, Basic Rights (BNBR) is a vibrant registered national non-governmental organization located across seven counties in Kenya. One of BNBR’s core programmatic areas is to support people with mental health conditions, those at risk, and their caregivers to live and work successfully in their communities. BNBR strives to ensure that those with mental health concerns can access basic rights by empowering their communities to provide care and social support.

Project Timeline

Over a period from September 2025  to April 2026,  the selected team of students will spend 3-5 hours weekly working collaboratively to complete the project. Students will be asked to participate in weekly scheduled in-person meetings (on the UBC Vancouver Campus) to ensure collaboration and accountability goals are defined and met. However, the remainder of the allotted time will be self-directed or in small work teams as per agreements with teammates.

More Information