Health and Community Development (Impact Assessment): Kenya

Program overview

The community partner for Health and Community Development in Kenya is Carolina For Kibera (CFK). CFK is a organization founded in Kibera (a large informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya). CFK is attached to Tabitha clinic, a hospital that serves the community of Kibera. CFK is undertaking a number of health initiatives in the area, and evaluating the success and impact of the implementation is a regular part of the project cycle. CFK currently works with more than 100 community health workers. Students will be working alongside these health workers in the area. The specific nature of the assessment will be determined closer to the date.

Students interested in this placement should be ready to work in a community that faces extreme poverty. As change in health and social behaviors take time, students should also be prepared to work alongside the organization with the recognition of this process and the long-term goals, rather than expecting to see immediate change.

This organization works on three major areas of development in the community: Heath, Social, and Economic development. Within these areas CFK runs a number of programs, such as a sports association and economic ventures. Depending on the workload of the project, students may also be able to get involved with some of the other programs.

This placement will require a high degree of initiative and problem-solving – you will be given the vision but will need to work closely with CFK staff to figure out how to work toward that vision, with very few resources. Ideally, you will have some experience in assessment methods coupled with self-initiative and problem-solving skills, and a willingness to learn!

Leading up to your placement (Pre-departure)

Pre-departure learning sessions take place in the term before you leave for your placement; it prepares you for an intensive International Service Learning experience. During pre-departure you will:

1. Create a learning and development plan and review with your ISL Advisor
2. Explore learning topics at regular meetings with your placement team

Accommodations

You will be staying with host families in modest accommodations. In many cases you will need to take public transportation to reach your work site.

After you’ve returned (Post-placement)

After you’ve returned, you’ll regroup, reflect and work at unpacking the intensive experience you’ve had. The schedule of post-placement activities includes:

1. A full day to debrief with advisors and peers (April 2015)
2. Presenting at an International Development Symposium (May-June 2015)

Program cost

We expect the program fee to be approximately $3,900*. Fees include:

• Room and board
• Pre-departure learning sessions
• Transportation to and from your placement**
• Orientation in Kenya
• Debrief and workshop part way through your placement
• Re-entry debrief and public engagement facilitation
• Community partner management fee
• ISL program management fee

Airfare, visas and vaccinations are not included in the program fee. A return ticket to Kenya costs approximately $2,000 – $2,500. You will be required to bring your own laptop.

*Fees may be adjusted prior to offer
**You will also need to arrange your own transportation from the project site back to the airport at the end of the placement

Awards

If accepted into the ISL program, your eligibility will be automatically assessed for the $1,500 International Service Learning Award.