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: July 2nd, 2025 (11:59PM)
- Program Type: Co-curricular (Not-for-credit)
- Placement Type: Community-Engaged Research Project in collaboration with Basic Needs Basic Rights Kenya (BNBR)
- Placement Location: 2025S In-person, Kenya + 2025W In-person, UBC-Based
- Duration: 10 months starting in July 2025
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.
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.
This 10 month engagementship (July 2025-April 2026) is a unique opportunity to engage both in person with the organization (August 2025) to gain a stronger understanding of the organizational context and goals, while then continuing to work remotely with a student team of 3-4 students during the academic year (Sept 2025 – April 2026) to prepare, implement, analyze and document the findings of the evaluation. 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.
Project Timeline
This is a unique opportunity that includes an in-person component in Kenya in August 2025 with Basic Needs Basic Rights (BNBR) Kenya AND a remote engagementship based at UBC from September 2025 to April 2026. Do not apply for this program if you are only interested in one of the two components. Remote only engagementships will open in August 2025. International placement only opportunities are not available.
(Kenya Placement): Students will meet weekly with UBC ORICE in July 2025 to review the project work completed to date and to prepare for the placement with BNBR in Nairobi, Kenya, in August 2025. Students will then travel to Nairobi from August 1 -17, 2025. During this time, students will collaborate with the BNBR team on the project as described. This will also be an important opportunity to gain a deeper contextual understanding of the partner, the sub-counties slated for expansion, current monitoring and evaluation practices, and the research goals.
(Remote Engagementship) 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.
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.
Learn more about previous students’ experiences working with community partners abroad.
More Information
Application Deadline: July 2nd, 2025 (11:59pm)
- Review project details (please contact ubc.orice@ubc.ca with any questions you may have).
- Next, fill out the ORICE program application form (Qualtrics Survey) below.
- Successful applicants will be contacted by email to continue the selection process through a 25-minute individual interview.
- After interviews, you will be notified of a decision; successful candidates will be sent an offer letter with further details on the program and detailed instructions on how to accept. Your selection into the program includes meeting eligibility requirements, as well as your initial application and your performance in the interview. The international placement program will be comprised of 2-4 students. The remote engagementship teams will ultimately be comprised of 3-4 students.
Note: We encourage interested students to apply as soon as possible, as we will review applications as they are received.
- Be an undergraduate (domestic or international) at the UBC Vancouver campus with 60 or more completed credits, or graduate student as of April 30th, 2025.
- Have access to a reliable internet connection and computer to collaborate with peers, ORICE staff and international partners to attend meetings remotely if online meetings are required.
- Demonstrate the ability to think critically and creatively and be willing to take responsibility and initiative to meet project deliverables.
- Prior experience with policy review and analysis is an asset, but not necessary.
- Flexibility with time to ensure that training and preparation meetings during 9-5pm PST can be accommodated.
Willingness to have occasional meetings that accommodate time zone considerations for guests joining from Kenya or elsewhere.
Project Dates: July 2025 - Introduction to project and international placement preparation
August 1-17, 2025 - Placement with BNBR in Nairobi, Kenya
September 2025 - April 2026 - Remote project collaboration with BNBR at UBC.
Weekly Meetings (Sept- April): TBD - applicants will be asked to be flexible as we will be seeking a weekly standing 2-hour meeting block during M-F, 9 am - 5 pm.
Note: Team members need to be available for occasional meetings with the community partner at 8 am due to time zone differences.
| Timeline | |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | June 18, 2025 |
| Deadline | July 2, 2025 @ 11:59pm. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. |
| Short Interviews | June 23 -July 4, 2025 |
| Offers Made by | July 8, 2025 |
| Acceptances Due | July 11, 2025 |
In Kenya, you will live in hostel-style accommodations with modest living conditions.
The program fees are as listed below. A program deposit fee of $685.00 is payable upon acceptance of an offer to secure your spot in the program. The deposit fee will be deducted from the overall balance owing. The prices listed below are in Canadian Dollars (CAD).
| Cost | |
| Program Fee:
$1975 |
|
| ORICE Regional and International Program Award Available*:
$2000 Estimated flight cost: $1800-2200. |
|
*Eligibility for this award can be found here.
Program cost includes:
- Pre-departure learning sessions at UBC
- Room and board
- Transportation from the airport to your placement site
- Orientation in the host country
- Training and Reflection materials
- Community partner management fee
- Program management fee
Note: Additional expenses not covered in program costs are the responsibility of the student. Costs not included are airfare, visas, vaccinations, local transportation while in country, transportation from the site back to the airport at the end of the placement, personal items, and daily incidentals.
Funding available for this program: ORICE Regional and International Program Award
Note: Students may only hold one award at a given time. Please visit our funding page for more information.