Current    |      Past

Kenya Study and Leadership Program
August 2012

The Kenya Leadership Program provides a once in a lifetime experience to partake in service learning, volunteerism, and educational programs in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
Participants will travel to Kenya and be located in a safari camp on the edge of the Masai Mara, Africa’s richest wildlife reserve.   The Masai Mara is home the Big Five: elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard, among other diverse fauna and flora.   The Masai Mara is also home to the world’s greatest migration of zebra and wildebeest, with millions of wild animals crossing from the Tanzanian Serengeti to the Kenyan Mara, and back between the months of June and October.

Participants will have the opportunity to explore and enhance their leadership through combining meaningful service learning and educational activities.   Participants will spend the vast majority of their time volunteering at local schools, teaching, building classrooms, and helping in concrete ways to improve the local community, while having the opportunity to interact intensively with the local Masai people.   Moreover, hands on learning about development, world issues, leadership, environmental conservation and biodiversity through interactive seminars will engage individuals to consider the importance and challenges of much needed development, while ensuring the protection of the world’s most wondrous flora and fauna.

Rationale
The motivation for this proposal was derived from the personal and professional experiences of its authors in conjunction with the vision prescribed by the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB).  The authors believe that Learning, Leadership, and Service within the context of Safe Adventure is a very powerful educational paradigm.

Service Learning
A unique and distinguishing component of this program is the concept of “service learning”.  Service learning can be identified as experiential education when the learner adopts a life role that provides meaningful service to a community in order to learn about oneself and others.  The pedagogical value of the service increases when the following are added to the learning:  an academic component designed to prepare the learner in terms of content and competencies relevant to the service; an opportunity to reflect upon and think critically about the experience; an element of adventure and challenge; an international and cross-cultural context; and an alignment of individual, placement, and system goals. 

Affiliation
The delivery of this program is in conjunction with Free The Children and Me to We. Co-founded by Marc and Craig Kielburger, Free The Children has earned world-wide recognition for its dedication in eradicating child labour throughout the world.  One of its programs, entitled Me to We, is devoted to youth leadership and has established program sites around the world. In this present program, we will be visiting the Kenya Peace and Leadership Centre which is located on the edge of the Masai Mara, Africa’s richest game reserve.

Participants

Students
Approximately 20 students and 7 adults will be selected for admission to this program.  This number has been governed by the practical exigencies of traveling to these areas of the world.  Students will be selected according to the following criteria:
 
            1.        Trustworthiness and reliability
            2.        Respectfulness of other people and cultures
            3.        Adaptability to new experiences
            4.        Parental support
            5.        Fitness
           
Interested students will be invited to submit an application and two letters of reference.  All participants will also be expected to complete a TCDSB Parent/Guardian Informed Consent Form For International Excursions.  The limitations of TCDSB responsibilities with respect to this program are also indicated in a letter from Adventure Learning Experiences to Mr. Alex Mazzucco who is an officer with TCDSB. 

Code of Conduct
Each student will be expected to pledge commitment to a Code of Conduct,  which will be designed to ensure that respect for each participant, his/her property, and well-being is safeguarded.  This code will preclude harassment and abusiveness and will prohibit the use of alcohol and drugs.  Above all, the rights and responsibilities of all participants will be clearly defined so that the objectives of this program may be achieved within a healthy and safe environment. 

Adult Supervision
In addition to the authors of this proposal, there will be a minimum of four teachers from Ontario who will be taking part in the program.  They see the experience as opportunities for their own personal and professional development.  Their involvement in the instruction and experiential component of the program will be closely supervised by the authors.  During the experiential part of the program, approximately 4 teachers will supervise the Kenya program.

Interviews
Each applicant and his/her parents will be invited to a private interview with the Directors to assess his/her suitability for the program. This will also give the applicant and parents the opportunity to determine if the program serves their needs and interests. Each applicant will be asked to bring their letters of reference to this meeting as well their most recent report card. Interviews will take place in the fall. All deposits will be refundable in the event that the applicant is refused.

Program Design
The authors propose that this learning program be offered as a two credit cooperative education model using the Interdisciplinary Studies curriculum document.  The course will be designated IDC3O and IDC4U and will derive learning expectations from a variety of courses.  

In-Class Component
These meetings will take place on the following dates: 

There will be 7 additional meetings arranged during the experiential component (14 hours). 

There will be one formal examination that has been scheduled for the following class: 
Sunday September 16, 2012

The assignments in this program are designed to provide background to the course themes and to stimulate relevant learning and personal reflection.  To this end required readings will be assigned and considerable options with respect to written assignments will be offered.  There will be two types of written assignments: 

1.    Discovery Paper:  This is primarily intended for learning new information
                                        about a topic.
                                         
2.    Reaction Paper:  This is primarily intended for reflecting about a course theme that was                                       previously reviewed in class, was part of one’s experiences on the                                       trip, or contained in a reading. 


Learning Resources 

Clawson, D.L. (2001).  World Regional Geography:  A Developmental Approach (7th Edition).  New Jersey: Prentice-Hall. 

Mountjoy, A.B. & Hilling, D. (1988).  Africa:  Geography and Development.  New Jersey: Barnes & Noble Books. 

Makgoba, M.W. (ed.), (1995).  African Renaissance.  Cape Town:  Tafelberg Publishers Ltd.

Goodall, J. (1988).  In The Shadow of Man.  London: Phoenix Giants. 

Wise, M. (2002). The Travel Doctor. Toronto: Firefly Books.

Lewis, Stephen (2005) Race Against Time.  House of Anansi Press.

Experiential Component
This excursion to Kenya will serve as the Service Learning component of the program.  

There will be a variety of service learning opportunities distributed across a few locations.   The primary focus will be to build a school.  Formal classes will be conducted whereby teachers and students will be given opportunities to discuss their reactions to the learning experiences and which will offer support for their adjustment to the new environments.  Upon returning to Canada, the students will meet to reflect and process their experiences, and will be given an opportunity to formally present their learning to family and friends.  

Topics for discussion during classes in Africa will be governed by the nature of the activities in which the students will be engaged.  Daily journal writing will be an essential component of this time.  A composite journal with representation from each participant will be compiled, edited, and published upon completion of the course.

Service and Leadership Opportunities

1. Community development: Lend your hands to build a school and volunteer at our schools.
2. Cultural education: Attend workshops, walk through Maasai and Kipsigis villages, and learn Swahili.
3. Leadership training: Experience intensive and interactive training in our grass-thatched classroom.
4. Environmental education: Learn about environmental challenges on a fieldtrip to coastal region.
5. Safari adventures: Get up close and personal (through the lens of your camera) with Africa’s wildlife while on a safari in the Masai Mara. 

Tentative travel dates:  August 2 to August 21, 2012 and August 4 to August 23, 2012

Sample Itinerary:       

Travel Arrangements

Transportation
Local transportation will be organized and provided by the Me To We lorry/bus.  International air travel will be provided by a reputable national carrier. In recent years this has been British Airways.

                                              
Accommodation
In Kenya the accommodations will be provided through the Free The Children/Me To We organization.  The adult supervisors will always reside in close proximity to the student residences.  Appropriate separation between genders will always be ensured in these residences. 

Finances
It is expected that participants will be charged a single fee of approximately $5295.00, which will cover all air and land transportation, accommodation, and two meals per day.  The only expenses not included would be private expenses, health and flight insurance, passports and visa, special inoculations, and optional parts of the trip. 

Fundraising activities will be supported by the authors.  In particular, the principal endeavour will be a booklet which will describe the features and participants of the program.  The sale of advertisements in the booklet will be directly subtracted from the fee charged to individual participants. 

Finances
Participants will be charged a single fee of approximately $5295.00, which will cover return airfare from Toronto to Kenya, all travel expenses within the country, meals, accommodations, training materials and donations to the local communities. It also includes all expenses associated with the Study component.

Payment will be made by regular installments according to the following schedule:

            $   495             Deposit accompanying application
            $1,600             December 5, 2011
            $1,600             February 13, 2012
            $1,600             June 12, 2012

Note: Participants are asked to submit a series of postdated cheques according to this schedule. Cheques should be made payable to Adventure Learning Experiences Inc.

Fundraising

There are two fundraising activities designed to help students offset their trip expenses.

Sponsor Booklet: This is intended to provide an overview of the program and will feature the participants. Students are invited to sell advertising for the booklet and these funds will be directly applied to their trip fee, except for a nominal fee for the printing of the booklets. Please be aware that advertisements that are purchased by companies in support of a student will not be eligible for a refund in the event that the particular participant being supported withdraws from the program.

Raffle: Students will be invited to proportionally share in the proceeds of a raffle that will be held in June. This optional activity is available to all participants who donate a raffle prize worth $75.

Financial Plan

Students are expected to take responsibility in planning to meet the financial commitment involved in this program. To assist in this, the participants will be expected to submit a plan to achieve this goal.

Refund Policy

For withdrawal before December 1st, 2011 a refund of $400 from the original deposit will be provided.

For withdrawal between December 1st, 2011 and June 12th, 2012, a full refund minus the deposit will be provided.

For withdrawal after June 12th, 2012 no refund can be provided due to the advance purchase of airline tickets and prepayment of camp costs.

Other Costs

The only other costs that are not included in the above price are the following:

            Passport (this must not expire within 6 months of departure)
            Kenya Visa                                                     $50 US
            Out-of-country health insurance                     
            Flying Doctor Insurance                                  $50 US to be purchased in Nairobi
            Inoculations (depending upon one’s private insurance coverage)
            End-of-trip banquet in Nairobi                          $35 US
            Retreat                                                             $25 Cdn
            Spending Money

Health and Safety
Careful attention to sound health and safety practices will be an important part in the preparation of the program.  This will involve mandatory immunizations, learning  healthy eating and drinking habits, and understanding effective illness prevention practices.  An attempt will be made to have a registered nurse accompany each group.  For maximum benefit it is recommended that participants, in general, be in good health and achieve a sufficient level of fitness prior to the trip.  Physical and dental check-ups are highly recommended prior to the departure date. 

Immunization

a)           The following are ordinarily administered through one’s family doctor in the course of                normal Ontario health care.  All participants are asked to ensure their protection with                inoculations against the following diseases:

               Tetanus – Diphtheria
               Polio
               Measles-Mumps-Rubella

b)            Protection against malaria is by tablet and is taken on a regular basis prior, during, and                following the trip.  The exact regimen will be prescribed by a travel clinic. 
               All participants will be expected to bring a mosquito net and protective skin lotions. 

c)            Inoculations against the following may be required: 

                        Typhoid
                        Meningococcal meningitis
                        Hepatitis A
                        Hepatitis B
                        Yellow Fever
                        TB skin test

The cost of these inoculations are not covered by OHIP but may be included in private health plans. 

Precautions

As indicated above, careful preparation prior to departure about safe eating and drinking habits and illness prevention practices will be undertaken.  Participants will be expected to purchase “The Travel Doctor” by Dr. Mark Wise (Firefly Books, 2002) as part of this preparation.  A close working relationship has been developed by the authors with Dr. Mark Wise.  Dr. Wise is a family physician in North York, whose medical practice includes a travel clinic. He  is considered a leading authority in tropical and parasitic diseases.  Dr. Wise will conduct a 90 minute training workshop about preventative health practices for our students prior to departure and will make recommendations about appropriate inoculations.

It is expected that our groups will greatly benefit from the local contacts which the authors have established in Kenya with Me to We in the event that medical care is required. Each participant will be expected to purchase out-of-country health insurance. In addition, each participant will be expected to purchase evacuation insurance, called Flying Doctor insurance, upon arrival in Kenya at a cost of $50 US. This will guarantee emergency airline service from an airstrip near the Leadership centre to a leading  medical clinic in Nairobi. In addition, Dr. Lato and Mr. Rogers are both members of the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT). 

It is most strongly recommended that each participant seek proper medical advice for all potential health concerns at a travel health clinic prior to departure. 

It is advised that each participant complete the Consent to Medical Treatment Form in the event that urgent and emergency care is required.

• A 2 credit High School Course
• Build a School
• Experience an African Safari
• Develop Your Leadership Skills Through Service