UW Service Learning Project in Kenya Topic of Oct. 24 Meeting

October 15, 2012
Women carrying water buckets
The UW service learning project will aid women and girls who often must carry water many miles to provide water for their families.

Information about a University of Wyoming service learning project in Kenya next summer will be explained during a free meeting Wednesday, Oct. 24, at 3 p.m. in the Wyoming Union East Ballroom.

John Kambutu, associate professor of educational studies at the UW/Casper College Center, will lead his 10th summer service learning course June 5-16. The course, “UW/CC Hillside Kenya Water Project," is open to both credit and non-credit seeking participants. Kambutu seeks participants plus donations to construct a well in Hillside, located in the foothills of the Aberdare Ranges in Kenya, Africa.

Participants in last year’s innovative study abroad project built a dining hall to start a lunch program at Mburu Gichua elementary school. More than 500 children from poor families are now receiving lunch.

After experiencing the joy of making a difference in a foreign place, one participant reported that the experience had “changed my outlook on life.” Kambutu says the 2013 project will be equally transforming.

“With a population of more than 2,000, mostly low-income people who live on $1 a day, the Hillside community has persistent water problems that cause young girls to drop out of school to provide water for their families,” Kambutu says. “This program, which is open to students and the general public, is designed to make a positive difference to the women and girls of the Hillside community.”

For more information, go to: https://www.uwyo.edu/outreach/uwcc or contact Kambutu at Kambutu@uwyo.edu or (307) 268-2584.

The estimated cost for the service learning course is $4,585. A $500 deposit must be received by the UW/CC Center by Nov. 1. Call the UW/CC Center at (307) 268-2713 to pay by credit card, or mail a check to the UW/CC Center, 125 College Drive, Casper, WY 82601.

The UW/CC Hillside Kenya Water project is seeking donations to fund the water project and scholarships to the first 12 students to enroll. Donations are accepted through the University of Wyoming Foundation at www.uwyo.edu/foundation/ways-to-give or by calling (307) 766-6300.

UW/CC is also accepting donations; send donations to 125 College Drive, Liesinger Hall 163, Casper, WY 82601. All checks and on-line giving should reference UW/CC Hillside Kenya Water Project.

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