July 7 – 20, 2024 (approximate)
2 weeks of total cultural immersion
- 11 days of well scripted, non-stop local engagement
- Carefully guided scenic, cultural and experiential tours
- Multi day placement with a local host
- Work with local parents in refurbishing a village primary school classroom.
- Jointly facilitate a full day Teacher Development conference
- Option to jointly facilitate a health and wellness clinic in the village
- Enjoy a three-day full package safari.
Trip Costs
The entire program costs $4800. This covers airfare, hotel, host family expenses, local transport, main meals, and 3 day safari). You are responsible for expenses related to travel documents, immigration, vaccinations, travel insurance or anything not stated above as a covered expense.
For more information, contact Dr. Peter Gitau, at pgngatia@gmail.com or (406) 641-2613.
Program Overview
The intent of this education abroad program is to provide participants with opportunities for international and multi-cultural experiences through immersion in Kenya’s world-renowned culture. Using service learning as a foundation for critical inquiry and reflection, this intensive program will use a trans-disciplinary approach with global intercultural competency as an expected outcome.
This program offers a comprehensive sampling of Kenyan culture and the vastness of its diversity. The program begins with pre-departure orientation sessions that will introduce participants to the nation of Kenya, its peoples, language, geography etc. in order to build some basic competencies.
The preference will be for all participants to depart from Spokane international airport but plans can be made for departures from other airports. Upon arrival in Nairobi, participants will experience a gradual introduction to Kenya through a guided exploration of the city and its many cultural, educational, historic, business and other attractions, all the while, sampling local cuisine. We will examine shopping as a social/cultural experience by visiting Masaai market where participants can purchase cultural artifacts and other items of interest as they learn how to barter and use their newly acquired local language skills.
We will transition to the village via a scenic route that cuts through agricultural lands comprising of tea, rice, coffee farming. The group will spend one four days at Mwichuiri village in Naromoru, Central Kenya. This is an agricultural, rural community on the slopes of Mt. Kenya, about a three hour drive from Nairobi. During this period, participants will be hosted in Kenyan homes. The homes are in relative proximity and all breakfast and dinner meals will take place at the home of the host. You are encouraged to participate in the daily life of the host family as much as possible. We will debrief regularly. This is a prime opportunity to really get to know Kenyan people, right where they live.
Our service project in the village will involve renovating a classroom at Mwichuiri primary school. The project involves an intentional partnership with local people who will work side by side with the American group. Participation in this project provides an opportunity to cement bonds of cross-cultural friendship and understanding with Kenyans as wells as the chance to give back to the community that will have hosted the group. For those talented in teaching there will be ample opportunity to interact with students and teachers inside and outside of the classroom.
The other side of our service project will involve facilitating a full day Teacher Development Workshop for Principals of primary schools in the county. AIFEE has partnered with the Ministry of Education, the County Government, the Teachers Service Commission and Mount Kenya University to support the professional development of teachers in the county through targeted workshops. The theme of the workshop is Engaging Learners for Success.
The program will conclude with a three-day excursion to the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, located about 5 hours from Nairobi. This is a transnational vastness that stretches into Tanzania (where it changes its name to Serengeti) and home to the ageless Maasai people. Participants will take daily guided drives into animal territory to gain an appreciation for wildlife preservation and ecological practices. This Safari is planned to coincide with the annual wildebeest migration. To further enhance cultural study, participants will have optional opportunities to visit original Maasai villages.
Draft itinerary.
| Day | Event | Notes |
| Day 1 | Departure | |
| Day 2 | Arrival | Night in Nairobi |
| Day 3 | Rest and relaxation Local touring | Downtown Nairobi Museum of Kenya Bomas of Kenya Industrial area/manufacturing Night in Nairobi |
| Day 4 | Day long excursion | Drive to Nyeri via Meru Tour Rice, Tea and coffee farms Night in Meru |
| Day 5 | A day with a Kenyan family | Drive to Naromoru Meet host families for lunch Home stay begins |
| Day 6 | A day in a Kenyan village primary school | Guests stationed in various local schools Return to host family at end of the day |
| Day 7 | Project day | Guests join locals in refurbishing a classroom at Mwichuiri Primary school OR Guests join local health officials in a health and wellness medical check up at Kambi Medical Clinic |
| Day 8 | Rest and relaxation at host family home Prep day | Relax with host family Prepare for the Teacher development conference |
| Day 9 | Full day Teacher Development Conference | Facilitate a full day Teacher Development Conference Conference theme: Engaging students for success Night in Nyeri |
| Day 10 | Scenic drive to Nairobi Rest and prepare for safari | |
| Day 111 | Safari | |
| Day 12 | Safari | |
| Day 13 | Morning Safari Travel to Nairobi Night departure | |
| Day 14 | Arrival |
Notes and disclosures
This program is sponsored by the African International Foundation for Educational Excellence (AIFEE). AIFEE is registered as a 501 © 3 organization in the United States. While there is no program that can guarantee 100% safety for its participants, the program directors have engaged in extensive research and discussions on how to mitigate potential risks as identified by the State Department travel advisory. As of July 31, 2023, Kenya is under Level 2: “Exercise Increased caution”, with some very specific areas identified as “do not travel”. We will abide by the travel advisory and state department recommendations. With a few exceptions and as noted in the travel advisory, most of the country has remained largely peaceful with no active conflict or civil war. Indeed, Kenya remains one of the most popular destinations in Africa and many colleges and universities in the US have active study abroad programs there. As a standard practice, and before departing the US, each participant is encouraged to independently review the State Department travel advisory and take recommended actions such as registering with the US Embassy prior to travel.
The African International Foundation for Educational Excellence (AIFEE) 