Only the beginning...

The roots of this service learning trip probably go back to the day that Mark, Johanna, Steve and Jono left Daraja last year and knew in their hearts that they would be back as soon as they could manage it.

Early in the fall, they began talking about returning together and this time with a contingent of MA students who would both continue the work begun in the summer of 2010 and strengthen the relationship already begun between Marin Academy and Daraja Academy students.

After working with both schools to lay a foundation for the trip, invitations were extended to MA students to express their interest in participating. An extensive written and personal interview process resulted in 13 students being chosen to participate in this year's service learning experience. In addition, we invited Krista to join us as a fourth official chaperone, making the final group a total of 18.

Over the past few months, the group met together - and with Jason, Jenni and Andy from Daraja - to discuss the range of possible projects that we'd engage in with the Daraja students during their stay. One central activity will be to pair the MA and DA students as "study buddies," attending a full range of classes the first couple of days and then selected classes throughout.

Steve & Jono planned to continue their computer and photography work by having the MA and DA students team-teach the new Daraja Form 1's, as well as introduce some advanced skills to the girls they taught last year.

Mark plans to continue his work with the Daraja teaching staff - discussing teaching methodologies. And we plan a range of other projects including starting a student newsletter, enhancing the garden shed (built under the supervision of MA alum Cora Went during her time at Daraja), creative writing, dance, sports, and music, among others. In addition, a group of MA students plan to participate with the Daraja girls in the WISH program.

And Johanna is working with the Daraja staff to continue the amazing organizational work she began there in 2010.

This is just a very brief look at what's in store for our group over the three weeks of the trip. We'll use this blog to keep our friends and community (in the U.S. and in Kenya) up to date with our activities.