THE SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITY HELD ON 15TH MARCH,2022

Community outreach activity is organized by the School of Environmental studies in conjunction with Kenyatta University Environmental Club (KUNEC), with the aim providing professional services, or services of a specific expertise, to a group of people who may not otherwise have access to those services. In the past the School has organized similar activities in visiting children homes and river cleanup activities. Such events carried out by students identifying a place of need and in liaison with the office of the Dean, plan on how it will be carried out. (Example: providing environmental cleanup activities services or education at a homeless shelter. Carrying out public lectures, organizing field trips for students , community-based participatory research, community or professional workshops, the development of an educational brochure or citizen's guide, partnering with other stakeholders, who are passionate about climate matters,  teachers, and service on a board or committee of a local community based organization(CBO) or Non-Governmental Organization(NGO). At its core, community outreach enhances to community understanding of clean environment and matters of climate change like global warming. It also helps the communities function better in terms of better health care, environmental conservation and resource management. Social workers who practice community outreach may work directly with individuals, assessing their needs and then guiding them to the appropriate resources. Others design large-scale programs that benefit the entire community.

The school of environmental studies in conjunction with the office of the school congressperson and Non-resident congressperson organized a community outreach event in Kilometer (KM), a residential area just outside Kenyatta University where students who don’t wish to be accommodated in the Campus Hostels reside. The residential area also comprises of rental houses which are privately owned and accommodates other people who are not students.

The Benefits of Community Participation was to; Promote sense of belongingness of the students and the area residents, cleaning the environment by collecting all the plastic bottles and polythene bags which were choking the environment in and around the estate for Better health and well-being of the community, Setting of goals and improve environmental skills and awareness of the students and the area residents at large, Give purpose and sense of contribution of the students and the area residents help the participants to adapt and develop new skills towards the maintenance of a sustainable environment, give the students an acceptance and recognition by the community, give the participants an opportunity to their Increases social networks, help them in enhancing social support. The activity started at 9.a.m and took 4 hours and involved collecting garbage which was littered all over the estate, unblocking of clogged drainage lines, and all other forms of solid wastes. At the end of the exercise, the students were proud of their achievement and requested the School to organize more similar events in the neighboring estates.  

                    

 A photo of students burning garbage during the cleanup event

 

 Students cleanup a foot path during the cleanup activity

 

A photo community members join students to collect garbage

 

 

Acknowledgement

Kenyatta University

Dean school of environmental Studies

Administrative Assistant

Kenyatta University Environmental Club (KUNEC)

Office of the congress Person and Non-Resident