During the first three days of acclimatizing with the East African warm weather, American students explored the conservation and education areas, organizations and institutions in Nairobi before heading out camping across the country. Moments of profound learning, awe and friendly engagement were shared with their Kenyan counterparts in and experiential learning course.

Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW) hosted University of Denver students from the United States of America (USA) in Kenya for a two-week course from November 28 to December 12, 2022. The 13 students were pursuing a Master’s of Science in Social Work at the Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW). The field-based course was designed to introduce students to the social, political, economic, cultural and conservation issues of Kenya and East Africa.

The course focused on service learning and direct experiences including conservation projects and field work focusing on ANAW’s hands-on conservation programs such as humane education, conservation education and capacity development to empower individuals and communities to support alternatives to the illegal bush-meat trade.

A successful understanding of social work in Kenya took place at a one-day symposium at University of Nairobi facilitated by ANAW that was a supportive learning activity, interaction and discussion related to social work and animal welfare. With the support of ANAW team, students were able to learn policy and relevant laws with a focus on such topics as the conservation of nature and biodiversity, sustainability, land use, humane treatment and care of animals.

Students experienced first-hand the social, cultural, historical, political, environmental, ecological and economic realities that currently exist in Kenya. The trip highlighted local issues and community-based efforts that facilitate socio-environmental justice to promote critical thinking and develop a knowledge-base for intervention strategies as well as environmental awareness, sense of belonging in a community, sustainability, resilience and advocacy.

The interaction with different communities provided an opportunity to explore concepts of ecological economic sustainability with the Kasigau women basket weavers, table banking with a women’s group in the shores of Lake Naivasha, the Kijabe Environment volunteers, Kibera Girls Soccer Academy (KGSA) among other groups. The student had a chance to learn from Kenya Wildlife Service Community Warden in Naivasha, Esther Wangeci, who explained how the government was working with communities to ensure an ecological balance between wildlife and the people.

The trip was conducted in three regions; Nairobi, Nakuru and Coast.