Building Partnerships for Orphaned & Vulnerable Children

Summer 2008

NOTE: This program is offered in even-numbered years only

July 10 – August 11, 2008

Sponsored by the Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources,

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

This program’s focus is on building partnerships with an established indigenous NGO (non-governmental organization) — Kenyan Orphans Rural Development Programme (KORDP) and the local communities it serves in Western Kenya. KORDP is currently working with several rural villages to ameliorate the effects of the HIV-AIDS pandemic on community environments. It is our intention that this program will create and maintain meaningful relationships between MSU and KORDP. Our goal is to nurture mutual reciprocity for students and the staff of KORDP.

Students will be actively engaged with KORDP staff to enhance community development efforts. They will gain a good understanding of non-profit leadership and the HIV-AIDS orphan crisis.

What can I study?

Students will be required to enroll for a minimum of six (6) credits from the following courses:

Learning experiences will include:

1. Developing capacity to assist with accessing food/clothing/shelter for those most affected, primarily orphans and vulnerable children.
2. Providing systematic experiences for young children to prepare them for school by ensuring they are receiving regular meals, basic health care, positive and consistent adult interactions and healthy peer interactions.
3. Improving the conditions of the Early Childhood Development Centers (ECDs) constructed and maintained by each local community so they can consistently meet the needs of the children who attend them.
4. Assisting grassroots efforts to develop the efficacy of income-generating activities so as to advance capacity to sustain each project. Students will be working side by side with KORDP staff and community members.
5. Implementing recreation programs for children and youth development

What are the requirements?

Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.00 at the time of application. Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

Additionally, students must submit an essay with their application stating why they wish to participate in this program.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Students will stay in local hotels, guest houses and retreat centers.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Dr. Jeanne Gazel, Director
Multi-Racial Unity Living Experience, VPSAS
Faculty, Integrative Studies in Social Science
C-239 Holden Hall
Phone: (517) 432-5266
E-mail: gazeljea@msu.edu

Heng-Chieh Jamie Wu, Co-Instructor
PhD Candidate, Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies
Research Assistant, Community Evaluation and Research Center
33 Suite Kellogg Center
Phone: (517) 884-1419
E-mail: wuhengch@msu.edu

Do I need a passport or visa?

A valid passport and visa are required for entry into Kenya. All U.S. passport holders can obtain a visa upon entry at the Nairobi airport.

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States. If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date. If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of twelve weeks are usually required for processing. During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required. Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices. They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/passports.html

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose. The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early. It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.

For more information about visas visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/visas.html

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

For further health information and recommendations visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/health.html

How much does it cost?

The program fee is $2,754 and includes the following:

• application fee ($100)
• deposit ($200)
• pre-departure orientation
• accommodations
• meals
• accident and sickness insurance
• field trips

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

• MSU tuition and fees*
• airfare
• additional meals
• books and supplies
• passport application fee ($100)
• visa application fees (if applicable)
• pre-departure doctor visits
• pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
• personal spending money

Students may request a cost sheet which estimates these additional expenses not included in the program fee by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee. Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses. (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

*Check http://www.ctlr.msu.edu/studrec/ for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU; non-MSU students pay the Lifelong Education rate, regardless of state of residence.

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid.

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing. This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university. If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/finaid/index.html

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships. Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need. Requirements are listed in the scholarship application. The deadline to apply for these scholarships is March 1st for summer programs.

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/scholarships/index.html

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form by visiting http://studyabroad.msu.edu/applications/index.html

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by March 1st for summer programs. We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to this deadline.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year. Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required. Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program. Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter. You can also read the handbook online at http://studyabroad.msu.edu/abcs/index.html.