Reciprocity in KER Kenya Health and Development
Start Date
9-8-2010 10:30 AM
End Date
9-8-2010 12:00 PM
Description
Reciprocal giving is a deeply rooted tradition in East African cultures. Reciprocity between Kenyans and foreign students is built into the learning process but continues, voluntarily, after the students leave our program. In this paper/presentation, I explore African and American concepts of equitable and acceptable reciprocity and how these are played out in the academic and post program contexts. Focusing on two coastal communities and Kibera (slum of ‘Constant Gardener’ fame) I show projects that have been initiated and carried out by SIT students and explain how this trend began. Informal, individual or family to family reciprocity has also taken root among our students though this form is seldom noted.
Reciprocity in KER Kenya Health and Development
Reciprocal giving is a deeply rooted tradition in East African cultures. Reciprocity between Kenyans and foreign students is built into the learning process but continues, voluntarily, after the students leave our program. In this paper/presentation, I explore African and American concepts of equitable and acceptable reciprocity and how these are played out in the academic and post program contexts. Focusing on two coastal communities and Kibera (slum of ‘Constant Gardener’ fame) I show projects that have been initiated and carried out by SIT students and explain how this trend began. Informal, individual or family to family reciprocity has also taken root among our students though this form is seldom noted.