Youthlinc - Creating lifetime humanitarians

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construction KENYA
Tentative Trip Dates: July 15 – 30, 2012
Meet the Kenya Team and Alum Leaders

The 2011 Youthlinc Kenya team returned for their fourth and final visit to the remote village of Kiamuri. 2011 has been a brutal year for the Kenyans, as they face some of the deadliest drought conditions recorded in the area. Due to the incredible dedication of the Kenya team, generous grants from the Michel foundation, a Rotary International Global Grant supported by Utah Rotary Clubs and the Rotary Club of Middleton, England, and a vibrant partnership with the Kenyans that Youthlinc has harnessed over years, amazing work was accomplished, and much needed support was offered to Kiamuri. Here are just the highlights of what was accomplished in the area:

Almost every experience on this trip was meaningful, but the most meaningful and humbling experiences were the ones in which the community expressed such gratitude to us for being there. Seeing how much we meant to them made me realize how important our presence really was….I think my team and I definitely impacted the people. We gave them hope, positivity, classrooms, mural-- and friendship.

–Elizabeth Smith; University of Utah

Construction

Thanks to generous donations by the Michel Family Foundation, the team was able to improve the quality of education in the area by giving students a safe and stable place to learn. They were able to accomplish an incredible amount!

Constructed 2 classrooms at Gikuuru Primary, offering stonework and roof support for one of the classrooms
Demolished an old dilapidated classroom
Built bases for 2 water tanks, which will make it possible for the community to have access to water
Built walls for another classroom
Helped dig a foundation at Kiamuri Primary School.

I believe Youthlinc has had a great impact, not just in the dust, but in the hearts of the children. We left a mark of a brighter future these children can search for.
--Bryon Ensign, East High School

Education & Cultural

Taught multiple lessons to the children in the area
Collected school supplies for each of the 4 schools in the area

My favorite part was teaching at the secondary school because we actually got to talk with people our age about their lives and what sort of things they go through on a day-to-day basis. It was a very humbling experience that made me really appreciate what I have.
-- Erin Olson, Logan High School
Painted 2 beautiful murals at 2 schools
Organized the Mondo art exchange at 3 schools, allowing for an international exchange of art created by children
Cultural exchanges with locals about their daily lives
Successful fun fair/closing ceremonies

We definitely had a huge impact on their lives. Just at the opening ceremonies we were given so many gifts. They said that they were able to give us these gifts because Youthlinc had improved their lives in the previous years.
--Jaclyn Bawden, Jordan High School

construction

Medical

Treated patients in clinics
Distributed 900 envelopes and over 5000 reusable pads to girls in maturation lessons
Dental lessons were huge success
Taught male maturation
Provided lots of medical supplies and medicine for hospital
Dr. John Oglesby, OBGYN, delivered many babies and conducted clinics in outlying hospitals, with Youthlinc students observing.

A mother came in with a baby that was six months old and had malaria and was extremely dehydrated. I was able to help cool down the baby, and even hold the baby. I saw that baby go from almost dying to have a chance of living because the teamwork of John, myself and other team members.
--Meagan Marz; Salt Lake Community College

The people were so unbelievably gracious for all that Youthlinc has done from them in the last few years. Without a single doubt, Youthlinc meant a lot to their community.
--Jessica Oglesby; East High School

Microenterprise

Taught each of the 4 groups of women lessons on how to run a business
Each person on committee taught lessons
After teaching each group of the lessons, we interviewed the current and prospective borrowers.

We raised funds for loans that were given to women in Kenya to help them start a business. While in Kenya, I taught finance and business technique classes and helped with the process and paperwork of getting the loans to the women.
--Breanne Corbridge; Weber State University

I think I found my calling in life, in helping others. I love service, and now I can see that I can personally make a difference in the world.
– Brianna Dixon; Viewmont High School

2012 Trip

Next year, Youthlinc looks forward to visiting Kajuki, Kenya. Due to the severe shortage of rainfall in the area, the people in this region, about 3and half hours north of Nairobi, live in abject poverty, unable to grow sufficient crops or sustain an adequate quality of life. 2012 Youthlinc has partnered with the Rotary Club of Meru and Utah Rotary Clubs to complete a rainwater catchment system, providing a clean water source to those in the area. This affects as many as 4,000 people who are otherwise are relegated to walking as many as 13 miles a day to search for water. Also, part of the grant is designated for furniture, computers and vocational equipment for the primary school in Kajuki, as well as a much needed truck that the community leader can use for transportation of those who are ill to local hospitals.

Additionally, there are a few other projects we are excited about:

Working to improve the vocational training center which now is a three sided shack
Bringing in solar panels to the secondary school of Kajuki, as well as improving their science lab.
Constructing bathrooms and showers for the boarding schools in the area, as well as upgrade the dangerous dorms that the students now sleep in. Right now, the dorms are corrugated tin structures with dirt floors and no lighting at night. Pit latrines are simple deep holes in the ground.
With microenterprise being so successful in Kenya, we are eager to allow some of the villagers in Kajuki the opportunity to start their own small businesses using loans that can be recycled back into the community for sustainable economic growth.
Providing supplies to the pre-school and renovating the dilapidated school building

2012 Kenya Team Leader: Scott Bawden

This is Scott's third year with Youthlinc and his second as Team Leader. On Scott's first trip he took his son and had such an amazing experience, he had to return as soon as possible. Scott went this past year with his daughter and had another wonderful and magical experience. For Scott, Kenya is a magical place with some of the most kind, caring, and generous people you will ever meet. Scott has been involved with youth service projects for the last 14 years and absolutely loves spending time with the type of young people that get involved with Youthlinc. The students that he has had the privilege of working with the past 2 years are some of the most amazing people he has ever met and he can’t wait to meet another wonderful group for Kenya 2012. The Youthlinc experience is life changing and one of the most amazing experiences he has ever had. Scott has a beautiful wife Michelle. They have been married for 23 years and have 3 wonderful children. Kevin is 19 and participated in 2010 with Youthlinc. Jaclyn is 17 and went this last year to Kenya and Jill is 13. We have two awesome beagles named Tucker and Hunter.

Other than traveling to Kenya with Youthlinc, Scott's favorite things to do are golfing, jeeping, rapelling off of arches, listening to rock music (if it’s too loud, you’re too old), going to any Utah Utes games and going to Lake Powell. Scott works at the University of Utah School of Medicine as a Computer Professional which means he's pretty much just a computer geek. He also has his own computer repair company which keeps him extra busy but allows him the ability to do lots of playing. Scott can’t say enough good things about the Youthlinc program and especially the Kenya teams he has had the fortune of working with. Kenya 2012 will be another exciting adventure as we go to a new village named Kajuki and get to learn to love the people there and help them help themselves to a better way of life. At the same time they will teach us how to be happy and joyful no matter our circumstances in life.

2012 Kenya Alumni Leader: Kevin Bawden

Kevin is really looking forward to being a part of the 2012 Youthlinc team, and especially the opportunity to work with a whole new group of people who love to serve. In 2010, Kevin went to Kenya with his father. It was an amazing place and the people were wonderful to him. His experiences were life changing and they helped him appreciate the things he has. Kevin loves serving others and finding ways to help those around him. He currently serves at the Boys and Girls Club and wherever else help is needed. He is always looking for opportunities to serve. That's why for Kevin, Youthlinc is a wonderful opportunity because it gives people a chance to serve their community and make lifelong friends while doing it.

Right now, Kevin is attending the Salt Lake Community College and plans on transferring to the University of Utah to pursue medical school. Kevin has wonderful parents and two awesome little sisters. He loves hanging with his family and friends. He is a huge sports fan (go UTES!), and loves going to Lake Powell and spending time outside.

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