Africa SOMA is a federally and provincially registered not-for profit, fully volunteer organization supporting small-scale educational initiatives in rural Kenya. Most of our activities are based out of the rural Maasai community, Elangata Wuas, in Southern Kenya and in the Nairobi slums, where we work with local organizations servicing youth. Our current programs are all operated in collaboration
with the Elangata Wuas Resource Center committee (EWRC), a local community based organization established in 2007 with the complimentary aim of increasing access to education in Maasailand. Secondary Scholarship Program - since 2005 we have annually awarded 4 merit-based scholarships to primary school graduates from Elangata Wuas zone. Community Library Project - starting in 2007 Africa SOMA worked closely with the EWRC to find funding and resources for the building and furnishing of a Community Library. In August 2010 the Community Library was opened, and since then we have been working on numerous library programming initiatives. Our current focus is on fundraising for the installation of a solar-powered computer lab with internet access in the Library.
3. Art Exchange Program - Africa SOMA, in conjunction with our interns, facilitates educational art exchanges between North American/European and Kenyan primary classes. Art was removed from the Primary School curriculum in Kenya, and thus these creative projects give Kenyan classes opportunities for creative expression while providing an opportunity to learn about and connect with students in a different part of the world.
4. Cultural Dialogue Youth Exchange Program - Within Kenya, Africa SOMA has facilitated a number of exchange programs between youth from rural and urban areas. One exchange program brought youth from a slum area of Nairobi to visit Maasailand for one week. Youth were able to collaborate artistically, academically and socially with youth from a different ethnic background and living situation. These exchanges provide invaluable learning experiences and work to diminish negative stereotyping between different ethnic communities in Kenya.
5. Internship/Volunteer Teaching Program - Every year Africa SOMA sends between 4-7 interns to spend at least 2 months working with the EWRC to provide help to local teachers contribute to programming at the Community Library. Teacher shortages are a stark reality in this area and interns are often able to help with marking and class supervision in local schools, facilitate art exchanges, and bring students to the Community Library to take part in educational library programming. Interns are partnered with a local youth guide for the duration of their stay, who is their key resource and helps them integrate into the community.
