CWS/OPE Nairobi Lesson Plans Highlight: Eritreans Highlight: East & Sub-Saharan Africa

CWS/OPE Nairobi

Date Established
October 2007

Refugees The program's caseload consists primarily of refugees from Somalia, Burundi, Congo, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Sudan, and Eritrea. The education levels of these refugees vary considerably. Some have attended university while others have had no schooling.  

While Cultural Orientation targets those who are 15 years and above, younger children will often attend class.

Training Sites Trainings are conducted in camps and urban centers throughout Eastern and Southern Africa. It’s anticipated that in fiscal year 2009, trainings will be conducted in Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.

Course Particulars Cultural Orientation classes are conducted over three days for six hours each day. The average class size is 25 individuals.

The course content is based on the Welcome to the U.S. guide and video, and the Cultural Orientation Student Workbook developed by JVA/Nairobi. Depending on the needs of the participants, certain topics receive more emphasis than others. For example, those coming from camps will likely require more training regarding housing.

The training methodology is largely experiential, although that, too, depends on the needs of the participants. Trainers use lectures, discussions, debates, role-plays and videos. In the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, a classroom is fitted with a model kitchen and bathroom for practical hands-on experience.

Whenever possible, Cultural Orientation is conducted in the native languages of the participants. At other times, CO is conducted in English and interpreted using local, trained interpreters.

Staff Profile The Cultural Orientation staff, based in Nairobi, consists of a Regional Coordinator, Program Assistant, Administration Assistant, and eight CO Trainers. The staff are U.S. and Kenyan nationals with experience in intercultural communication and education/training. They have a collective proficiency in English, Kiswahili, and Somali.

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