Rafiki Link

Do you know what rafiki means?  It’s a Swahili word for FRIENDSHIP.

Rafiki Link is a technology-based program which links youth in Maai Mahiu, Kenya in a community of friendship and support with youth in other parts of the world. We connect groups which would otherwise be isolated with partners engaging in similar activities in the West. We connect peers with peers.  For more information, see the Rafiki Link Blog.

Through participation in the Rafiki Link, Bodwell students learn skills for the 21st century:  empathy, cross-cultural understanding, technology skills, and global awareness.

History & Accomplishments

Rafiki Link began with a friendship between Bodwell High School and three schools in Kenya. In August 2007, five of students travelled to Kenya with two staff, Mali Bain and Kevin Kubish.  Maai Mahiu Town is located outside of Nairobi in the Rift Valley.  There the Bodwell team volunteered in an orphanage painting buildings, spent time doing HIV/AIDS community outreach with local youth, and built friendships.

In fall 2007, Rafiki Link then grew into a school-wide commitment at Bodwell High School to its partner schools in Kenya.  Three students – Mary, Caroline, and Michael – have been sponsored to attend secondary school.  We are very proud that, thanks in part to the fundraising of Bodwell students, these three hard-working students will graduate high school in December 2011.  For Mary, she is the first ever girl to graduate high school in her village!

In summer 2008, Bodwell sent the founding teacher back to Maai Mahiu, along with laptops, modems, and a vision of online communication between schools in Kenya and in North America. Today, Bodwell maintains this through providing internet service support for Maai Mahiu Secondary School.

Take a look at video examples below of the online exchange that has made up Rafiki Link.

In 2008, Rafiki Link became an official part of CTC International’s education programs in Maai Mahiu.  In 2009, Bodwell High School students visited again – this time spending significant time with Kenyan high school students, building a garden behind the local primary school.  In both 2010 and 2011, Bodwell High School visited, building a toilet at Maai Mahiu Secondary (see the amazing video below, and the report from Maai Mahiu students) and a garden at CTC office. 

For more information on Bodwell’s annual Kenya Volunteer Trip, click here.

On top of many school activities, Bodwell and Maai Mahiu Secondary also organize the Canada-Kenya Essay Competition, whereby Kenyan and Bodwell youth select winning essays from their international peers.  The recent Kenyan essay winner was congratulated in person with a beautiful trophy by our Bodwell volunteer students.  This competition helps students at Bodwell and its partner school practice English and share diverse cultural perspectives.

Rafiki Link continues to grow as more schools join our network, both online and in person!