Geography

The Department of Geography, founded in 1908, is one of the oldest departments of its kind in the country. The department enjoys a long-standing international reputation for academic research by staff in a wide range of areas within human and physical geography.

Geography

Geography Open Day accommodation

Description

9th or 16th April 2013

For more information please visit: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/geography/prospectiveug

You will receive details of the open days by letter/email. If you need further information please contact Tom Sullivan tom.sullivan@sheffield.ac.uk or 0114 2227980.

West Pokot fundraising for an additional classroom at Mbara preschool

Description

The Geography Department at the University of Sheffield runs annual field classes for both Masters level (MA International Development, MPH (Masters in Public Health) International Development and MSc. Environmental Change and International Development) and third year undergraduate students to West Pokot, a remote region in north-western Kenya characterised by the highest levels of poverty nationally. These field classes give students the chance to practically apply their research skills undertaking projects of their own design across three villages; Marich, Mbara and Tikeet. Money raised is channelled through and distributed for a variety of poverty relief, health, nutrition, education and capacity-building projects. Over the last three years have raised over £4000 that has gone towards the construction of a health clinic in the village of Tikeet which is now all but finished. In the absence of roads, those requiring access to health care were previously forced to walk 12kms to the nearest health facility. Now with the new health centre and the sinking of a borehole (providing the only source of potable water in the village) the pastoral community will have access to nursing care and medication that will save lives.
In addition a few of our students have undertaken fundraising to establish a pre-school in the village of Mbara where we work, high in the mountains and only accessible by a 4 hour walk along a steep dirt track. The pre-school consisting of one classroom currently has 50 pupils but only has a capacity of 32. Currently two classes are run by two teachers in the same room and there is a clear need for a new classroom to accommodate more children and to separate them into learning groups. The Kenyan educational system is based on the use of English and Kiswahili yet many children only speak Pokot and as a result suffer academically. The pre-school employs teaching staff from outside the locality and all classes are deliberately taught in English and Kiswahili.
This year International Development students hope to raise £2500 pounds which would pay for a new classroom and additonal facilities such as a Kitchen so that food provided for the children can be cooked on site. The classroom has been fully costed and will be built by locals using locally sourced materials. We would like to raise all this money before the summer so that construction can get under way - any donations would be gratefully received.

Please select your donation amount below.