Best Practices

[This is a temporary update to this page]

A collection of stories, lessons learned and other accumulated wisdom intended to help us learn from our mistakes and occasional spontaneous successes. For a more academic treatment of similar issues, see the original member research and suggested readings page.

Note - People whose names follow list items in parenthesis would have good stories or knowledge to contribute.

Domestic Organization

How to perpetuate a kick-ass student organization.

• EWB Pick-up lines - how to get fresh talent involved)
• There's got to be more, but this might be something to focus on at a later date.

Travel Team Member Guidelines

Living and working in Khwisero.

• Packing List - What should travelers bring to Khwisero.
• Travel Tips - List of vaccines need for travel, etc.
• Positives of the Travel Experience - What comes out of the travel experience
• Drugs and Alcohol - (Quinn and Thomas)
• Handouts and gifts - (Cameron Chen, Callie Blackwood and Justin)
• Awkward Khwisero Situations - Solicitations (Matt Smith, John Rios), marriage proposals (Megan Malone and Matt Rine), adoptions/child support/scholarships etc.
• Hazards to be Aware Of - Khwisero's post-sunset nightlife and other things worth avoiding
• Garbage management - How much of it we produce and what to do about it
• Feminine products - (Kiera M.)
• Harrasment - (Molly B.)
• Local Transportation - (Eric D. , Molly B.
• Communication - (Kiera M., Sydney)
• Conducting Individual Research - ( John Rios, Eric Dietrich)
• Building Relationships - (Eric D, Megan Malone)
• Team Dynamics - (Eric D.)
• Wazungu Perception - Eric

Project Management

Not just for PM's!

• The role of a Project Manager - guidelines, expectations and leadership
• Housing - Ins and outs of living with a family in the community
• Project selection - deciding what to build and where to build it
• Working with the Khwisero Board
• Working with Government Officials
• Community Perception of Kenyan Volunteers
• Composting Latrine Construction
• Working with Fundis - (Molly, Chris A., Chris M.)
• Bidding/Tender Processes — How they work in Kenya, how to avoid pitfalls (Molly, Eric, Kalen)
• Well Construction - (JJ Larsen, Megan, Chris A., Quinn)
• Concrete - (Chris A.)
• Facilitating Water User Committee Formation & Elections - (Eric)
• Working with Money - (Griffin)
• Gathering Information -
• Community Engagement - How to facilitate meaningful participation (Quinn)
• Dealing with Setbacks - (Eric)
• Becoming a Better Facilitator - (Scott)

Misc. Bits and Pieces that should probably be worked into something above

Representatives of EWB
Representatives of larger Kenyan community
Defining “community” in Khwisero
Defining community buy-in
Methods of community engagement
MEM elections story