MMUST 2nd Year Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance Students Gain Valuable Soft Skills as They Engage in Community Service Learning
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology’s second-year students in the School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (SDMHA) have had the opportunity to gain valuable soft skills following Community Service Learning initiatives. The activities, which took place at the Kakamega School for the Deaf and Shikusa Borstal Institution (SBI) on 12th May, 2025, were spearheaded by Dr. Betty Opilo with support from the Dean-SDMHA, Dr. Ferdinand Nabiswa. The event was part of the School’s field skills practicum, aimed at enhancing effective disaster response and recovery, while at the same time addressing community needs.
Speaking during the exercise, Dr. Nabiswa pointed out that community service and outreach is one of the key mandates of the University. As a result of this, he noted that the University is keen on shaping students into informed, empathetic and engaged citizens. “Community Service Learning is an important aspect of field skills and practicum, where we combine classroom learning with real-world community service. These activities are not only a learning experience for students, but also a way of giving back to the surrounding communities,” remarked Dr. Nabiswa, adding that the climax of these exercises will be experiential learning, which will take place in Budalangi.
A teacher at the Kakamega School for the Deaf, Ms. Winnie Mudashi (in a red dress), receives gift donations from MMUST SDMHA students.
“On behalf of Shikusa Borstal, I would like to thank MMUST for reaching out to this institution and offering emotional as well as material support to our boys. When these boys receive such kinds of visitors, they feel loved and cared for,” said the Superintendent in Charge of SBI, Mr. George Odera. Mr. Odera further revealed that SBI is a juvenile institution that rehabilitates boys who have been in conflict with the law, and that it currently has a population of 204 inmates ranging from ages 15 to 20. He added, “Shikusa has had a longstanding relationship with MMUST and therefore we look forward to the signing of our Collaborative Agreement, which has already been initiated, in order to take this partnership to the next level.”
Dr. Opilo, a Senior Technician in SDMHA, stated that the activities were a success, adding that they were preceded by a needs assessment exercise. She commended her students for demonstrating excellent teamwork and problem-solving skills throughout the activities. “Our students have been involved right from the needs assessment stage, up to the actual implementation of this humanitarian aid initiative. I believe that they have learnt about community needs, resource mobilization, and how to contribute positively to the society in a more practical setting,” said Dr. Opilo, expressing confidence that the students will make great disasters and humanitarian aid managers.
MMUST students distribute bread and juice to children at the Kakamega School for the Deaf.
In an interview with DCCM, a teacher at the Kakamega School for the Deaf, Ms. Winnie Mudashi, thanked MMUST for the close relationship that it has had with the School over the years. “Today, MMUST students have spent quality time with our children by sharing a meal with them, playing together and assisting them with general cleaning. My students and I are very grateful for the donations that we have received from the University and I urge the community to support us in terms of fee payment, food and upkeep to cover some of the kids’ basic needs,” noted Ms. Mudashi.
As a University that is committed to producing competent graduates, MMUST has continuously exposed its students to real-world applications, ensuring that they gain both technical and soft skills. Certainly, activities such as Community Service Learning provide a direct link for students to positively impact the livelihood of the society, whilst growing academically.
By Caren Nekesa and Wangari Wambugu
