Project Riandu

In Riandu, a community in rural Kenya, a group of University of Nottingham students are making their mark by working collaboratively to address a significant local problem whilst enhancing their own skills, employability and social awareness. Known as ‘Project Riandu’, this is a student-run venture with the incredible objective of building a secondary school for deaf pupils in the township of Riandu, Kenya. 

In this part of Kenya, there is a dire need for a specialised facility for the education of deaf pupils, where stigma against disability is rife. Project Riandu has found support not only from dozens of University of Nottingham students, but also from educational and religious organisations in Kenya itself, making this project a truly inclusive and far-reaching enterprise.

The team is primarily comprised of University of Nottingham Architecture students, but incorporates the skills and abilities of students from other disciplines in Communications and Administration roles, ensuring they have access to a broad range of skills which is contributing to the success of the project.

 
Project Riandu received a Cascade grant of £12,000 in May 2015 to fund the construction of two large classrooms, which were designed by University of Nottingham Architecture students and are currently being built on site by the Project Riandu team. These classrooms will see hundreds of deaf teenagers pass through and receive an education, and the structures will stand proudly not only as first-class facilities but also as centres for learning, growth and changing attitudes. This in turn will have a lasting impact on the attitudes towards those with disabilities in Kenyan society. See progress to date via our image gallery.

The University of Nottingham’s Cascade fund exists to enhance the skills, social awareness and employability of students while making a significant impact on communities, both locally and globally. Following this model, Cascade has financed some incredible and life-changing projects in its eight year history, and Project Riandu is the latest shining example of a project which perfectly encapsulates the Cascade values.