Our story / Since 2012

A visit.
A conversation.
A lasting connection.

How a connection between a school in Kenya and students in Laguna Beach became a student-led initiative.

Laguna Beach ↔ Oloolaimutia, Kenya
Historical photograph of Oloolaimutia Primary School.
Oloolaimutia Primary SchoolArchive photograph

How the connection began

One visit.
A relationship carried forward.

In 2012, LBHS Model United Nations advisor Mr. Shen visited Oloolaimutia Primary School. Back in Laguna Beach, MUN students began carrying that connection forward through a student-led partnership.

The photograph is one moment in the archive. The story is the relationship between students in Laguna Beach and the Oloolaimutia community, renewed as each new group learns about the work and its history.

LBHS MUN leader Mr. Shen standing with another adult in a classroom during a school visit.
Mr. Shen · LBHS MUN leaderArchive photograph · image date to confirm

One visit.
A new direction.

In 2012, an LBHS Model United Nations advisor visited the elementary school in Oloolaimutia, Kenya. Back in Laguna Beach, students heard about the visit and organized a partnership within the MUN program.

The initiative gave students a way to connect learning with practical efforts beyond their own school. Across the years, its archive describes classroom desks, an energy proposal, education support, a water project, and jewelry sales.

The common thread is continuity: a relationship that students can carry forward as one school year gives way to the next.

Read the original LBHS account

The idea behind the partnership

Listen. Learn.
Carry it forward.

A long-term relationship begins with local knowledge and continues through student involvement.

  1. 01

    Listen first

    Community perspectives help explain what matters in Oloolaimutia, Kenya.

    Students seated at desks during a classroom lesson.
    Archive photograph · date to confirm
  2. 02

    Bring people together

    Students learn, share the story, and organize around a common purpose.

    A group of students gathered outside their school.
    Archive photograph · date to confirm
  3. 03

    Follow through

    Project records and continued communication connect one student cohort to the next.

    Students and an adult gathered inside a classroom.
    Archive photograph · date to confirm

The next chapter

There’s a place
for you in this story.

Curiosity is a good beginning. Learn about the work, share the story, or explore ways to take part.

Find your way to get involved