Making science a cup of tea for laymen

One year ago, Ruth Wanjala and Juliette Mutheu formulated a relaxed way of disseminating scientific information to the public in coffee houses. They invite experts to speak to lay people on health, writes HAROLD AYODO

The invited scientists — mostly doctors — respond to an audience drawn from university students, employed and non-employed people. The first Kenyan Science CafÈ (KSC) was held at Java Coffee House where medical experts spoke on benefits of finding a HIV and Aids vaccine.

The second cafÈ, which focused on malaria, was held at the Savannah coffee lounge in September 2009 while the next tackled climate change and was held at the Discovery lounge.

Juliette Mutheu

Do people take you seriously when you — as women — approach them to attend your sessions?

I hold a degree in Biomedical Science from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, and do not believe science is a preserve of men. The scientists we approach to preside over our sessions treat us with respect — the same applies to the men we invite as the audience.

What challenges have you faced?

Convincing people that science is not hard and that it forms part of their daily lives. Scientists were at first reluctant to participate until they attended some and saw it as a success, heard from their peers or read articles in the mainstream media.

Is the KSC the first of its kind in Africa?

We are the fifth country to have a science cafÈ in the continent after Egypt, Cameroon, South Africa and Uganda. We are different as we try to discuss topics on health that directly affect the common man — we recently had a session on mental health with testimonies from former patients.

We want to address our basic health concerns before moving to the present developments in developed countries like nanotechnology.

What do you have for the prospective audience that stays out of Nairobi?

I was thinking of getting into radio because of its reach in rural areas and the fact that they are vernacular. Interactive live transmissions with listeners calling in would be the way to go.

Countries that invest in sciences have appealing Gross Domestic Products (GDPs). We should realise that the vision 2030 is highly pegged on applied sciences.

We are currently finalising plans to host a grand debate on science to make people start talking.

What was your childhood dream?

I changed my ambitions from wanting to make people happy — as a young girl — and nursed dreams of being a pilot and later a doctor before landing in science. I am actually making people happy through science. We are basically putting a human face to science.

How was it like coming up with the KSC?

Demanding. We sacrificed a lot — including meeting on the streets (at Kencom, to be exact) after work to plan the cafÈs.

We used our savings to kick-start and maintain the sessions before our major sponsors extended a helping hand.

We had to research and read on topics proposed for discussion before meeting the experts. We had to convince them that we knew what we are saying.

What inspires you and where do you see KSC five years on?

My grandmother, mother and little children are my role models. We can learn a lot from children who are honest in what they do or say. Five years should find me holding a masters degree and possibly a PhD as the KSC spreads its wings across the country.

What other contributions have you made in the science world?

I have delivered talks and made conference presentations on science platforms in conferences, including in South Africa and Tanzania. I have several peer reviewed publications and I organised a science careers day at Alliance Girls High School