Kaya Teleza Conservation Group was formed by local community members towards the end of 2011. The organization was based on the abuse of the only natural resource in the area, the Kaya forest. Poaching of bush animals and illegally uncontrolled cutting of trees was on the rise. The aim of forming this group was to collaborate with the Kaya elders together with other conservation institutions to help in protecting the sacred forest and its inhabitants. The group has also initiated agro-business, planting vegetables to support members financially who consist mostly of young people, due to increase of high rate of unemployment in the local community.

To encourage the local people to come together to engage in conservation projects to reduce poverty among community members hence promotion of community development.

To conserve the Kaya Teleza as a national monument and traditional forest; Create job opportunities for the youth; Elevate poverty and idleness from the school leaving youths; Improve living standards of the community at large through community development projects; Create awareness on the importance of conserving Kaya Teleza to the community.

Volunteers will work for six hours daily from Mondays to Fridays with focus on the conservation of forest trails, agro-business, cultural activities; camping site; bee keeping; traditional cuisines; fish farming; aloe farming; tree nursery.

Awareness campaigns on World Heritage conservation, traditional dances, teaching, home visits, cultural nights and topical discussions.

What to carry?
This is outlined in the detailed info sheet and includes, sleeping bag and mat, toiletries, torch/flashlight, sandals, mosquito net, national flag from your country, among others.

These are usually symbolic gestures to enhance the solidarity of volunteers and the hosting community. Kindly contact KVDA for details in case you are willing to support a worthy cause in the community either by offering a donation or long-term intervention on the project.

Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forest is enlisted as a world Heritage site by UNESCO and if the site is not protected, conserved and promoted, it will be destroyed by human encroachment with the population upsurge and hence its cultural significance to the local community will be rendered extinct.

Will be done on 3rd February 2014 at KVDA Residence in Nairobi and the team will leave for the project on the morning of 4th February 2014.

This will be done subject to provision of full flight details. The port of entry to Kenya is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Volunteers may stay at KVDA Residence in Nairobi at a fee.

The project participation fees that is all-inclusive for the three weeks work camp is Euro 300. The participation fee covers
project preparation cycle, return transfers from the airport and the project, KVDA administration, orientation, certificate of participation, project coordination, facilitation, evaluation and monitoring. It does not cover excursion activities, local travel while in the community, personal effects, needs and wants.

KVDA does not provide insurance and volunteers should obtain travel insurance cover. It is a good idea to get medicine you are used to from your home country and seek advice from your personal doctor.

KVDA offers educational tours to spectacular sites of interest at separate fees. Please contact us for specific tour information.

Volunteers will stay in a house provided by the community with very basic living conditions. KVDA will provide foodstuffs and the volunteers will cook their own meals in turns. There will be no beds. Water is available from springs and it is recommended that drinking water should be boiled or medicated. Mineral water available at supermarkets is also recommended. There is no electricity connection at the project but volunteers can charge their electric appliances at the nearest market center.

English is the language of the work camp. There will be a possibility of learning Kiswahili or other international and local languages as cultural diversity is a major component in international service.

Will be sent to the volunteer sending organization as soon as the application is accepted by KVDA.

Should be done via e-mail at least one month before the start of the project.

Kisumu County, Western Kenya

Conservation: Eco-tourism and Agro-forestry

Volunteers should be 50 years and above. Volunteers below this age limit cannot be accepted on this project.

Tich Kouma Community Based organization was registered on 5th July 2011 as a self-help group under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development. The project is situated in the heart of Kisumu city that is the third largest city in Kenya after Nairobi and Mombasa respectively. The site is situated behind Tom Mboya Labour College off Ring Road. The group members are residents of Nanga, Dunga, Kapuothe, Katuoro, Got Owak, Sigalagala, Kogello, Milimani that are villages within Winam Division of Kisumu East district, Nyanza province.

To build a social and economic force taking advantage of the environment and best use of natural resources for sustainability.
Provide funds for conservation to preserve the biomas flora and fauna, culture and history, to set sustainable use of limits of the wetland and to protect natural attractions alongside the preservation of existing endemic species.
To empower members through income generating activities as adaptive to natural resources available at the project site.
To engage appropriate technology innovatively by wise use practices like conservation farming.
To build human capital through empowerment of the community by utilization of intellectual property rights-like making of conservation furniture through weaving of papyrus reed in the making process.
To engage in activities aimed at alleviating poverty, creating employment and engagement with equity.
Advocate for environmental restoration, conservation by showcasing the way forward through activities like tree planting, nursery, husbandry, farm management and related activities that can create micro climate for Kisumu city.

Agro forestry, eco-tourism and conservation activities as outlined in the objectives of the group.

Volunteers will work for maximum of six hours daily from Monday to Friday and the schedule is flexible to suit into the capability of individual volunteers. The focus will be on the following manual work and intercultural activities...

- Agro forestry
- Eco-tourism
- Conservation activities as outlined in the objectives of the group
- Home visits
- Cultural days for various nationalities
- Topical discussion with the local people

CONSERVATION: ECO-TOURISM AND AGRO-FORESTRY
This project is a masterpiece in Kisumu city and it is situated in a serene environment on wetland that the group has effectively exploited to promote the objectives of the project. The project site is beholding with magnificent traditional structures, fish ponds, tree nursery and the agro forestry program and all these are powerful indicators of the grand march by the team members to spur socio-economic development. The conservation activities undertaken by the group serve the useful lesson to inspire society on the need for sustainable utilization of the endowments by nature to make a difference in the lives of humanity. The project provides the unique opportunity for volunteers who have the passion for conservation activities and especially on eco-tourism and agro forestry.

Will be done on 12th April 2014 at KVDA Residence in Nairobi and the team will leave for the project on the morning of 13th April 2014.

This will be done subject to provision of full flight details. The port of entry to Kenya is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Volunteers will stay at KVDA Residence in Nairobi at a fee.

Volunteers will stay in a homestead with beds. Volunteers should bring sleeping bags and mats and have an obligation to climb down the level of the people with the aim of exposure to development challenges. KVDA will provide foodstuffs and volunteers will cook their own meals in turns. Water is available from springs and it is recommended that drinking water should be boiled or medicated. Mineral water available at supermarkets is also recommended. There is no electricity connection at the School but volunteers can charge their electric appliances at the nearest market center.

English is the language of the work camp. There will be a possibility of learning Kiswahili and other international and local languages as cultural diversity is a major component in international service.

The project participation fees that is all-inclusive for the three weeks work camp is Euro 350.

WHAT DOES THE PARTICIPATION FEES COVER?
Project preparation cycle, return transfers from the airport and the project, KVDA administration, orientation, certificate of participation, project coordination, facilitation, evaluation and monitoring.

WHAT IS NOT COVERED?
Excursion activities, local travel while in the community, personal effects, needs and wants.

KVDA offers educational tours to spectacular sites including the renowned Maasai Mara Game Reserve at separate fees. Please contact us for specific tour information.

Coastal Kenya

Preservation, Protection and Promotion of World Heritage

Shimba Hills Forest Guides Association is a group comprising of 30 local youths who came together to support eco-tourism at the Shimba Hills National Reserve. The group formed in 2004 is involved in guiding tourists through the reserve in addition to other environmental conservation activities.

Tour guiding in the Shimba Hills National Reserve and also the SHIFOGA Forest Nature Trail; Tree planting and the ongoing maintenance of tree nurseries; Management and maintenance of the local sanitation program (public toilet); Bee keeping and butterfly farming; Creation and continuity of school education programs.

Volunteers will work for six hours daily from Monday to Friday with focus on the following manual work and intercultural activities...

- Conservation, tree planting
- Farming
- Capacity Building for group members on World Heritage
- Home visits
- Cultural days for various nationalities
- Topical discussion with the local people on the project theme

Will be done on 10th May 2014 at KVDA Residence in Nairobi and the team will leave for the project on the morning of 11th May 2014.

This will be done subject to provision of full flight details. The port of entry to Kenya is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Volunteers will stay at KVDA Residence in Nairobi at a fee.

Volunteers will stay in classrooms at the School with very basic living conditions. Volunteers have an obligation to climb down the level of the people with the aim of exposure to development challenges. KVDA will provide foodstuffs and volunteers will cook their own meals in turns. Water is available from springs and it is recommended that drinking water should be boiled or medicated. Mineral water available at supermarkets is also recommended. There is no electricity connection at the project but volunteers can charge their electric appliances at the nearest market center.

English is the language of the work camp. There will be a possibility of learning Kiswahili and other international and local languages as cultural diversity is a major component in international service.

The project participation fees that is all-inclusive for the three weeks work camp is Euro 300.

WHAT DOES THE PARTICIPATION FEES COVER?
Project preparation cycle, return transfers from the airport and the project, KVDA administration, orientation, certificate of participation, project coordination, facilitation, evaluation and monitoring.

WHAT IS NOT COVERED?
Excursion activities, local travel while in the community, personal effects, needs and wants.

KVDA offers educational tours to spectacular sites including the renowned Maasai Mara Game Reserve at separate fees. Please contact us for specific tour information.

Kisumu city, along Lake Victoria

Tich Kouma Community Based organization was registered on 5th July 2011 as a self-help group under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development. The project is situated in the heart of Kisumu city that is the third largest city in Kenya after Nairobi and Mombasa respectively. The site is situated behind Tom Mboya Labour College off Ring Road. The group members are residents of Nanga, Dunga, Kapuothe, Katuoro, Got Owak, Sigalagala, Kogello, Milimani that are villages within Winam Division of Kisumu East district, Nyanza province.

-To build a social and economic force taking advantage of the environment and best use of natural resources for sustainability.
-Provide funds for conservation to preserve the biomas flora and fauna, culture and history, to set sustainable use of limits of the wetland and to protect natural attractions alongside the preservation of existing endemic species.
-To empower members through income generating activities as adaptive to natural resources available at the project site.
-To engage appropriate technology innovatively by wise use practices like conservation farming.
-To build human capital through empowerment of the community by utilization of intellectual property rights-like making of conservation furniture through weaving of papyrus reed in the making process.
-To engage in activities aimed at alleviating poverty, creating employment and engagement with equity.
-Advocate for environmental restoration, conservation by showcasing the way forward through activities like tree planting, nursery, husbandry, farm management and related activities that can create micro climate for Kisumu city.

Volunteers will work for six hours daily from Monday to Friday. They will work together with the local community focusing on agro forestry, eco-tourism and conservation activities as outlined in the objectives of the group.

Home visits, cultural nights, topical discussions, theme translation.

What to carry?
This is outlined in the detailed info sheet and includes, sleeping bag and mat, toiletries, torch/flashlight, sandals, mosquito net, national flag from your country, among others.

These are usually symbolic gestures to enhance the solidarity of volunteers and the hosting community. Kindly contact KVDA for details in case you are willing to support a worthy cause in the community either by offering a donation or long-term intervention on the project.

This project is a masterpiece in Kisumu city and it is situated in a serene environment on wetland that the group has effectively exploited to promote the objectives of the project. The project site is beholding with magnificent traditional structures, fish ponds, tree nursery and the agro forestry program and all these are powerful indicators of the grand march by the team members to spur socio-economic development. The conservation activities undertaken by the group serve the useful lesson to inspire society on the need for sustainable utilization of the endowments by nature to make a difference in the lives of humanity. The project provides the unique opportunity for volunteers who have the passion for conservation activities and especially on eco-tourism and agro forestry.

Will be done on 10th June 2014 at KVDA Residence in Nairobi and the team will leave for the project on the morning of 11th June 2014.

This will be done subject to provision of full flight details. The port of entry to Kenya is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Volunteers may stay at KVDA Residence in Nairobi at a fee.

The project participation fees that is all-inclusive for the three weeks work camp is Euro 400. The participation fee covers project preparation cycle, return transfer from the airport and the project, KVDA administration, orientation, certificate of participation, project coordination, facilitation, evaluation and monitoring. It does not cover excursion activities, local travel while in the community, personal effects, needs and wants.

KVDA does not provide insurance and volunteers should obtain travel insurance cover. It is a good idea to get medicine you are used to from your home country and seek advice from your personal doctor.

KVDA offers educational tours to spectacular sites of interest at separate fees. Please contact us for specific tour information.

In the furnished KVDA Residence in Kisumu city and volunteers will stay in shared rooms and tents. There is electricity; tap water and shower. You do not need to bring bedding, i.e. sleeping bag. Volunteers will cook their own meals at the residence in turns.

English is the language of the work camp. There will be a possibility of learning Kiswahili or other international and local languages as cultural diversity is a major component in international service.

Will be sent to the volunteer sending organization as soon as the application is accepted by KVDA.

Should be done via e-mail at least one month before the start of the project.

Kwale, Coast Kenya

Preservation, Protection and Promotion of the World Heritage

:This project is a joint effort involving Kenya Voluntary Development Association (KVDA), Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service (CCIVS), UNESCO World Heritage Program, Shimba Hills Forest Guides Association (SHIFOGA) and Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forest.
KVDA has since 2009 been among organizations under the auspices of CCIVS that have since inception of the program implemented it in partnership with volunteers drawn from different countries and the local people. In July 2013 KVDA in collaboration with international voluntary service organizations mobilized 25 volunteers from Kenya, South Korea, Germany, USA, Hong Kong, Italy, France and Belgium who successfully implemented the program.

Mijikenda Economic Activities

Agriculture is the main economic activity of the Mijikenda people. Their most important cash crop is the coconut palms, whose products include oil extracts and palm wine. Its fronds are also used for roofing and as material for making baskets, mats, brooms and other weaved products. Other important cash crops include cashew nuts, oranges and mangos. Where favorable weather conditions allow, some Mijikenda people also grow annual crops such as maize, sorghum, millet, and beans.
Fishing is another important economic activity for the Mijikenda people. Mijikenda's actively fish in the neighboring Indian Ocean, where their "daily catch" forms part of the seafood supplied to Kenya's coastal hotels and residents.

Mijikenda Food

The Mijikenda, and more particularly the Digo, are considered some of the best cooks among the Kenyan tribes. Wali, a popular Kenyan food, is also a staple of the Mijikenda tribe. Wali is rice prepared with coconut milk, giving it a sweet taste. Fish and other seafood are also common in Mijikenda cuisine.

The Mijikenda community is composed of 9 different tribes who live along the coast of Kenya. They are closely related but distinct people—the Kauma, Chonyi, Jibana, Giriama, Kamabe, Ribe, Rabai, Duruma and Digo. They share a common linguistic and cultural heritage. Traditionally, each group lives in its own hilltop village (Kaya) on the ridge along the Kenya coast, between the towns of Kilili and Vanga.
In the past, the Mijikenda tribe was also referred to as the Nyika tribe, a near-derogatory term implying bush people. "Mijikenda" literally means nine homes or nine homesteads (in Swahili), referring to the common ancestry of the Mijikenda people. The nine Mijikenda sub-tribes are believed to be nine different homes of the same tribe. Each sub-tribe speaks its own dialect of the Mijikenda language.

Mijikenda Origin and History

Mijikenda oral history traces the origin of the tribe to the southern regions of Somalia. It is believed that the Mijikenda people escaped constant attacks from the Oromo and other Cushitic tribes, and settled in the coastal ridges that were easier to defend.
Historically, the Mijikenda have had close interactions with the Persian, Arab, and Portuguese traders who frequented their home territory along the Kenyan coast. This interaction and subsequent intermarriage with the Arabs gave birth to the Swahili culture and language. As a result, the Swahili language - Kiswahili - bears a close lexical similarity with all dialects of the Mijikenda people.

The Mijikenda culture revolves around clans and age-sets. A Mijikenda clan consists of several family groups with a common patriarchal ancestor. Traditionally, each clan lived in one fortified village built in a cleared area of the forested ridges. A person's age-set determined their role and social standing within the clan and elaborate rituals were often held for members graduating from one age-set to another.
Each Mijikenda clan had their own sacred place known as Kaya, a shrine for prayer, sacrifices and other religious rituals. These Kayas were located deep in the forests and it was considered taboo to cut the trees and vegetation around them. The Kaya elders, often members of the oldest age-set, were deemed to posses supernatural powers including the ability to make rain. Like other Kenyan tribes today, Mijikenda people have assimilated to modern cultural practices, resulting in the disappearance of many of their traditional customs. Most Mijikenda people are now either Christians or Muslims; however, some still practice their traditional culture or a mixture of Christianity or Islam with their traditional religion. Islam is more widespread among the Digo than in the other Mijikenda sub-tribes.

Volunteers will work for six hours daily from Monday to Friday with focus on the following...

- Brick making and construction work at the School
- Potting for planting trees, prepare tree nurseries and naming trees
- Teaching and landscaping at the neighbouring School
- Environmental conservation awareness with strategic focus on World Heritage site
- Promotion of World Heritage Volunteering
- Inter-cultural learning coupled with home visits for exposure to development challenges.

WHV-Preservation, Protection and Promotion of the World Heritage. In the framework of UNESCO World Heritage Education Programme, this campaign co-organized by CCIVS and the World Heritage Centre (WHC) follows 3 main objectives stated in the global vision defined during the first WHV Evaluation and Planning meeting in March 2010 in Germany.
First of all, it aims at sparking interest about the importance and necessity to protect and promote cultural and natural heritage in general and World Heritage related sites in particular. The target group must be as wide as possible and include motivated volunteers, hosting local communities and concerned authorities.
Then, the WHV projects are expected to develop appreciation of the WH values through non formal education methods disseminating the inter-governmental and national expertise to a large public and more specifically young people. Indeed, awareness-raising about WH should rely on a dynamic dialogue and synergies between all the WH stakeholders.
Lastly, work camps run by international voluntary service organizations and whose activities are based on the concrete needs of the site are the type of project chosen to bring local and international communities together around the issue of WH in connection with the issue of sustainable development. An increasing number of projects have been selected since the first edition. However and even though the selection is open to all, the future WHV projects must fulfill a set of criteria. Such process not only aims at the participation of the most relevant projects but also a better coordination of the selected projects. The organizations are also required to send a detailed programme of activities after the official selection of projects.

Will be done on 5th July 2014 at KVDA Residence in Nairobi and the team will leave Nairobi for the project on the morning of 6th July 2014 for a trip of more than 7 hours by public transport.

KVDA educational tour destined for Maasai Mara Game Reserve and Lake Nakuru National Park is scheduled from 1st to 4th July 2014 and those interested in this program should arrive in Kenya on 30th June 2014. Volunteers who are not participating should arrive in Kenya at least on 4th July 2014. Tours can also be arranged after the work camp on a needs basis. Volunteers should confirm in advance for reservations.

This will be done subject to provision of full flight details. The port of entry to Kenya is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Volunteers will stay at KVDA Residence in Nairobi at a fee.

KVDA offers educational tours to spectacular sites including the renowned Maasai Mara Game Reserve at separate fees. Please contact us for specific tour information.

The host community will provide a house to accommodate the volunteers with very basic living conditions. Volunteers have an obligation to climb down the level of the people with the aim of exposure to development challenges. KVDA will provide foodstuffs and volunteers will cook their own meals in turns. Water is available from springs and it is recommended that drinking water should be boiled or medicated. Mineral water available at supermarkets is also recommended. There is no electricity connection at the project but volunteers can charge their electric appliances at the nearest market center.

English is the language of the work camp. There will be a possibility of learning Kiswahili and other international and local languages as cultural diversity is a major component in international service.

The project participation fees that is all-inclusive for the three weeks work camp is Euro 300.

WHAT DOES THE PARTICIPATION FEES COVER?
Project preparation cycle, return transfers from the airport and the project, KVDA administration, orientation, certificate of participation, project coordination, facilitation, evaluation and monitoring

WHAT IS NOT COVERED?
Excursion activities, local travel while in the community, personal effects, needs and wants.

Juja, Kiambu, Central Kenya

Organic Agriculture

Volunteers should be 50 years and above. Volunteers below this age limit cannot be accepted on this project.

The Kenya Institute of Organic Farming (KIOF) is an officially registered technical training institution NO. .MOHEST/PC/1361 and Non-government organization (NGO).
It is situated in Juja off – Thika highway, near Ndarugo Motel.
KIOF launched its first activities in 1987 – The Farmers Training and Extension Programme, which aimed at bringing the awareness of the challenges associated with conventional chemical farming (fertilizers and pesticides).
The advantages of environmentally sound-farming methods, appropriate to small scale farmers led to widespread public interest in the programme. Numerous requests were received from development organizations in Eastern Africa for training in organic farming.
After the initial strong growth, KIOF found that there was necessity to verifying some of the organic methods adopted by farmers.
KIOF therefore started looking into opportunities for on-farm trials and research so as to supply relevant back up data.
A Programme to incorporate youth training in organic agriculture was launched in 1995. This led to an Organic Agriculture Certificate course with the aim of assisting the youth to develop careers in Organic farming. A diploma programme was launched in 2004 and the Certificate Stream gradually phased out.
The Diploma Programme takes 2 years of theoretical and practical learning. Due to the growing interest in this field and high demand for profession knowledge in organic agriculture, KIOF launched a 2 year Distance Learning Diploma program in 2006.

Organic farms and gardens have been operating years in many countries and climates. By reviving and developing sound husbandry practices they have shown that it is possible to combine good yields with high quality produce, lasting soil fertility and improved overall environment.
The Kenya Institute of Organic Farming (KIOF) aims at making this experience available to all farmers and other stakeholders.
KIOF connects itself especially with the small – scale farmers who make up the majority of the farming community in Kenya. It is the small – scale farmers who are, in effect, the care takers of the natural environment. KIOF wants to stimulate better management of the environment by starting with sound agricultural principles on the farm.

women groups, youth and other CBOs in the rural areas. KIOF comes into contact with these groups through various organizations, churches, government institutions and individuals.

WHY ORGANIC AGRICULTURE?:A problem in today’s agriculture is the need for cash. This need moves the nation as a whole and especially the farmer into cash crop farming. Most of which are non – food crops. The family food production is often neglected. This leads to poorer diets and poorer health of the farming community. The remedy for this situation is organic farming.

Organic farming is based on mixed farming principles. Experiences show that mixed farming practices lead to better food and income stability. It does not exclude the cash crop but it puts it in the right place. The cash crop can become part of the farm’s crop rotation which puts emphasis on diversity of crops thereby raising the ecological balance of the farm. It provides a more complete diet for the family. Diversity in production means less risk, and better food and health within the farm.
Production is based on maximum recycling of organic wastes and careful handling of manures and composts, careful soil cultivation and use of natural rock minerals, if necessary.

Weed control is based on crop rotation and physical methods. Pests and disease control is sustained by understanding and maintaining physical, biological and ecological balances. These include traditional methods which are now being scientifically proven.
The use of trees for shade, mulching, soil improvement, fruit, fodder and fuel production is of great importance, and correct understanding of their place on the farm is part of organic practice. Besides, trees protect the land from strong winds and improve the climate of the area.
A fresh look is taken at the question of marketing. This is done with a view to improved understanding of the needs of the grower and the requirements of the consumer.
Thinking in terms of organic agriculture means reviving and developing sound husbandry practices which include the human and the social surroundings of the farm. The farm is able to function as an organism in which all parts support each other.

Volunteers will work for six hours daily from Monday to Friday with focus on the following manual work and Intercultural activities.

- The use of trees for shade, mulching, soil improvement, fruit, fodder and fuel production is of great importance, and correct understanding of their place on the farm is part of organic practice. Besides, trees protect the land from strong winds and improve the climate of the area. 
- Home visits, cultural days and exposure to cultural activities in the region.
- Practical Learning.

Volunteers who participate in this programme, experience “hands on” learning situations in...

I. Organic production methods in crops and animal husbandry.
II. Organic products processing, value addition, and certification.
III. Organic packaging and marketing both locally and internationally.

Will be done on 12th July 2014 at KVDA Residence in Nairobi and the team will leave for the project on the morning of 13th July 2014.

This will be done subject to provision of full flight details. The port of entry to Kenya is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Volunteers may stay at KVDA Residence in Nairobi at a fee.

Volunteers will be accommodated in dormitories at the institution shared with the students’ community. KVDA will provide foodstuffs and volunteers will cook their own meals in turns. Water is available from springs and it is recommended that drinking water should be boiled or medicated. Mineral water available at supermarkets is also recommended. There is electricity connection at the institution.

English is the language of the work camp. There will be a possibility of learning Kiswahili or other international and local languages as cultural diversity is a major component in international service.

The project participation fees that is all-inclusive for the three weeks work camp is Euro 300.

WHAT DOES THE PARTICIPATION FEES COVER?
Project preparation cycle, return transfers from the airport and the project, KVDA administration, orientation, certificate of participation, project coordination, facilitation, evaluation and monitoring.

WHAT IS NOT COVERED?
Excursion activities, local travel while in the community, personal effects, needs and wants.

KVDA offers educational tours to spectacular sites of interest at separate fees. Please contact us for specific tour information.

Kwale, Coast Kenya

Preservation, protection and promotion of World Heritage

Kaya Teleza Conservation Group was formed by local community members towards the end of 2011. The formation was based on the abuse of the only natural resource in the area, the Kaya forest. Poaching of bush animals and illegally, uncontrolled cutting of trees was on the rise. The aim of forming this group was to collaborate with the Kaya elders together with other conservation institutions to help in protecting the sacred forest and its inhabitants. The Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forest is one of the UNESCO supported world heritage sites and its significance to the local people is profound. The group has also initiated agro-business, planting vegetables to support members financially who consist mostly of the youth, due to the high levels of poverty and employment that has badly affected the local community.

Mission - To encourage the local people to come together to engage in conservation projects to reduce poverty among community members hence promotion of community development.

Objectives - To conserve the Kaya Teleza as a national monument and traditional forest; Create job opportunities for the youth; alleviate poverty and idleness among the school leaving youths; Improve living standards by acquisition of livelihood skills courtesy of the of the community development projects and create awareness on the importance of conserving Kaya Teleza to the community.

The project offers the following services - Forest trails, Agro-business, cultural activities future activities: Camping site; bee keeping; traditional cuisines; fish farming; aloe farming; tree nursery.

Volunteers will work for six hours daily from Mondays to Fridays with focus on the following manual work and intercultural activities...

- Conservation (Forest trails, Agro-business, camping site; bee keeping; traditional cuisines; fish farming; aloe farming; tree nursery).
- Awareness campaigns on World Heritage conservation.
- Resource mobilization through grant making to support conservation programme.
- Home visits and topical discussion with the local people.
- Home visits and cultural days for various nationalities.

PRESERVATION, PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF WORLD HERITAGE

In the framework of UNESCO World Heritage Education Program, this campaign co-organized by CCIVS and the World Heritage Centre (WHC) follows 3 main objectives stated in the global vision defined during the first WHV Evaluation and Planning meeting in March 2010. First of all, it aims at sparking interest about the importance and necessity to protect and promote cultural and natural heritage in general and World Heritage related sites in particular. The target group must be as wide as possible and include motivated volunteers, hosting local communities and concerned authorities. Then, the WHV projects are expected to develop appreciation of the World Heritage values through non formal education methods disseminating the inter-governmental and national expertise to a large public and more specifically young people. Indeed, awareness-raising about World Heritage should rely on a dynamic dialogue and synergies between all the WH stakeholders. Lastly, work camps run by international voluntary service organizations and whose activities are based on the concrete needs of the site are the type of project chosen to bring local and international communities together around the issue of World Heritage in connection with the issue of sustainable development.
Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forest is enlisted as a world Heritage site by UNESCO and if the site is not protected, conserved and promoted, it will be destroyed by human encroachment with the population upsurge and hence its cultural significance to the local community will be rendered extinct

Will be done on 2nd August 2014 at KVDA Residence in Nairobi and the team will leave for the project on the morning of 3rd August 2014.

This will be done subject to provision of full flight details. The port of entry to Kenya is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Volunteers will stay at KVDA Residence in Nairobi at a fee.

Volunteers will stay in a house provided by the community with very basic living conditions. Volunteers have an obligation to climb down the level of the people with the aim of exposure to development challenges. KVDA will provide foodstuffs and the volunteers will cook their own meals in turns. There will be no beds. Water is available from springs and it is recommended that drinking water should be boiled or medicated. Mineral water available at supermarkets is also recommended. There is no electricity connection at the project but volunteers can charge their electric appliances at the nearest market center.

English is the language of the work camp. There will be a possibility of learning Kiswahili and other international and local languages as cultural diversity is a major component in international service.

The project participation fees that is all-inclusive for the three weeks work camp is Euro 300.

WHAT DOES THE PARTICIPATION FEES COVER?
Project preparation cycle, return transfers from the airport and the project, KVDA administration, orientation, certificate of participation, project coordination, facilitation, evaluation and monitoring.

WHAT IS NOT COVERED?
Excursion activities, local travel while in the community, personal effects, needs and wants.

KVDA offers educational tours to spectacular sites including the renowned Maasai Mara Game Reserve at separate fees. Please contact us for specific tour information.

Kwale, Coastal Kenya

Eco-tourism and Voluntourism

Shimba Hills Forest Guides Association is a group comprising of 30 local youths who came together to support eco-tourism at the Shimba Hills National Reserve. The group formed in 2004 is involved in guiding tourists through the reserve in addition to other environmental conservation activities.

Tour guiding in the Shimba Hills National Reserve and also the SHIFOGA Forest Nature Trail; Tree planting and the ongoing maintenance of tree nurseries; Management and maintenance of the local sanitation program (public toilet); Bee keeping and butterfly farming; Creation and continuity of school education programmes.

Volunteers will work for six hours daily from Monday to Friday with focus on the following manual work and intercultural activities...

- Conservation, tree planting
- Farming
- Capacity Building for group members on World Heritage
- Home visits
- Cultural days for various nationalities
- Topical discussion with the local people on the project theme

Will be done on 9th August 2014 at KVDA Residence in Nairobi and the team will leave for the project on the morning of 10th August 2014.

This will be done subject to provision of full flight details. The port of entry to Kenya is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Volunteers will stay at KVDA Residence in Nairobi at a fee.

The host community will provide a house to accommodate the volunteers with very basic living conditions. Volunteers have an obligation to climb down the level of the people with the aim of exposure to development challenges. KVDA will provide foodstuffs and volunteers will cook their own meals in turns. Water is available from springs and it is recommended that drinking water should be boiled or medicated. Mineral water available at supermarkets is also recommended. There is no electricity connection at the project but volunteers can charge their electric appliances at the nearest market center.

English is the language of the work camp. There will be a possibility of learning Kiswahili and other international and local languages as cultural diversity is a major component in international service.

The project participation fees that is all-inclusive for the three weeks work camp is Euro 300.

WHAT DOES THE PARTICIPATION FEES COVER?
Project preparation cycle, return transfers from the airport and the project, KVDA administration, orientation, certificate of participation, project coordination, facilitation, evaluation and monitoring.

WHAT IS NOT COVERED?
Excursion activities, local travel while in the community, personal effects, needs and wants.

KVDA offers educational tours to spectacular sites including the renowned Maasai Mara Game Reserve at separate fees. Please contact us for specific tour information.