Gender Sensitivity - Focus on Female Genital Mutilation
Camp Language:
English
THE COMMUNITY:
The community consists of Kuria speaking ethnic group. The Kuria people are mainly agriculturalists and pastoralist, with the Kenyan Kurians leaning towards agriculture and the Tanzanian Kurians more towards pastoralism. The Kuria are closely related to the Kisii people of Kenya both in language and physique. They are said to have been a one people until a vicious attack by the Maasai in the early 19th century scattered both populations in different directions. This apartness has led to the formation of distinct dialects which are clearly understood by both peoples. The Kuria people are divided into about 16 "sub tribes".
BACKGROUND OF NYAMANCHE PRIMARY SCHOOL:
The school was begun in 1982 and it is a public school. It is sponsored by Marana the mission of Kenya. The school has a population of 584 students with 282 girls and 302 boys. The school was started with the aim of having members of the community have access to education and more so the girl child. In this community, differences between man and woman dictate a difference in their social roles and this reinforces a notion that men are more superior to women. Capacity building will provide both men and women with political insight and moral support in confronting gender issues. A woman’s social status has led to marginalization. This was the very reason of starting the school so as to empower the girl child.
THEME:
FOCUS ON FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION Female genital mutilation is a strong tradition in this community. It is illegal. But still more than one third of the women are circumcised and each and every young woman is subjected to the cut. The church has preached against FGM for decades but in spite of the deep devoutness the priests do not have enough power over the souls. FGM has nothing to do with religion; it is a so-called culture and tradition in certain groups. The practice is deeply rooted in views on chastity, transition to womanhood, “purity” for marriage and basically a wish to control women sexually. In certain areas the survival and fertility of the local community is assumed to be threatened if the girls are not circumcised. Many brave young girls who refuse FGM are regarded as ”unmarriageable” and become outcasts. It is a brutal act, painful and has led to the spread of HIV/AIDS. Volunteers will be required to liaise with other Non Governmental organizations like Red Cross in creation of awareness to the community.
WORK:
Volunteers will work for six hours daily from Mondays to Fridays. They will be involved sensitize the community on the side effects of FGM, sand harvesting, carrying stones, fencing, construction of classrooms, general clean ups and home visits.
ACCOMMODATION:
Volunteers will be accommodated in classrooms at the school with two separate rooms for male and female. This will be in a workcamp set up where there are no beds and they will sleep on the floor on their mats and sleeping bags to experience complexities of development challenges in rural Kenya. Volunteers with special needs like those who are physically challenged should alert KVDA on application so that efforts are made to accommodate them appropriately.
CAMP FEES:
Volunteers participating in this project will be required to pay Euros 300 for a package of three weeks and this will include Airport Pick Up and drop off after the work camp, one day full board accommodation during the orientation day, fares to the project and back, food, facilitation, certificate of participation and will cater for Administrative costs as well.
KISWAHILI TRAINING PROGRAM {optional} :Kiswahili training program is tailor-made to suit volunteers’ preference and open to individuals keen to have basic knowledge in Kiswahili that is widely spoken in East Africa and nowadays taught in prestigious Universities in the world. The 10-day program is organized in a serene atmosphere in order to quench for thirst among volunteers. Those willing to participate in the program should inform KVDA at least two weeks before arrival. Charges - Euro 200 all inclusive.
EDUCATiONAL TOURS:
KVDA Organizes educational tours to spectacular sites of Interest and the fees charged is all inclusive of meals, accommodation and tour guiding. This will be held before or after the work camp and those who wish to participate should make the application at least two weeks before arrival to enable KVDA put its act together. 10% of the income from the Educational Tours is used to support community projects. Due to an increase in the park fees by Kenya Wild Life Service, the following are the charges with effect from 1st January 2011.
3 days tour to Masaai Mara National Park – 350 Euros 4th day tour to Lake Nakuru an extra 150 Euros Nairobi National park (One Day) - 150 Euros Bomas of Kenya - 100 Euros
« I can say that the best things about the workcamp and this whole experience were the chance of making a real difference to the lives of very needy children. This is an extremely valuable project where volunteers can have a massive impact. Also the possibility of learning a huge amount about a country so different from our own. I learnt ten times as much by carrying out a workcamp than I would ever do backpacking. »
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