Neema Good Shepherds Orphanage started on 12th January 2011 to offer educational development to Class 4. It started with 150 Children that were orphans and vulnerable, 8 teachers and under the Community Based Organization (CBO) – NEEMA. The main aim being to provide the orphans and vulnerable children (OVC´s) a better environment where their academic development can be enhanced at the same time getting access to other services that a child with parents is able to get.

KVDA will prepare young people to be healthy, productive, and engaged citizens. We believe that educated, employed, and engaged young people possess the power to solve the toughest problems facing communities. Every young person therefore deserves the opportunity to realize his or her full potential. Our programs are catalysts for change that help youth learn, work and lead.

This School started on a half an acre piece of land that was donated. The school started with four classes. It now has six classes which are put up year by year. This project was initiated by willing members in 2011 who inspired common Interested Groups (CIG) as follows: Widows; Widowers; Orphans; Vulnerable children; Street children; Any other genuine needy cases.

Envisages the school providing an environment where the OVCs' can develop "From Zero to a Hero" thus working towards the improvement of quality of life of the community.

Aims at working hand in hand with the Community for the success of the School.

Volunteers will work for six hours daily from Monday to Friday. The work will focus on brick making and construction of classrooms.

Traditional dances, teaching, home visits, cultural nights and discussions on topical issues. There will be also an expert who will offer training on Youth Entrepreneurship and Leadership Development.

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.

Recognizing that no one sector of society alone has the resources or expertise to effectively address the myriad challenges facing today's youth, we are constantly mobilizing a community of businesses, government departments, and civil society organizations - each committed to developing the power and promise of young people.

Will be done on 8th March 2014 at KVDA Residence in Nairobi and the team will leave for the project on the morning of 9th 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. There is no electricity connection but volunteers will be able to charge their electric appliances at the nearest market centers. 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.

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.

Shinyalu, Kakamega County, Western Kenya

Reproductive Health Awareness for Local Community

Shibuye Community Health Workers (SCHW) is the only known women led community based organization responding to women’s needs in the Kakamega East and South districts. The organization was formed in 1999.
SCHW has been implementing programs on safeguarding the rights of widows and orphans on property inheritance through community led interventions. To promote socio-economic empowerment of people living with HIV/AIDS, orphans and vulnerable children. SCHW provides educational support, agricultural training to foster food security and links to small grants for income generating activities. The organization also focuses on preventing and responding to gender based violence.

Shibuye Community Health Workers works with vulnerable households most of whom lack sufficient food to meet the proper nutrition. The program targets to improve food production among poor households. It also targets to empower the community on issues affecting food production like climate change and how indigenous practices and organic farming which are cost effective and sustainable. The program has become an alternative entry point of bringing more women into development and discuss about their rights to land for food production and livelihood. It also facilitates empowerment of older orphans who have land to understand how to utilize it for food production.

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

- Tree planting, renovation of Schools in the neighbourhood and clean-up exercises.
- Teaching and capacity building for groups affiliated to SCHW.
- Psycho-social counseling.
- Fashion show to promote esteem.
- Involvement in food security programme.
- Women empowerment on leadership and Governance.
- Cultural days for various nationalities.
- Reproductive Health awareness for local community members.
- Home visits and topical discussion on the project theme with the local people.

Will be done on 15th March 2014 at KVDA Residence in Nairobi and the team will leave for the project on the morning of 16th March 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 host 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 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 in the majority of homesteads in rural Kenya but electric appliances can be charged 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.

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".

The school was begun in 1982 and it is a public school. It is sponsored by Maranata 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.

Volunteers will work for six hours daily from Monday to Friday. The manual work will consist on sensitization of the community on the side effects of Female Genital Mutilation, sand harvesting, carrying stones, fencing, construction of classrooms, general clean ups and home visits.

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.

Female genital mutilation is a strong tradition in this community. It is illegal. But still more than one third of the women are circumcised.

The church has preached against FGM for decades.

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.

Will be done on 3rd May 2014 at KVDA Residence in Nairobi and the team will leave for the project on the morning of 4th 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 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 at the School classrooms with very basic living conditions. 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 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.

The Taita hills rise from the Southeastern Nyika Plateau. They are ancient fault-block formation stretching south to Malawi through Eastern and Southern Tanzania. They sit almost cheek-by-jowl with one of the region’s recent volcanic ranges, the Chyulu Hills. The project is situated on the foot of the Sagalla Hills in Taita Taveta district in coastal part of Kenya. It is approximately 7-8 hours’ drive from Nairobi. Sagalla is remembered to be a home of the first missionaries in the early 1900 and these is evident with one of the first churches in Kenya still standing strong.

Gideon Mosi Primary School is a relatively new institution was founded in 1990 and it has rapidly expanded to accommodate 293 boys and girls from class 1-8. The 8 Teachers at the Gideon Mosi Primary School are employed by the Teachers Service commission and they are qualified to teach all rounds from class 1-8. In cases where the teaching staff is not adequate, the Parents and Teachers Association employs teachers for a short duration of time to help bridge the obtaining gap.

Volunteers will work for six hours daily from Monday to Friday. The manual work will consist on school renovation, teaching and awareness campaign on Human Wildlife Conflict and home visits.

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 phenomenon of human beings and wildlife conflict is very controversial and has attracted the attention of all and sundry. The scenario is prompted by the proximity of the local community to the Tsavo National Park that is the home to wildlife and this directly plays into the hands of the local community members who are forced by the circumstances to learn to live with the situation and the attendant challenges.

Working with community groups on poverty reduction and sustainable development will involve the active involvement in projects that are geared towards youth and women empowerment activities, HIV/AIDS awareness, provision of infrastructure in learning institutions. Poverty is a major issue in the local community and is directly linked to the spread of HIV/AIDS because poverty drives HIV/AIDS and HIV/AIDS drives poverty. This highlights the need for a multifaceted response to both problems, but particularly to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Both these problems disproportionately affect women and youth. The goal is to try and enable the local members address community issues, thus enhancing the economic and social empowerment of women and youth for poverty reduction in Gideon Mosi, and linking this with activities to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. These activities will also help strengthen rural community and their local economies. In the process being able to improve access to quality education for school children.

The volunteers will be required to join hands together with community members in addressing the theme of the camp in order to empower the community to coming up with a more pro-active way of enhancing the academic development of community children.

Will be done on 7th June 2014 at KVDA Residence in Nairobi and the team will leave for the project on the morning of 8th 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 300. 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

The volunteers stay in School classrooms in very basic conditions where there are no beds and electricity. KVDA will provide foodstuffs and volunteers will cook their own meals in turns. Volunteers have an obligation to climb down the level of the people with the aim of exposure to development challenges. 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 the 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.

Gibarori Primary School is situated in Maeta Sub-location, Maeta location, Kigonga division of Kuria. It is situated approximately 3 Km from Kehancha town, headquarters of the larger Kuria East and West Districts.

The school was founded in 1981 by community members and has a population of over 580 pupils with over 10 teaching staff employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

The local community is predominantly Kuria that spread across Kenya and Tanzania. They neighbour the Maasai community and they are traditionally small scale farmers and engage in small scale businesses revolving around agriculture.

Volunteers will work for six hours daily from Monday to Friday. They will work together with the local community members focusing on brick making and construction.

Home visits, cultural nights and talks on peace building and conflict transformation.

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.

Peace building and conflict transformation
The signing of the peace agreements in Africa is indeed commendable and raises new hopes for peace and development. However, peace agreements do not automatically translate into a resolution of the grievances or issues which caused the conflict in the first place. From a peace builder’s perspective, these accords offer new opportunities to reorder society, its structures and institutions, processes and relationships, in a manner that diminishes the possibility of a recurrence of violence and improves the potential for social justice. Reconciliation among former protagonists at all levels is crucial for long-term peace and development.

The conflict is between the Kuria and Maasai communities of Kenya who are neighbours and share a common border near Kenya/Tanzania border and it is ignited by land issues scramble for scarce resources and politics. The Maasai and pastoralists while the Kuria community is engaged in small scale farming. The nature of conflict has led to incessant fights, burning of houses, cattle theft, killings and displacement of families in the orgy of violence.

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 300. 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. I 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.

The volunteers will be accommodated in School classrooms in very basic conditions where there will no beds.. KVDA will provide foodstuffs and volunteers will prepare their own meals in turns. Water is available from springs and it is highly recommended that drinking water is boiled or medicated. Mineral water available at supermarkets is also recommended. There is no electricity connection at the School but volunteers will be able to charge 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.

Kehancha, Kuria, South West Kenya

Peace Building and Conflict Transformation

Gibarori Primary School is situated in Maeta Sub-location, Maeta location, Kigonga division of Kuria. It is situated approximately 3 Km from Kehancha town, headquarters of the larger Kuria East and West Districts.
The school was founded in 1981 by community members and has a population of over 580 pupils with over 10 teaching staff employed by the Teachers service commission (TSC).

The local community is predominantly Kuria that spread across Kenya and Tanzania. They neighbour the Maasai community and they are traditionally small scale farmers and engage in small scale businesses revolving around agriculture.

Volunteers will work for six hours daily from Monday to Friday. They will work together with the local community members on the following manual work and intercultural activities...

- Brick making and construction.
- Home visits and topical discussion with the local people.
- Cultural days for various nationalities.
- Talks on peace building and conflict transformation.

PEACE BUILDING AND CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION

The signing of the peace agreements in Africa is indeed commendable and raises new hopes for peace and development. However, peace agreements do not automatically translate into a resolution of the grievances or issues which caused the conflict in the first place.  From a peace builder’s perspective, these accords offer new opportunities to reorder society, its structures and institutions, processes and relationships, in a manner that diminishes the possibility of a recurrence of violence and improves the potential for social justice. Reconciliation among former protagonists at all levels is crucial for long-term peace and development.

The conflict is between the Kuria and Maasai communities of Kenya who are neighbours and share a common border near Kenya/Tanzania border and it is ignited by land issues scramble for scarce resources and politics. The Maasai and pastoralists while the Kuria community is engaged in small scale farming. The nature of conflict has led to incessant fights, burning of houses, cattle theft, killings and displacement of families in the orgy of violence.

Will be done on 14th June 2014 at KVDA Residence in Nairobi and the team will leave for the project on the morning of 15th 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 will stay at KVDA Residence in Nairobi at a fee.

The volunteers will be accommodated in School classrooms in very basic conditions where there will beds no beds. KVDA will provide foodstuffs and volunteers will prepare their own meals in turns. Volunteers have an obligation to climb down the level of the people with the aim of exposure to development challenges. Water is available from springs and it is highly recommended that drinking water is boiled or medicated. Mineral water available at supermarkets is also recommended. There is no electricity connection at the School but volunteers will be able to charge 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 transfer 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.

Ugenya, Siaya, Western Kenya

COMMUNITY ACCESS TO HEALTH FACILITIES FOR IMPROVED LIVELIHOODS

Established in 1980, the school has student population of 214 boys and 206 girls making a total of 420 pupils. It offers primary School education to community children to enable them gain skills and knowledge that is fundamental towards the holistic development of the child as well as towards the overall development of the community structures. Some of the major challenges that the community faces include but not limited to: inadequate classrooms, water and sanitation, reading materials; High poverty levels among the parents and the immediate community members and HIV/AIDS pandemic that continue to ravage the community leaving in its wake many orphans and vulnerable children.

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

- Brick making and construction work at the School
- Tree planting
- Study visits to community based organizations such as youth, women groups and Children homes
- HIV /AIDS awareness; embracing the reading culture among the learners; guiding and counseling on career development
- Inter-cultural learning coupled with home visits for exposure to development challenges.

Possibility to visit the historic sites like Hippo point on Lake Victoria in Kisumu City, renowned Kakamega Rain Forest and the Equator point at Maseno University; among other spectacular sites of interest in the region. However, this will be done most probably during the weekends.

The School hosted the first work camp by KVDA in July 2013 that brought together 20 volunteers from Kenya, South Korea, Belgium, Netherlands, Mexico, France, USA and Hong Kong. The team made 12, 000 bricks that have since been baked awaiting the construction of classrooms and toilets.

COMMUNITY ACCESS TO HEALTH FACILITIES FOR IMPROVED LIVELIHOODS

Health and development are intimately interconnected. Both insufficient development leading to poverty and inappropriate development resulting in overconsumption, coupled with an expanding world population, can result in severe environmental health problems in both developing and developed nations. The linkage of health, environmental and socio-economic improvements requires inter-sector efforts. Such efforts, involving education, housing, public works and community groups, including businesses, schools and universities and religious, civic and cultural organizations are aimed at enabling people in their communities to ensure sustainable development.

Particularly relevant is the inclusion of prevention programs rather than relying solely on remediation and treatment. Health ultimately depends on the ability to manage successfully the interaction between the physical, spiritual, biological and economic/social environment. Sound development is not possible without a healthy population; yet most developmental activities affect the environment to some degree, which in turn causes or exacerbates many health problems. Conversely, it is the very lack of development that adversely affects the health condition of many people, which can be alleviated only through development.

Education and appropriate services regarding responsible planning with respect for cultural, religious and social aspects, in keeping with freedom, dignity and personally held values and taking into account ethical and cultural considerations, also contribute to these inter-sector activities. Promote health education in schools, information exchange, technical support and training.

By continued efforts, to provide health and hygiene education and to ensure universal access to safe drinking water and universal access to sanitary measures of excreta disposal, thereby markedly reducing waterborne diseases and reducing. Provide education and disseminate information on the risks of endemic communicable diseases and build awareness on environmental methods for control of communicable diseases to enable communities to play a role in the control of communicable diseases.

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 6 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.

Shinyalu, Kakamega, Western Kenya

The Youth Reproductive Health Challenges in Kenya

Shibuye Community Health Workers (SCHW) is the only known women led community based organization responding to women’s needs in the Kakamega East and South districts. The organization was formed in 1999.
SCHW has been implementing programs on safeguarding the rights of widows and orphans on property inheritance through community led interventions.

To promote socio-economic empowerment of people living with HIV/AIDS, orphans and vulnerable children. SCHW provides educational support, agricultural training to foster food security and links to small grants for income generating activities. The organization also focuses on preventing and responding to gender based violence.

Shibuye Community Health Workers works with vulnerable households most of whom lack sufficient food to meet the proper nutrition. The program targets to improve food production among poor households. It also targets to empower the community on issues affecting food production like climate change and how indigenous practices and organic farming which are cost effective and sustainable. The program has become an alternative entry point of bringing more women into development and discuss about their rights to land for food production and livelihood. It also facilitates empowerment of older orphans who have land to understand how to utilize it for food production.

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

- Tree planting, renovation of Schools in the neighbourhood and clean-up exercises.
- Teaching and capacity building for groups affiliated to SCHW.
- Psycho-social counseling.
- Fashion show to promote esteem.
- Involvement in food security programme.
- Women empowerment on leadership and Governance.
- Cultural days for various nationalities.
- Reproductive Health awareness for local community members.
- Home visits and topical discussion on the project theme with the local people.

The Youth Reproductive Health Challenges in Kenya

The current cohort of Kenyan youth is the largest ever. To contribute their full social and economic potential, young people need knowledge and skills to make the rights choices about when to have sex and how to protect themselves from infections and unintended pregnancies. The reproductive health challenges Kenyan youth face are similar to those of young people in many other African countries: high rates of teen pregnancy, high and rising rates of HIV infection, early marriage for young girls, malnutrition and harmful traditional practices such as female genital cutting. Increasingly, policy makers are acknowledging the link between better youth reproductive health and other aspects of healthy youth development including livelihoods, mental health and road safety

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 will stay at KVDA Residence in Nairobi at a fee.

Volunteers will stay in a house provided by the host 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 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 in the majority of homesteads in rural Kenya but electric appliances can be charged 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.