6th June 2015

Vihiga County, Western Kenya

RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: “The duty to Protect, Respect, Promote and Fulfill”.

The inhabitants are Maragoli speaking people residing in the western part of Kenya. Their main economic activity is food crop farming, where farmers grow maize, beans, sweet potatoes and other horticultural crops for economic use. The group was started in 2009 and later registered under the social services in 2011. It consists of 46 members of which 39 are disabled and 7 are caretakers. Their mission was to build the capacity of the disabled in the community to enable them access their rights.

People with disabilities have worse health and socio-economic challenges. Across the world, people with disabilities have poorer health, lower education achievements, less economic participation and higher rates of poverty than people without disability.

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

Home based care of the disabled
Care and support of orphans
Small scale poultry and dairy goat farming
Basket and bead weaving
Empowerment on income generating activities that can support the group
Home visits
Cultural days for various nationalities
Topical discussion on the rights of people with disabilities with the local people.

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.

RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: “The duty to Protect, Respect, Promote and Fulfill”

People with disabilities faces a myriad of challenges and most of them are kept in the dark and never discussed. The society out of misinformation choose to segregate them and in some cases denying those basic rights, such as the right to education, right to socialize with other people and the attendant stigma that takes a psychological toll on the victims.

People with disabilities are the most marginalized and vulnerable group in Kenya. They are often abused, exploited and excluded by society, denying them of their right to health, protection and education.
The work camp provides an opportunity for all actors to renew their commitments towards improving the plight of marginalized and vulnerable by organizing activities aimed at including people with disabilities hence actively integrating them into the community development spectrum. There is a lot of stigma within communities towards homes and institutions with people with disabilities. The public needs to know that they can be useful citizens in the future and also contribute towards the development of the country. Because of the continued stigma, parents often hide their children and deny them their rights, thinking they are totally helpless. Volunteers together with community members and people with disability will create forums where the local will be enlightened and enabled to understand that “Disability is not inability”.

The volunteers will work together with members of the local community to address the issue of stigma and access to basic facilities and the place of children with disabilities in the contemporary world.

Will be done on 6th June 2015 at KVDA Residence in Nairobi and the team will leave for the project on the morning of 7th June 2015

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 community will provide a house for volunteers that will in very basic living conditions where there 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 the 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 and 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 project participation fees that is all-inclusive for the three weeks work camp is Euro 300.

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.

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.