Project Name: Esiarambatsi Health Centre

Code: KVDA/MLTV/2023/01

Location: Emuhaya, Vihiga, Western Kenya

Service Sector: Health Promotion and Education

Date 2023.

OVERVIEW ON HOSTING ORGANIZATION 

• Kenya Voluntary Development Association (KVDA) is an indigenous, non-political and membership organization which is non-sectarian and non-profit making started in 1962 as a work camp organization registered under the Societies’ Act. In 1993, KVDA was registered as a Non-Governmental organization by the establishment of the NGOs Coordination Act.
• KVDA has since inception hosted over 50, 000 international volunteers to its community service development projects that have left indelible mark to efforts to enhance sustainable development.

Project background 

• Esiarambatsi Health Centre was established to cater for the medical needs of the local people in the community. It is a community based health center which cares for mothers, children’s and also people living with HIV/AIDS. The centre also offers pre-and ante-natal cares to women. 
• The Luhya speaking people are the inhabitants of the area and they occupy the vast Western Kenya. They are hospitable and welcoming. The health center is a community initiative that is currently run by the Ministry of health and has three nurses who work under a nursing officer in charge. 
• The center offers curative, preventative and promotion services. Water is available from streams, rain water occasionally harvested and volunteers have the opportunity to learn to live in adversity and especially when Kenya grapples with the poverty challenge that is the single most obstacles to sustainable development. 
• The main objective of the project is to provide health care to the community using locally available resources. Most community members are small scale farmers confronted with grave challenges including lack of access to medical facilities.

INFORMATION ON HIV/AIDS SCOURGE

• According to the National Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) 2001 report, 65% of the people of Kenya live below the poverty line. The approximate statistics for poverty levels are as follows: 53% rural poor, 52% are overall national food poor, who are unable to afford a daily 2250 calories, 51% are rural food poor while 38% are urban food poor. In Emuhaya District, over 65% live below poverty line and are food poor. 
• The problem of poverty is further compounded by rampant HIV/AIDS, poor health facilities and infrastructure, declining education and literacy levels, breakdown in social and cultural structures, insecurity, declining land productivity, poor administrative management among others.
• Malaria, acute respiratory tract infections, diarrhoea, skin diseases, intestinal worms, ear and eye infections and AIDS are the common diseases found among the people of Emuhaya District. In addition, cases of malnutrition have also been reported. Mechanisms of coping up with the management and control of the diseases and other health related problems are lacking. A well-organized health system, will, therefore, need to be in place for the needs of the people
• The HIV/AIDS scourge has affected the people of this new district just like it has for the rest of Kenya. Currently available figures indicate that 5.1% of the population of Emuhaya district is infected with HIV. This translates to 10, 074 as the number of people living with AIDS (PLWAS). 
• Based on these figures, a number of service delivery points have been established in various health facilities in the district. It is worth noting that by June 2008, the total number of people on antiretroviral therapy (ART) stood as 2, 446 (24.3 % of those eligible). There is therefore a need to scale up ART activities to cover large numbers as is elsewhere in Kenya.

Project activities

The facility offers health services to the local community members that include the following:

• Laboratory work
• Observation of patients
• Injection/filter 
• Pharmacy work
• Registration
• Reproductive health
• Child Delivery
• Awareness creation on health issues.

Volunteer tasks

• The volunteers will be assigned duties in the health facility by professional staff accredited by the Ministry of Health. 
• KVDA requests for medical professionals to join this project and will appreciate to receive your CV.
• Submit project report to KVDA

PROJECT START DATES

• Volunteers are accepted to join this project at any time of the year and should arrive in Kenya on 20th day of the month. 
• The duration of placement is flexible depending on the availability of the volunteer

• 2-day orientation seminar will be done on the 21st and 22nd of every month 

Financial contribution

• The project participation fee is Euro 200 per month paid upfront on arrival to the cover costs stipulated for the entire duration of the project.
• Monthly payment of participation fees is not allowed for conventional purposes.
• Volunteers accepted on MLTV project for one month will pay Euros 300 for the one month placement.

What is included in the participation fee?

• Return transfers from the airport
• Full board at the project (Accommodation and meals provided at the project)
• Orientation, evaluation and monitoring
• Volunteer mentorship

What is not included in the participation fee?

• Travel to and from the project. The volunteer will be required to pay for the bus tickets
• Refreshments outside the project
• Air ticket
• Excursion
• Visa and Insurance 
• Local travel and personal effects

ACCOMMODATION AND MEALS

• Home stay and the volunteer is entitled to private room but will share other amenities and meals with the host family. 
• It is convenient for the volunteer to carry sleeping bag, mat and personal effects. KVDA has a memorandum of understanding with the host project regarding the project costs with appropriate procedures, checks and balances.

Terminal 

• Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi is the port of arrival and KVDA will designate a driver for the airport pick up. 
• We strongly advice volunteers against getting taxis on their own without reference to KVDA due to the obvious risks and in case of any challenges on arrival kindly contact KVDA via mobile telephone 0721650357

KVDA RESIDENCE

• Volunteers will be driven to the YMCA South hostels located 15 Kilometers away from the airport where they will be accommodated ahead of their placement to the project. 
• The residence is situated in the serene environment with amble space for recreation and spectacular setting as the inauguration of volunteering to make a difference in the world.

Leisure time

• Kenya is replete with a lot of interesting and natural spectacular sites of interest that would capture the imagination of volunteers. 
• From the tour to the renowned Maasai Mara Game Reserve to visits to local community beholding sights, the volunteers have the previledge to make choices that would fundamentally make the difference. 
• The project also offers a perfect opportunity for people who enjoy being close to nature and are interested in the spectacular setting that traditional way of living in the heartland of the African culture would enrich your cultural heritage

Laundry and water:

• Water is available at the hosting house and it is from the springs and it is important to preserve water at all times due to its scarcity and cooperation with the hosts will be highly appreciated

• There are no washing machines in the institution and the volunteer will be guided on how to wash clothes

Medical:

• Volunteers are expected to have their own medical insurance and other personal expenses and it is important to carry your own medical and travel insurances.

MENTORING

• Mentor for the volunteer from the hosting organisation: KVDA will designate its staff to play the role of mentoring and this is the vital link between the volunteer and the organization. The Mentor has the responsibility to enable the volunteer to efficiently execute their tasks with diligence.

• Function of mentor: advise, educate, be a role model to the volunteers; providing problem solving, collaborative support, positive and non-evaluative feedback and emotional support for volunteers; to provide comfort, exposure, visibility and challenging assignments which directly support the volunteer’s personal and professional development; to provide counselling and friendship to support the volunteer’s self-image and competence and thus to listen, guide, advice, teach and offer professional support to the volunteers 
• The mentor will be available for the volunteer as a constant supporting person. However, he/she should not be directly involved in the daily work of the volunteer.
• Mentor’s Experience with international volunteers: More than 3 years’ experience with international volunteers

Project participants: Maximum 5 volunteers from different nationalities recruited through KVDA partner organizations

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

DONATION AND GIFTS: 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.

APPLICATIONS: Should be done at least one month in advance through KVDA partner organization in respective countries. KVDA does not accept direct applications by volunteers