Project Name: Esikoma Community Health Volunteers

Code: KVDA/MLTV/2023/26

Location: Butula Location, Busia County.

Service Sector: Conservation/Health.

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

• German foundation for world population through a community based organization, trained some community health members on HIV/AIDS prevention, VCT Counselors, Community mobilizers, and home based care givers and educators among others. During the project period, while the trained members were visiting the community, they realized that there was a big health problem in the community. Apart from HIV/AIDS as the main problem, there were more health issues such as an increase number of orphans/ vulnerable children, and jiggers menace as a result of parents’ death from HIV/AIDS.
• Most orphans whose parents died from HIV/AIDS. Were infected by jiggers, this was as a result of parental and guardian poor care. In generals these children lacked basic needs such as health care, shelter, education, and clothing among others.
• Having realized all these problems within the community, few members from Butula who were trained, decided to establish a group which could address the above mentioned health issues. The group was then referred to as Esikoma Community Health Volunteers  (ECHV).
• Esikoma Community Health Volunteers (ECHV) is a community self-help group established in 2014 by local volunteers operating within Butula Sub County with its main office at Esikoma Market within Marachi central Ward, focusing on Health and community development and other health related issues.

ARTICLE ONE: ORGANIZATION 

The name of the group shall be Community Development Self-Help Group

Section 1.2. Address.

Postal Address. Po Box 252 Nambale

• County : Busia 
• Sub-County: Butula
• Division: Butula
• Location: Marachi Central
• Sub Location: Esikoma 

OFFICE LOCATION.

• The group shall have its main office located at Esikoma Market, Butula Sub County within Esikoma Sub-Location.

Project activities

ARTICLE TWO: ORGANIZATION STRATEGY

Section 1.1 Visions: A Healthy and Developed Community.

Section 1.2. Mission To spearhead implementation of Community-Health and Environmental programs in Marachi Central

Sec 2.3 Group’s objectives 

• Take an active role in implementation of community Development programs in Butula 

Sub-County.

• To create and promote awareness among the members of the community on sustainable natural resource management. 

• To facilitate information generation, sharing and networking amongst all members of the community, and other SHG.

• To establish income generating activities that will sustain and improve the livelihood of the community.

• To support people living with HIV-AIDS to increase access and improve quality of healthcare by providing nutritional supplements.

• To build the capacity of youth on adolescent sexual and reproductive health. 
• To educate the local community on girl child education.

Current programs

• Numerous efforts have targeted Busia region to reduce the threats to biodiversity, these includes rehabilitation attempts and aids to help build socio economic status of communities, most river banks have are still being cultivated by the bigger group .This has resulted in slow but continual degradation of riverbanks and wetlands.
• Most of grassland and wetland in Busia are rich with biodiversity but this over exploitation of grassland and wetlands has caused a lot of negative efforts, In Busia ecosystem ,the communities realized this major cause and this programs has improved many lives of the community members.

Environmental sustainability

• Wetlands and grassland conservation will help maintain the unique species of both fauna and flora for present and future generations
• Low impact IGA and eco-torism will help to maintain the ecological integrity of the programs sites in the region
• Reduced rural poverty will if matched with greater awareness and provision of resource alternatives, promote sustainable use of biological resources and

Volunteer tasks

• Rehabilitation and conservation of Busia Wetlands
• Environmental education to schools
• Participate in renewable energy program
• Participate in nature based livelihood support program
• Participate in the support program for vulnerable children
• 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
• 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 from 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 20 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