Project Name: Miwani Primary School

Code: KVDA/MLTV/2023/33

Location: Malindi County, Coastal Kenya. Service Sector:

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

Miwani Primary School is in the north coast, situated in Miwani village, Ganda location in Malindi Constituency.  It is a community school run by Maziwani Primary School with the full support of both the community and the local government.  Miwani has 158 pupils with a team of 9 teachers who work under very difficult and appalling situation in order to educate these kids.  The village has a population of about 1000 people respectively. 

The school was established in 2011 following the need to start another school given that the population had increased and the other public schools were a distance away.  As it were, a few structures were set up with the help of local government and the school began running.

The school is in the heart of the village and enjoys serenity and tranquility of nature.  However, most community members lack education thus is faced with a lot of economic hardships and poverty as a result.  

Therefore, the support extended to the school remains minimal considering the life challenges that they undergo.  In order to seal this gap, Mafanikio has partnered with the school, local government and the county government in order to provide intervention measures to improve the school infrastructure, provision of learning instructional materials, international volunteer services and school feeding program as a way of providing a conducive learning environment. 

Project description

The project has short and long term goals that shall ensure that it stands on its own after a span of two years.  Some of the goals include;

• Teaching Mathematics, English & Social studies
• Sports & games activities
• Community meetings participation
• Community development
• Identifying weak students and focusing on their potential strengths
• Assisting the head teacher in admin work

The short term goals include;

1. Providing furniture to the teachers (tables & chairs)
2. Construction of 3 Toilets

The long term goals;

1. Borehole
2. Classrooms and
3. Fence 

The government has pledged to construct two classrooms in aid of school development.  As a way of supporting the school, the local government together with other stakeholders shall organize for a fundraising for another classroom in December 2017.

Activities

• Offering teaching services to the children especially in Maths, English & Science

• Organizing educational trips and talent show activities

• Helping out in the poultry project (management & operation) and to some extent manual work

• Supporting school administration

Volunteer tasks

• Teaching Mathematics, English & Social studies
• Sports & games activities
• Community meetings participation
• Community development
• Identifying weak students and focusing on their potential strengths
• Assisting the head teacher in admin work
• Submit Project Report to KVDA

PROJECT START DATES

• It is recommended that volunteers applying to join this project should be aware that school terms in Kenya start at the beginning of the following months January and May 2021
• Schools in Kenya have three holiday seasons; April, August, November and December annually
• This means the volunteers wishing to participate in this project should arrive in Kenya at the start of January, towards the end of April 2021
• It is important to note that due to the stringent regulations by the Ministry of Education, we do not accept volunteers to join the project during the 3rd term that begins in September 2021 as the term is fully dedicated to national examinations and the Government has imposed restrictions that would not allow the participation of volunteers on the school program.

Financial contribution

• The project participation fees 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

• The volunteers shall be accommodated at the volunteer house where they shall be provided with locally available meals such as beverages, rice, pasta, wheat flour, vegetables, cooking oil, jam, butter, eggs, beans, bread, and lentils among others.  The volunteers shall prepare meals and eat together.  
• They shall also be responsible of cleaning the house and maintaining cleanliness and harmony throughout their stay.  
• The house is fully furnished with electricity and running water.

Climate

• Malindi is along the coast shoreline with white sandy beaches and warm weather.
• Most of the time, it is warm and the community members are also kind.  
• It is therefore, recommended that the volunteer packs the appropriate cloths for the weather and maintains decent cloths in school.

General information

• Malindi is a tourist destination; therefore, the aspects and effects of tourism can be highly seen and experienced. That means that the locals especially in the town treat the volunteers like tourists and try to extort them at every possible opportunity.
• The means of transport is tuktuks (rickshaws) or motorbikes.  To & from the volunteer house to school is 2$.  The distance varies within the town centres.  
• Beaches are open to everyone, although caution should be put especially if traveling alone. If volunteering alone or two, it’s better to frequent to public beaches.
• Avoid the use of drugs as this could land you to jail.
• In the volunteer house neighborhood, it is advisable to maintain respect and silence as it is a residential area and keep matters privately.

Social amenities

• The house is situated in an ideal location close to the hospitals such as Aga Khan, Maimoon Hospital.  It is also near the shopping malls, banks, clubs, police station and the market.  All these places are accessible by foot. 
• The night life is also a very big thing in Malindi and it is advisable that volunteers remain very careful and avoid late night movements.

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 project 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 10 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