Project Name: Ng’onzini Primary School

Code: KVDA/MLTV/2023/15

Service Sector: Child Development Center.

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

• Ng’onzini primary school was started in the year 1964 by the Mwachinga villagers. The main purpose was to bring learning services near the community. The school was built using local materials till the year 2000 when born free foundation came to build seven permanent classrooms and an office.
• The school is a government school ran by T.S.C Teachers and P.T.A Teachers. The school has an active Wildlife club which initiated a wildlife area (elerock nature trail) near the school environment. Children are made conversant with conservation activities day by day out. Other clubs include Debate, Choir and Drama. 
• Apart from the government we have NGOs which do support Ng’onzini School. These include JICA (KEMRI), Plan Kenya, born free Foundation, Camp Kenya. K.W.S also constructed one classroom and the school is managed by committee of parents.

Vision: To educate both boys and girls.

Mission: To develop talent of every pupil for faster development of the nation

School objectives

• Bring education near the community
• Educate both boys and girls
• Develop talents of every child

ACTIVITIES 

• Teaching students.
• Playing games (football, netball, volleyball, and hockey).
• Creating awareness in conservation.
•  Keeping and maintaining tree nursery. 
• Guiding visitors in the elerock nature trail.
• Keeping the school environment clean.
• Guiding and counseling students.

NETWORKING 

• The school is working under the ministry of education. 
• It is linked with KNUT, K.W.S, Colobus Conservation, Plan in Kenya, JICA, KEMRI, Bamburi Green School Project, wildlife clubs of Kenya. 
• It is also connected with the local CBO called Nuru.

FINANCIAL SOURCES

• The group depends entirely on government to fund the free primary education as well as TSC (teachers’ salaries). 
• Parents pay money for PTA teachers’ water bulls and cooks. The school receives money from the sale of Aloe vera soaps and tree seedling from the school tree nursery.

STRENGTHS

• Since establishment the school has been getting strong support from Mwachinga villagers. 
• The Kenya government has been funding teachers to teach in the government school. Apart from the government the school is connected with NGOs and parental boards e.g. Plan Kenya, Kenya Wildlife Service, Born Free Foundation and JICA, KEMRI.
• The School infrastructure is relatively endowed with administration and classrooms
• We have a solar panel which gives lights to our class 8 boarders also the school is connected with rural electrification.

CHALLENGES 

• Lack of hardware infrastructure like computers and photocopier machines to enhance operations. 
• High poverty levels among the parents within the community and this hampers aspirations for higher education
• Lack of opportunities to enhance exchange program with other institutions in order to provide the platform for exposure to challenges of development.

FUTURE GROWTH STRATEGY 

• The school aims at bringing international volunteering programs so as to bring in new ideas, enhance the capacities of the host community to tackle development challenges
• Our children will have to work with the international community in order to widen their horizons on cultural diversity, hone communication skills with enhanced capacities.

Volunteer tasks

• Teaching children at the school
• General care of the children
• Organize games, sports, drawing lessons, singing sessions, dancing, and other creative, educational and extracurricular activities
• Resource Mobilization to enhance the capacity of the institution.
• Submit Project Report to KVDA

REGULATIONS

Though volunteers ascribe to different cultures and ethics the following are key regulations 

• Respect for every child, fellow volunteers, staff and management
• Obtain authority from the management before taking any pictures of the children, staff or buildings
• Abstain from smoking, alcohol and other prohibited drugs within the institution
• Appropriate dressing
• Follow established channels of reporting on all matters
• Treat all information related to the children and the institution in strict confidence
• No invitations to personal friends/relatives and strangers at the institution

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 2023
• 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 2023
• 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 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 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