Project Name: Shining Star ecdc and orphans school

Code: KVDA/MLTV/2023/08

Location: Muhuru Bay, Migori County, Lake Victoria Region.

Service Sector: Education and Orphans Support

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

Shining Star ECDC and Orphans School is located in Migori County, Nyatike Sub-county, Muhuru division, Muhuru -East location in Tagache Sub-location, along Muhuru-Migori road.
The School was founded in 1999 by Mr. Hevrone Killmess Mairah due to lack of access to educational institutions in the area due to its remote setting, challenges posed by orphans the majority of whose parents are ravaged by HIV/AIDS pandemic and the high illiteracy levels within the community coupled high unemployment.
In 2000 the school had a good number of children and 3 teachers and the community enjoyed the being of Shining Star.
In 2001 the school was temporarily closed due to the conflict within the local community until 2002 when this was resolved and the community agreed to host the School at the local Church due to lack of classroom buildings.
2003 the land was bought and demarcation done.
In 2005 the first classroom was built by a volunteer called Steffi Rahn a 19-year old from Germany.
2009 started hosting volunteers from KVDA courtesy of the Germany Government sponsored program “Weltwaerts” that afforded young Germans an opportunity to volunteer in Kenya for the duration of one year.
2011 Shining Star was registered with the Kenyan Government as a learning institution.
2012 started building dormitory for both orphans and those having parents with the help of former KVDA volunteer from Germany named Daniel, which structure has since been completed.
2013 the School started goat farming and poultry farming that is still underway. It also set aside space for an orphanage home and new toilets that are already finished.
There are more plans in the pipeline e.g. Agriculture, Business loaning for the widows and youths, competitive sports between local clubs and the School where trophies, balls and other gifts will be awarded to the participating teams
The School has a population of over 360 children, 11 teachers and 5 support staff.
The School has classes from Kindergarten to Standard eight.
Shining Star ECDC and Orphans School is a community based education institution and caters for the needs of the orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) that had been rendered destitute.
Fishing is the mainstay of the local community thanks to the expansive Lake Victoria.
Due to the easy cash courtesy of the Lake, young people have been lured to drop out of School to engage in fishing and this has negatively impacted on the community since it has resulted in early marriages, school drop outs, early and unplanned pregnancies not forgetting the spread of HIV/AIDS that has resulted in increased number of OVC’s in the community.
Community empowerment is crucial in achieving the overall objective of attaining sustainable development.

Project activities

Early childhood development; basic primary school education;
This year 2015 the School has launched the secondary school section with the first students’ intake launched in February 2015.
Care and support orphans and vulnerable Children and HIV/AIDS families;
Enhancement of community empowerment trainings; ICT promotion and development in the local area and capacity building for community based organizations.

Volunteer tasks

Tasks of the volunteer in the project will be teaching: Languages (Any of these subjects English, French and Germany) Mathematics and Science
Development of club activities in the school
Promotion of sports and extra curriculum activities such as physical education; working in the school garden
Submit Project Report to KVDA

Requested knowledge of language

Volunteers interested in being placed in Shining Star Academy are expected to have a good command of the English language.
Volunteers will also be expected to learn the basics of the Kiswahili language to enable them be in a position to communicate freely with the elderly and also the children in the school, which will also assist in the integration of the volunteer in the local community and the host family.

Qualifications required for the placement / Expectations towards the volunteer:

The volunteer should be motivated towards the academic development of the students that s/he will be assigned while in the project. They also should be able to teach or have close affinity to education to transform the future of the pupils
The volunteers are expected to be open minded and ready to adapt to the local system of education, culture and condition of life.

Expected results: increased literacy level in the community; elimination of the culture of dependence among the community members through open discussions and conversations; emergence of good citizens and leaders that will be able to take responsibility of the development needs of the local community.

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 to 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 15 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