Project overview

Gibarori Primary School is situated in Maeta Sub-location, Maeta location, Kegonga division of Kuria. It is situated approximately 3 Km from Kehancha town, headquarters of the larger Kuria East and West Districts.

The school was founded in 1981 by community members and has a population of over 580 pupils with over 10 teaching staff employed by the Teachers service commission (TSC).

Composition of the community

The local community is predominantly Kuria that spread across Kenya and Tanzania. They neighbour the Maasai community and they are traditionally small-scale farmers and engage in small scale businesses revolving around agriculture.

AGE: Volunteers have to be at least 18 years old to participate in the work camp. There is no upper age limit.

PROJECT Activities: Volunteers will work for six hours daily from Monday to Friday.

TYPE OF WORK CAMP: RENO/EDU

Manual work and Intercultural activities:

• Brick making and construction work at the School
• Teaching pupils at the School
• Sporting together with the pupils
• Exposure to the challenges of Female Genital mutilation (FGM)
• Inter-cultural learning coupled with home visits for exposure to development challenges.
• Possibility to visit the historic sites like Hippo point on Lake Victoria in Kisumu City, renowned Kakamega Rain Forest and the Equator point at Maseno University; among other spectacular sites of interest in the region. However, this will be done most probably during the weekends.

PROJECT PARTICIPANTS: Maximum 20 volunteers from Kenya and the international community

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.

THEME: Advocacy against female genital mutilation

• Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a strong tradition in this community. It is illegal. But still the majority of the women are circumcised and each and every young woman is subjected to the cut.
• The church has preached against FGM for decades but in spite of the deep devoutness the priests do not have enough power over the souls.
• FGM has nothing to do with religion; it is a so-called culture and tradition in certain groups. The practice is deeply rooted in views on chastity, transition to womanhood, “purity” for marriage and basically a wish to control women sexually.
• In certain areas, the survival and fertility of the local community is assumed to be threatened if the girls are not circumcised. Many brave young girls who refuse FGM are regarded as “unmarriageable” and become outcasts.
• It is a brutal act, painful and has led to the spread of HIV/AIDS. Volunteers will work closely with community-based organizations in the area that are actively involved on the thematic focus of this project.

Orientation: Will be done on 3^rd July 2021 at KVDA Residence in Nairobi and the team will leave for the project on the morning of 4^th July 2021