Project background
· Community health volunteers is a community health volunteers established back in 2008 by the local volunteers based in Kakamega County, this project is based within Shinyalu Sub County of Kakamega County with its main office at Virhembe market in shinyalu sub-county.
· The main purpose of this project was as a result of the immense destruction of kakamega forest by both the locals and outsiders.
· Kakamega Forest harbours immense and unique biodiversity due to its association with both lowland equatorial forest of central Africa and mountane forest of Kenya. Because of these unique contributions and island status, Kakamega Forest shows a high level of diversity and endemism The IUCN has put Kakamega Forest as a top priority for biodiversity conservation in East Africa.
· The key environmental problems in Kakamega forest ecosystem includes soil erosion, cultivation in riverbanks, deforestation and cutting down of tress, encroachment of forest boundaries, illegal and unsustainable harvest of forest products, high population growth rate increasing pressure on natural resource and food security.
· Land cover and historical analyses suggest that approximately 30 % of the forest has
been lost since it was gazetted in 1933 and 15% of indigenous forest with the gazetted kakamega forest was lost between 1972 and 2000, although most of the large clearing and logging has stoped since the 1980, there remains a very high demand by the local community for timber products
Volunteer tasks
Rehabilitation of Kakamega Rain Forest
Jigger eradication
Orphans support
Conduct mobile family planning clinics in the countryside
Submit Project Report to KVDA
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
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.
KVDA does not provide pocket money on its projects but the volunteers have an obligation to have their own budget based on their planned activities during their stay in the country.
The currency used is Kenya shillings.
Volunteers are discouraged from carrying large sums of cash as this exposes them to criminal elements in society.
Visa and MasterCard are the most convenient as you can draw cash at the ATM machines across the country.
ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION (eTA)
駐日ケニア共和国大使館https://www.kenyarep-jp.com › eta
Search for: How do I apply for eTA in Kenya?
How long does eTA Kenya take?
eTA Processing Time:
The processing time for a tourist eTA application can range from a few days to a few weeks. It usually takes between 24 and 72 hours to process a Kenyan eTA online application.
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.
Financial contribution
The project participation fee is Euro 250 per month paid upfront on arrival to the cover costs stipulated 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
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
KVDA should receive the Volunteer Exchange Form (VEF) from SCI sending organizations through email.
Kindly attach the motivation letter together with the scanned passport copy to enable us to issue the invitation letter for visa application process.
Time being of greatest essence, this should be done with one week after the volunteer has been accepted on the project.
KVDA will give feedback to the applications sent within 3 days.
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
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
- Find a project that interests you in our Open Projects
- Find your local organisation in your country of residence using our branch locator
- Get in touch with them with details about the project(s) you want to apply to. They will become your sending organisation.
- Any issues? Contact us!
