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GIDEON MOSI PRIMARY SCHOOL

, Kenya

Notes

THEME: HUMAN AND WILDLIFE CONFLICT THE BANE OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
• This phenomenon of human beings and wildlife conflict is very controversial and has attracted the attention of all and sundry. The scenario is prompted by the proximity of the local community to the Tsavo National Park that is the home to wildlife and this directly plays into the hands of the local community members who are forced by the circumstances to learn to live with the situation and the attendant challenges.
• Working with community groups on poverty reduction and sustainable development will involve the active involvement in projects that are geared towards youth and women empowerment activities, HIV/AIDS awareness, provision of infrastructure in learning institutions. Poverty is a major issue in the local community and is directly linked to the spread of HIV/AIDS because poverty drives HIV/AIDS and HIV/AIDS drives poverty.
• This highlights the need for a multifaceted response to both problems, but particularly to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Both these problems disproportionately affect women and youth. The goal is to try and enable the local members address community issues, thus enhancing the economic and social empowerment of women and youth for poverty reduction in Gideon Mosi, and linking this with activities to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.
• These activities will also help strengthen rural community and their local economies. In the process being able to improve access to quality education for school children

In partnership with

Project background
The Taita hills rise from the Southeastern Nyika Plateau. They are ancient fault-block formation stretching south to Malawi through Eastern and Southern Tanzania. They sit almost cheek-by-jowl with one of the region’s recent volcanic ranges, the Chyulu Hills. The project is situated on the foot of the Sagalla Hills in Taita Taveta district in coastal part of Kenya. It is approximately 7-8 hours’ drive from Nairobi. Sagalla is remembered to be a home of the first missionaries in the early 1900 and these is evident with one of the first churches in Kenya still standing strong.
Project activities
Gideon Mosi Primary School is a relatively new institution was founded in 1990 and it has rapidly expanded to accommodate 293 boys and girls from class 1-8. The 8 Teachers at the Gideon Mosi Primary School are employed by the Teachers Service commission and they are qualified to teach all rounds from class 1-8. In cases where the teaching staff is not adequate, the Parents and Teachers Association employs teachers for a short duration of time to help bridge the obtaining gap.


Description of the Work

Volunteer tasks
• Teaching Primary School pupils
• Physical education and life skills education
• Training to build capacities for community based organizations
• Submit Project Report to KVDA


Accommodation & Food

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.


Location & Leisure

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


Requirements

Financial contribution
• The project participation fee is Euro 250 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. Payment can be made either through international bank transfer or cash payment on arrival to Kenya
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, vaccinations and Insurance
• Local travel
• Personal effects
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.
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.


Appointment

International arrivals terminal at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport


Host Organization

Who we are Kenya Voluntary Development Association (KVDA) is an indigenous and membership organization which is non-political, non-sectarian and non-profit started in May 1962 as a work camp Organization. In 1969 the organization widened its scope and diversified its operations in the entire development spectrum with the international voluntary service exchange as the core-competence of the Association. Our Philosophy KVDA seeks to promote inter-cultural education, international peace, inter-human understanding and solidarity as well as sustainable community development through voluntary service “Development against Dependence” captures KVDA’s philosophy Our strategic objectives Communities are aware of development issues, mobilized resources and taken responsibility of their own development. Young people have access to experiential education by offering voluntary service Our programs Work camps Medium and Long-term Voluntary Service Projects Language i.e. Kiswahili and English training Performing arts Educational tours Enterprise development Exchange programs Capacity building and empowerment for self help groups Awareness creation on thematic issues i.e. HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Tuberculosis, Civic education, Girl child education, Gender, Peace building and conflict transformation, Protection of world heritage sites, Environmental conservation est. Mission statement Mobilizing all-purpose resources to support community development initiatives Vision Statement Envisages KVDA as an organization with a large membership working towards the improvement of quality of life of the community What does it take to volunteer? This query is often posed at the mention of voluntary service: What will I gain? Can you offer yourself to provide services without material or financial rewards? Do you mean it in principle in your quest to reach out to the deprived in society made destitute be dehumanizing socio-economic structures? And ultimately what drives you as a human being? If you can answer these questions in the affirmative, then KVDA is the right forum for you to serve the people. A volunteer should have strong motivation and commitment to offer services with dignity without imposing values on those who receive your help. This irrespective of academics, religion, social status, etc and must remain a servant of the people as demonstrated by the values guiding exchange of good practice in society.