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

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.

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

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 done 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.

Volunteers will be picked at the airport on arrival to Kenya and taken to the Nairobi South YMCA Hostel.