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.
Vision Statement of KVDA: We envisage KVDA as an organization with a large membership working towards the improvement of quality of life of the community.
Mission Statement of KVDA: Mobilizing all-purpose resources to support community development initiatives.
Core Values or Operating Principles
· Promotion of voluntarism.
· Transparency and accountability.
· Participatory evaluation of projects.
· Local community ownership of projects:
· Continuous research and development.
· Regular follow up of projects.
· A learning organization.
· Documentary evidence of processes and events.
Strategic Objectives
· Afford voluntary service opportunities to young people.
· Mobilize communities to action.
· Supplement formal education with experiential learning.
· Create awareness amongst Kenyan communities about development issues.
· Foster global peace, friendship and understanding.
· Mobilizing all-purpose resources to promote grassroots development
Values
KVDA has a 62-year history of working to “develop against dependence” while cultivating trust and friendships with volunteers and partner organizations all over the world. The three mandates of the organization are as follows:
■ The Association shall be a non-profit, non-governmental, non-religious and non-political Association, whose inspiration is the furtherance of peace, friendship, understanding, development, democracy and equality among peoples of different cultures and backgrounds.
■ The Association is dedicated to seeking opportunities for young men and women from diverse national, cultural and educational backgrounds to live, work and share life and experiences in order to improve their world, to provide voluntary services to marginalized communities, to acquire alternative education, to gather information and build international cooperation.
■ The Association is further dedicated to mobilizing resources within and across national borders to support community development initiatives whose aims are to eradicate poverty and human suffering as well as to promote democracy and justice among peoples.

• 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 SCI-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.
TYPE OF WORK CAMP: CHIL/EDUC
Manual work and Intercultural activities:
• Teaching
• Playing with children
• Participate in development of club activities in the school
• Promotion of sports and extra curriculum activities such as physical education
• Working in the school garden
• Home visits to experience challenges of development at the grassroots

• Volunteers will stay in a homestead with basic living conditions.
• Volunteers have an obligation to climb down the level of the people with the aim of exposure to development challenges.
• KVDA will provide foodstuffs and volunteers will cook their own meals in turns.
• Water is available from springs and it is recommended that drinking water should be boiled or medicated. Mineral water available at supermarkets is recommended.
• There is no electricity connection at the project but volunteers can charge their electric appliances at the nearest market center.
• However, the Government policy to install ICT in primary schools has seen connectivity to the national power grid for most educational institutions in Kenya and this makes it easy for volunteers to use electric appliances while at the project.
• Furthermore, we invite you to bring typical food, spices, drinks, games and music from your country (for an intercultural evening) – and a lot of motivation!

Volunteer have the opportunity to visit local villages and experience cultural diversity among the legendary Luo Community.

KVDA offers educational tours to spectacular sites of interests and we welcome volunteers interested to request through email for specific information.

We look forward to welcoming you to our wonderful country Kenya.

WHAT TO CARRY:
• Working clothes, light clothes during working hours and warm clothes especially during camp fire.
• Gloves
• Mosquito net and mosquitoes’ repellent
• Musical instrument {optional}
• Sleeping bag, mat and a pillow.
• Torch or flash light
• Water purifiers {optional}.
• Personal effects {i.e. soap, toothpaste, toiletries}
• National flag of your country
• Meals you will prepare to be shared among the participants during the cultural nights from your country.
• Donations in form of books or learning materials appropriate for Primary school children, toys, balls, e.t.c. are welcome.
• Kindly note that medical donations are inappropriate.
• A happy and positive attitude

International arrivals at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya. Volunteers will be picked up subject to provision of full flight information. KVDA staff will have a pager displayed with full names of the volunteer inscribed.