🏢 About the local organisation
Kenya Voluntary Development Association (KVDA) is an indigenous and membership organization which is non-political, non-sectarian and non-profit started in 1962 as a work camp organization registered under Societies Act. In 1993, KVDA was registered as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) by the establishment of NGOs Co-ordination Act.
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.
KVDA calls upon everyone to pull their resources and freely work together for international harmony and sustainable development in the spirit of “togetherness”. KVDA mobilizes volunteers from different countries in the world, regardless of their background or affiliation to live, learn and work together for the development of a needy community.
Our objectives
Communities are aware, mobilized resources and taken responsibility of their own development.
Young people have access to experiential education by offering voluntary service
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
Affiliations
KVDA is full member of the Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service based at UNESCO House in Paris France, partner to Service Civil International, partner to Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organizations, member of Eastern Africa Voluntary Service Development Network (EAVS-NETWORK) and founder member of Voluntary Associations Consortium of Kenya (VASCO)
💼 What the programme involves
Project Activities: Series of activities will be carried out as part of this project as detailed in the detailed project descriptions from the three countries Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. Volunteers should expect to work on all listed activities or some of them depending on the weather as well time of the project. Flexibility is highly appreciated for the volunteers choosing this project.
Study Part: The main topic will be “Peace Building and Conflict Transformation”. Volunteers are encouraged to bring information from their home communities on the subject matter for sharing. Please note that, you might be requested to facilitate some of the workshops or other public events.
Free time activities: The project provides you with an opportunity to enjoy what nature spectacularly endows the Eastern African region and this will depend on the amount of time available for the volunteers during the trip to Eastern Africa and of course the financial resources.
🏠 Accommodation on site
Accommodation: Volunteers will be hosted either in School building or houses provided by the hosting organization and communities. There are adequate sanitation facilities. Volunteers will be sharing rooms, some with mattresses on the floor. Electricity will be available though not reliable and it is advisable to keep this in mind avoid disappointment while in urban and rural Africa.
Food: Food will be provided to the volunteers throughout the project while in the community. Volunteers will share cooking in turns with a support of a local kitchen staff. Volunteers with meals restrictions should inform the camp leader/facilitator on arrival for prior arrangements. Vegetarian meals will be available.
⚠️ Requirements
Do not bring anything you cannot carry yourself. Restrict yourself to one bag and one small day-pack that can hold your camera, Swahili phrasebook, water bottle, lunch, sunglasses, sunscreen, a small first-aid kit, and any extra articles of clothing you might need to handle changes in weather.
Clothing: (Modest cotton clothing (not tight, flashy, ripped or displaying potentially offensive inscriptions or illustrations) is the most appropriate. Military wear are strictly illegal and thus will not be accepted.)
Cool summer clothes
Few nice clothes for parties, ceremonies and special occasions
Long pants and long sleeved shirts
Shorts (not short shorts) and T-shirts that cover shoulders.
Rain wear and folding umbrella
Sandals and walking shoes
Work shoes and gloves (See type of work)
Pajamas
Bandana, sun hat or scarf
Bed sheet and sleeping bag
Sports wear
Toiletries: (Non-scented items are preferable, since they do not attract insects)
Zip-lock bags
Soap, soap dish and shampoo
Sunscreen
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Comb and /or brush
Nail clippers
For women, sanitary napkins or tampons
For men, razor, shaving cream and blades
Talcum powder and deodorant
Personal first-aid kit: (Best to be stored in a strong plastic bag, to keep it dry and clean)
Small supply of: disinfectant, Band-Aids, gauze and adhesive tape, calamine lotion, insect repellent, throat lozenges, pain killer, anti-acid, and any on-going medication
You may wish to check with your doctor about what kind of vaccinations you may need
Miscellaneous (Add any of these items to your list according to your own personal preference)
Small day-pack
Camera
Water bottle
Pocket English-Swahili dictionary/phrasebook
Flash light (torch) and batteries
Notebook and pens for personal diary
Sewing kit with needle and thread
Sunglasses
Extra pair of prescription glasses, if applicable
Music instruments, CD player, playing cards, various games that you would like to share
Souvenirs, recipes and other items you may need for cultural exchange/ cultural evening
Two passport size photographs (please hand these photos on during the registration of volunteers on arrival)
Donation? (Sometimes we are asked by volunteers, if they can bring some stuff to donate and what is useful for them to bring)
Yes, some people will be in need of materials you want to bring; e.g. those living in poverty, widows, seniors, orphans, vulnerable children’s etc. Some donations can go to the project. You may want to bring the following items, but to do not feel obliged to do so;
English language books for children and for secondary schools
Pencils, colors, Exercise books and other educational aid
Sports stuff (Balls, wears, equipment’s etc.)
Children and adult cloths
Posters, materials and any other resources related to the project theme
Do not bring: Medicines or food stuff including sweets for donation!!
DOs and DONTs
• Do and try learning some basic Kiswahili/local language. Even greeting will be high appreciated.
• Do show an active interest in learning about the life in the community, and be open-minded especially with the cultural difference in the community.
• Do and try to be yourself despite the difference you may have with the community members e.g. going to church etc.
• Do keep promises e.g. visiting someone’s home or family they will be waiting for you and may get disappointed if you fail them.
• Do not make it difficult for future volunteers by giving out a lot of gifts or money. This is not the role of volunteers and we don’t want the community to rely or depend on you and neither should they perceive volunteers in this negative way.
• Always be cautious and nurture true friendship in your endeavour to support the needy.
• Do uphold the principles of volunteerism.
• Do live in accordance with the Laws of Kenya and KVDA regulations
• Do work alongside the local community members/project staffs /institution in the spirit of complementary support and co-operation.
• Do not get disappointed if things do not work out, remember change is a gradual process and every bit of impact will go a long way in make a difference for the community.
• Remember it’s all about learning from each other and not basically helping the local people.
ℹ️ Additional information
The project is an initiative of the regional volunteering platform Eastern Africa Voluntary Service Development Network (EAVS-NETWORK) that brings together volunteering organizations from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and South Sudan
The participation fees is EUR 450 in total meaning that EUR 150 is payable to the hosting organizatioin in each country and this will cover the transport from one country to the other, accommodation and meals
It is important for volunteers wishing to participate in this project to be highly motivated given the nature of the extensive travel within the three countries and this will be done by road transport.