📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Mikono Pamoja community development project is located in Rodi, Homabay County. ‘Mikono Pamoja' means holding hands and it is based on the notion of people working together to do more. The project was started to help improve the livelihoods of vulnerable people including the youth, kids, widows, and the old. The main economic activity in the project region is farming and fishing.
Homabay County is among the counties in Kenya with high HIV prevalence, especially among the youth. This is somehow attributed to inadequate exposure to the outside world and a lack of employable skills. In addition, teenage pregnancies are on the rise among girls. The introduction of simple life skills could help reduce infection rates and teenage pregnancies. Life skills can also be extended to children when they are still younger to help them mature into responsible adults.
Old people mostly stay alone in the village since children have moved out to urban areas to seek employment. In some families, the old are widowed and therefore life has become a bit difficult for them. They have to bring water from the river and do other chores by themselves. The shelters are also not in good condition. This project presents an opportunity for volunteers to work with the local people, and learn the Luo culture as the people also learn from them.
💼 What the programme involves
• Farm work which involves weeding, digging, and planting maize, beans, and vegetables
• Assisting in fetching water from the river or the tap.
• Engaging in sports activities as well as playing with the children
• Assisting in grazing domestic animals
• Digging farms and as well as harvesting for the old, widows, and the project farm
• Organizing life skill sessions in schools around the area with the children
🏠 Accommodation on site
Accommodation will be at a host family in shared rooms and it is important that you have your own sleeping bag and mosquito net. During the workcamp, volunteers will get food from locally available foodstuffs and will share the responsibility of preparing the food.
📍 About the location
In this workcamp, volunteers will have a chance to do evening walks, home visits, cultural meetings and games. During weekends, volunteers can visit the Rusinga hills, Mafangano Islands and Tom Mboya Mausoleum., Leisure activities' costs are not included in the participation fee.
ℹ️ Additional information
CIVS organizes safaris to all the spectacular National Parks and touristic sites in Kenya, with the main attraction being Maasai Mara Game Reserve. Volunteers who wish to go on a safari should apply at least two weeks before arrival to enable us to make proper arrangements. The safari dates are as indicated in the workcamp program and the fee charged is all-inclusive of meals, transport, park entry, accommodation and tour guiding. The cost of a 3 days safari to Maasai Mara National Reserve with Serene East Africa Safaris is 420 USD in a Tour Jeep. The safari will be between 25th February and 27th February 2025