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Geli Orphanage and School Project

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From August, 3rd to August, 26th

Education / Orphanage

Kisumu

Short-term volunteering

Description

ACTIVITIES

accommodation

orientation

LEISURE ACTIVITY

PROJECT FEE

ARRIVAL TERMINAL

The HIV/AIDS pandemic continues to ravage the world, but is especially evident in Africa which has experienced the highest rate of infections and deaths. As early as the year 2000, about 33.4 million people were HIV positive worldwide. Out of this number, 22 million were in the region of Sub Saharan Africa. In Kenya alone, 2.2 million were already infected with the Virus in the same year. It is reported that 700 people die in Kenya every day due to AIDS related causes. The rural prevalence rate is 12 – 13%, or 1.4 million people, and in urban areas, 17 – 18%, or 430,000 people. One out of every five Kenyans between the ages of 15 and 49 is infected with the AIDS Virus.
 

Nyanza Province has been particularly impacted with this epidemic. In 1997, the prevalence rate was 32.1%. The need to provide improved care to people living with HIV related diseases has placed considerable strain on the existing local healthcare and other support systems. Infant and maternal mortality rates are on the rise against a backdrop of extreme poverty. The advent of the life prolonging drugs aka anti-retroviral therapies have to some extent helped in containing the death rates while on the other hand lead to an increase in dependency rate further impacting on the already fragile local socioeconomic strata.

 

The responsibility of caring for orphans and vulnerable children emanating from this scenario poses a major challenge to the community. The social support systems in these communities are already overstretched and cannot cope with the ever increasing numbers of orphans and vulnerable children who are in need of basic shelter, education, food, clothing and healthcare. The increasing rise in the number of orphans and vulnerable children in Kenya is directly contributing to an increase in child labour, homelessness and an ever increasing school drop – out rate.

Volunteers will be involved in the following activities:

  • Organize community outreach with community health volunteers for  HIV/AIDS campaign especially for young people 

  • Organizing life skill sessions with the children in order to nurture them and live positive life while avoiding drug abuse and engaging in bad groups.

  • Assisting in teaching of simple Mathematics, English and Creative Arts subjects

  • Using sports, dancing, painting activities to develop creativity in the children

  • Management of a kindergarten for the development of destitute children

  • Enhancing community interaction by hosting volunteers from different countries and backgroundswho come to work and stay with us in work camps or as individual volunteers.

Volunteers will be hosted in the institution for the whole duration of the project. They will prepare and share meals together.

Volunteers need to carry cameras, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, guidebook, warm clothes, a sleeping mat, sleeping bag and mosquito net.

Orientation will begin in the morning of the 2nd of August 2023 at KVSO offices or hostels. Volunteers will be picked up from accommodation and taken to the orientation which will be conducted by our local staff in Nairobi.

 

It will cover everything they need to know about the project placement. During this orientation, volunteers will receive an introduction to the project, an introduction to Kenyan customs, language, expectations, safety and travel opportunities in Kenya.

The orientation will also give them a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.

Most of the free time will be spent sharing culture and friendship with local community members and the other volunteers on the project. There will be an opportunity to visit a local market, attend church, play soccer and participate in other community activities. Games like chess, playing cards and musical
instruments are welcomed.


Volunteers will also have the chance to discover Kakamega rain tropical forest for sunrise and sunset, different types of monkeys that are only found in Kakamega forest, Kisumu for boat ride, hippo search, bird watching and the famous ‘Crying stone’. Volunteers will also have the chance to visit the Lake
Victoria in Kisumu City and to see the many islands of the lake.

380€ which include project work, housing, all meals, transport from the airport and to the project site, and 24 hours on side staff support.

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport 

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