Volunteer abroad in a village near Kitui, Kenya

VTKEVV1 - More projects

VTKEVV1 - Kitui

Volunteers that are at least 21 years old are welcome for a minimum of 8 weeks.

This project aims to be a self-sustaining community that will host up to 1000 children and 200 grandparents that have been affected by AIDS. It is at a remote location 3 hours away from Nairobi, 14 km (8 mi) from the road and 33 km (20 mi) from the nearest town.

This is a relatively new project and it is currently hosting about 300 children and 30 grandparents. There is a primary school, a dairy/poultry farm, bee hives, a tree nursery, a small trade school and a clinic. There is also an effort to develop biofuel from castor oil and all farming is organic.

Volunteers in this project would work in the farm and be expected to do manual work. The needs of the facility vary and change often, so volunteers should be flexible and ready to do whatever is asked of them. There are teachers at the primary school, but volunteers can lead after-school activities and if they have a certain skill, can help teach woodworking, metalworking and other skills at the polytechnic trade school.

Living conditions are very basic, as there is no electricity or reliable running water. Showers are taken with a bucket and the compost toilets are of the squat variety. Accommodation may be shared with other volunteers, and the rooms have bunk beds. Volunteers need to bring linens, towels, most personal supplies and appropriate medication. Meals are cooked and taken communally and volunteers are encouraged to bring their own special foods and drinking water. There is no internet but there is cell phone coverage and a limited capacity for charging mobile phones.

The climate is very hot and dry. Volunteers need to be able-bodied and capable of manual work under a hot sun. There are snakes, mosquitoes, scorpions and other wildlife around. Anti-malaria medication is recommended, as is a prescription for Cipro. There is a nurse and two policemen on site, and volunteers are required to dress and behave in respect to local customs. There is a lot of work to be done, and the project is constantly growing.