Environmental Conservation Project in Machakos

  Kenya

Machakos

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: March 18 - April 9, 2009

Description: The international volunteer project will be held in Machakos District for 3 weeks. Volunteers will come together to demonstrate the power of voluntary service in meeting critical needs of the local communities. The main objective of the volunteer project is Environmental conservation.

Project dates:
March 18 - April 9, 2009
December 2 - December 24, 2009

The volunteers in this project will be involved in planting trees, designing brochures, teaching the local people finance and management. The program aims to raise awareness and sensitize people on environmental issues and to improve the eco-system of the town by planting trees.

The volunteers will be involved in preparing nurseries, seedbeds, weeding, watering, picking soil, planting trees by the river Iyeni, designing brochures, selling tree seedlings, teaching finance and administration.

All volunteers will first meet in Nairobi for orientation. From Nairobi the volunteers will travel together to the project site in Machakos.

Machakos is located in the Eastern province, about 1 and half hours drive from Nairobi (50 km). The project is located within Machakos town. Public transport is available. The closest Hospital is within Machakos town. Markets, Post Office, Banks (ATMs), Internet and other facilities are located in Machakos town.

There is an extra fee of 250 Euros for participation in this project, intended to support the local hosting organization.

Highlights: In the free time the volunteers can visit Kyamwilu (an area where there is gravitational pull), Satellite, Wanyavu (where wood carving is done) and Machakos town.

There will be cultural presentations where all the volunteers will have an opportunity to present their countries and cultures. Volunteers will be free to choose presentation methods like story telling, singing, dancing, drama, speeches, etc.

Qualifications: No particular expertise or skills required. Participants should have a positive attitude, be ready to adopt and enjoy simple living conditions, be flexible and patient. However, specialized skills and expertise (such as knowledge in marketing and appropriate technology in farming) will be used accordingly.

Cost in US$: $290

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Motivated to work voluntarily within an international team, tolerant, open-minded and cooperative person with adventurous spirit.

Age Range: 20 and over

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to Kenya Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

CADIP - Canadian Alliance for Development Initiatives and Projects's Mission Statement: CADIP promotes peace, cooperation, tolerance and understanding in international, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural surroundings. The organization also promotes patterns and examples of civil activities focused on serving others, on building social ties and strengthening communities, on supporting civil society development. Aims and general objectives: * To promote volunteering as an expression of civic contribution * To strengthen the international contacts among young people * To build tolerance and understanding in multicultural and multi-ethnic surroundings *To promote multiunderstanding among youth all over the world * To facilitate the individual growth of the volunteers through the acquisition of work, life and learning skills * To work for the recognition and promotion of non-formal learning * To support the community initiatives and assist in community development.