Written by Alison | 06 July 2010

Its looking like we'll only be at "hydrogeological survey" stage by the time our volunteers reach Amboseli. Staff of Hope will be on site but, as with everything, if there aint no cash .....

Its such a hard time to be fundraising right now, but we continue to search for the cash needed to sink the borehole well in Enkito village. If you can help, please get in touch.

Written by Alison | 30 June 2010

AVIF has been associated with LLK; Live and Learn in Kenya, for many years now, sending volunteers to their operations centre in Nakuru. Having had a virtual office in Second Life (SL) since 2007, pictured below, I urged LLK's Director Brique Zeiner to join SL's virtual charity community – Nonprofit Commons.

In true German style, Brique soon had a modern, chic avatar and an even chic'er office than ours!!

Having a virtual office allows anyone anywhere in the world (with an internet connection and a decent graphics card) to come in and inform themselves about our work in Kenya, look at photos, listen to music, go shopping, visit virtual offices of other organisations and ..........there's no end to SL, quite literally. If an LLK member or an AVIF member is present, you can hold a conversation by either voice (headset) or by typing into chat. There are real people behind all of the so-called avatars, real conversations are held – as well as meetings. An actual child in Nakuru, an orphan, Veronica has already been sponsored through a Second Life contact.

When you log in to Second Life (Wikipedia link) type either Roxylifer Graf or Brique Topaz into the Search. LLK are holding a week long event in SL to fundraise to help the children in their care; July 10-18th.

Alongside SL clothing designers, G&N Quality Design, the "mega event" will be offering live music, DJs, dancing, African and European, drumming, auctions, sales, fashion shows and much more fun. Why not go in-world and join us!

Written by Alison | 14 June 2010

Written by Alison | 26 May 2010

Preparations are underway and folks are getting excited about this years Summer Programme of volunteering. 3 young ladies from UK will be spending a month with the Maasai Askari Enkito village in Amboseli.

There was "a relocation, in February 2010, of 7,000 wilderbeest and zebras by the Kenyan wildlife Service to Amboseli National Park, famed for the spectacular views of Mt Kilimanjaro and the elephant population....

Last year, the drought left millions hungry, killed livestock, evaporated lakes and streams and .... Amboseli was severely affected ... 60% of the zebra and wildebeest population died, severely compromising the ecological balance of the park and its surrounding areas....In addition, the drought took 50% to 80% of the Maasai cattle herds. Predators lost their prey base and lions, already critically endangered in Kenya, also faced starvation, so they turned to killing the few remaining cattle and other Maasai livestock...

The initiative will ensure the preservation of the ecosystem in the Amboseli. .." [link to article]

To help the village to avoid these problems and other water conflicts we'd like to help by either sinking a well in the village or using other water solutions. Quotes for wells are coming in at anywhere from $100 - $4000 but I'm sure with the maasai labour we can hire the equipment and expertise to do this for much cheaper. We're also getting "Extraordinary" help from a source I can't reveal .. yet! .. a fantastic new service to non-profits we're working with.

The wonderful guys at Excellent Development in London have also advised us on a widely researched and tested, practical and natural solution for semi-arid areas called Sand-damming. This utilises existing river beds to build a small dam just a few metres across and 2/3m high. During the rainy season obviously a large area of water can be built up but the area will soon fill with sand. During the dry season this sand can constitute between 25-40% water.

If you know anyone who can help during August, or wants to sponsor this project, or knows a company that would like to offer support, please let us know.

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.