Written by Alison | 26 March 2010

Its about time!

Back in 2006 I set up AVIF, 4 years later I'm finally getting to go back out and meet all the fantastic people I've been working with all this time thanks to our fantastic honorary (angelic) Trustee. We're investing in AVIF due to many factors, primarily because of a major opportunity to be part of a truly amazing environmental project headed by TerraEndeavors of the US. The project, though technically complex, utilises simple, natural processes to produce several profitable outcomes from only sunlight and water.

During the trip I'll be handing over donations from the UK to Ingrids Angels to support the childrens feeding program. An incredible £400 was also raised by Katherine and Lydia (friends of Zoe) at the Putney Rotary Christmas Dinner. The rotarians were very generous and the money will fund the poultry operations of the widows and children of the RABUOR Self Help Group just outside Kisumu. The money will specifically buy 100 local chickens, iron sheets and wood for coups, vaccines, feed and even fund a caretaker's position for a few months. Within 2 months its estimated 70 eggs per day will be laid or hatched providing valuable eggs and chickens. The cycle repeats, it is sustainable. Result!

The roadtrip itself will incorporate 18 different meetings in 12 separate locations but I'll also be taking my children up to the summit of Mount Kenya, Africa's 2nd largest to Kilimanjaro, guided by the wonderful Mary Kariuki. Born in the foothills, Mary's personally climbed the mountain many times, and "been there done Kili" over a hundred times!!.

See the trip on Tripwolf

I'll also be getting back into scuba with Daniel Floren, Diving the Crab in Diani and hanging out at Stilts Backpackers; the place in paradise that keeps the fire burning for the masses who aren't interested in paying insane colonial prices for corporate tourist traps!!

I'd like to take the opportunity to firstly thank fellow volunteer, Karl, for accompanying me on the trip. God forbid I'd have to change a tyre myself ;-) With the mileage we've got to do its good to halve it! also I must give huge thanks to friend and colleague Michael Ouma Nam for organising a vehicle for me to use at a very low cost. Kenya is renowned for its insane rental vehicle prices ...

...Talking of rip-offs, after a quote of £280 for anti-malarial Malarone, my fantastic nurse pal Carolyn suggested I take Doxycycline once a day .. total cost £43 .. much better! Doxycycline, as with all anti malarials, has possible side effects but is primarily an antibiotic. Still worth taking it as the alternative is a not-so-pleasant stay in hospital on a drip!

Photos and updates via the website and Facebook .......

Written by Alison | 22 March 2010

The ArrowWeb Community Hospital is a sanctuary for the thousands of residents of the slum area of Kayole-Soweto in outlying Nairobi. Since 2005 they have slowly been building up their facilities in order to be able to cater for and help more and more.

They have now been offered assistance by AID 2 Hospitals Worldwide, a remarkable UK operation that refurbishes used and redundant hospital equipment that the NHS and private hospitals in the UK no longer need. The refurbishment and equipment are provided freely but funds must be provided to cover shipping, utilising established links with existing charities and organisations in each destination to ensure safe delivery.

(Miike and the team at the main A2HW depot)

If you can help by donating a small amount please click the link to go to their online Donation page for further info. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to AVIF and we make the payments directly to the shipping agents and to A2HW. JustGiving also ensure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer.

There will also be a locally-held Ladies Pamper Evening, hosted by Paca in Harrogate; Clarendon House, 9 Victoria Avenue, Harrogate HG1 1JD 01423 505368

The event is being held May 14, 2010 6.30 – 9.30pm , I'll blog again nearer the time but on offer, for a ticket price of £15, is the wonderful opportunity to enjoy yourself while raising essential funds for ArrowWeb with:
•    Award winning Daniel Sandler Make Overs
•    Celebrity endorsed Leighton Denny Nail Treatments
•    Free advice from a Cosmetic Doctor
•    Advice from a Colour Me Beautiful Consultant
•    A collection of free gifts to take home

More later ....

Written by Alison | 10 February 2010

Here’s another brilliant idea from Afrigadget via Dominic Wanjihia (see links to his other gadgets below) – the fuel efficient Sufuria. A sufuria is the aluminium pan that is used by virtually everyone in Kenya to make tea, ugali and for cooking vegetables. Like all pots that we use, energy is wasted around the sides of the pot. In Africa this is expensive as fuel be it gas, kerosene or charcoal  is expensive.

This is what it looks like when assembled

The real shame is that it’s not in production, despite Dominic's belief that it saves at least 50-75% energy on a kerosene stove. Help us to find a way to get Dominic into production, perhaps alongside the Kinyanjui fuel efficient stove ?

Dominic Wanjihia has been previously on Afrigadget showcasing his flat parabolic mirror, container garden, wearable Solar Panel vest, Food dryer, and camel milk cooler.

Thanks to Erik for posting.

Written by Alison | 04 February 2010

Bryn and Helena have arrived and settled in to their 2 month placement in Kenya. They will be assisting the Ingrid Education Centre and then moving upcountry to stay with the Tumaini community in western province close to Mumias helping the work of Amanda Flanagan.

They were also joined yesterday by 2 Facebook friends and volunteers for an australian youth sports organisation that provides a "unique non-violent way of disciplining kids through mixing sport with social skill development". Imbuhira (2nd right) and Ruthy (centre) work in the city and volunteer whenever possible. We're hoping to link up Ingrids into the youth sport activities as well as assisting Michael Nam's football academy in Naivasha.

We'll be updating you regularly but you can click onto the FaceBook group for more photos.