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Habari ~ Welcome!

AVIF is an innovative online charity, assisting with sustainable development via online & onsite volunteering in rural Kenya, East Africa. Being virtual means negligible administration costs for worldwide impact. We believe in efficiency, honesty and transparency. We don't charge fees.

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[Panorama shot above by Simon Gardner, a volunteer, taken minutes before the storm hit him while cycling through Kenya on the Tour d'Afrique. His full journal and pictures are here].



Roll Back Malaria Campaign

Written by Alison | 07 March 2007

AVIF Volunteers will now be assisting with distribution of goods and literature to all our hosts in the effort to eliminate Malaria, in line with Millennium Development Goals 6 and 7 and in attempts to achieve the Abuja targets of reducing malaria mortality and morbidity by 60% before 2010.
Working with KeNAAM (part of the World Health Organisation) we will be disseminating materials for the National Malaria Strategy and Communication.

Simply by passing on information AVIF Volunteers can help prevent, control and reduce the socio-economic burden of malaria. 
 
Small world, it must be. CEO of KeNAAM, Mr Gerald Mwangi Walterfang studied at Leeds University, where he met his wife. (I studied there too and live half an hour away.)
 
 
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Thank you, Jacqueline

Written by Alison | 06 March 2007

 
 

 

 

Dear Alison,

We wanted to share with you an article on Acumen Fund that just appeared in BusinessWeek's "Inside Innovation" supplement (the March 12 issue, now on newsstands).  The story, an extension and update of what was featured in their online magazine last fall, is also up on their website – along with a few web-only features, including slide shows on our investment in drip irrigation and about the Acumen Fund Fellows.

We're excited, of course, to be able to share the Acumen Fund message, but more so about the growing interest there seems to be in market-based models for addressing problems of poverty.

All the best,

Jacqueline Novogratz

 

  






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Placement review

Written by Alison | 28 February 2007

Info for volunteers
 
We have various projects including solar cooking introduction (please read details on Projects section of website they are very simple and small units which will already be being used but it is ongoing to ensure the cooks are still using them properly), also solar energy panel kit production (details later). You can help with health & hygiene teaching (we are receiving a brief from AMREF on this).
If we have raised funds for computers you can help teach basic IT..
 
We are also talking about projects for sustainable development such as oil production from sunflowers or from local tree seeds, also dairy farming (cattle to provide milk) or goats, etc .. you will help with whatever is ongoing at the time.
 
You can teach at your own schedule and help with whatever stage current construction projects are at. You will be mentor, teacher, friend to the children, playing sports, singing, eating, not "caring" for them in terms of a nanny. You will help cook meals, in solar cookers hopefully, and to tidy up, any way you wish. Teach art, teach creatively, there are kenyan teachers to teach straight maths etc. you will take part in the lives of the children as a whole.
 
The best advice I can give you, is to have an open mind .. nothing is written in stone. AVIF does not operate regimented classes as in ESL positions around the world. This is more of an experience for you all.
 
You will pay your own costs but .. if you wish you can pay the orphanage certainly no more than $200 a month (each) for costs upfront (fuel for electricity generator at orphanage/ firewood / electric to charge phones / cameras etc. & for any meals you have with the children, any transportation you need and fuel for the vehicle.) This price will cover all costs except drinks, bearing in mind you will eat with the children.
You will probably buy your own food too if you do not like the standard meals of rice and beans or maize and ugali (green veg).
 
$200 is only EUR150, or £100 for a whole month of transportation, meals with the children, electricity. This is very reasonable. The actual costs you may incur may be less, but $200 will also cover a donation to the construction of the next building, improvements to the orphanage, etc.
 
If you prefer then you can simply pay out for your costs as you incur them, and make sure you have discussed this with your host first. i.e pay for all taxis, pay for all food .. but you will find that you are charged more if you are paying yourself, than a local ever will be (your hosts). Please bear in mind that some volunteers pay agencies to place them (and may pay $500-$1000) for this, part of which is donated to the orphanage. Other volunteers may pay fees and costs of $300-1000 per person per month for the experience.
 
We believe you have already paid enough to get to Kenya, and in the time you are devoting but you should NOT incur any costs on your hosts.
 
AVIF are only concerned in sustainable development .. giving your host money does not help the children, giving them a way to earn money continually will .. and by doing something that involves the children is even better.
 
Asante & salamu !
Alison Lowndes
Founder Trustee
www.AVIF.Org.UK
VoIP & IM Skype : avif_volunteers_in_kenya
Member of the NCVO & DEA
Bookmark our Blog here
AVIF is a UK exempt charity able to claim GiftAid HMRC ref. XR99385
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Posting for transparency

Written by Alison | 20 February 2007

Alexia (a volunteer),
 
Imani Agape is not a tourist venue. You will have to wash in the river, and be careful not to contract malaria ! The children are orphans amd most have suffered abuse of some form. However they are lucky as they do have support from a US church and mission, who have funded their school fees, clothing and built a new building. Imani Agape are now at a stage where they can help AVIF in a logistical way as well as being a fantastic experience for volunteers.
 
....(part removed for confidentiality) Greed is an unfortunate consequence of success and sometimes clothing and donations to children are sold on for other means. The fact remains that the children are still in need of our non-financial support.
Giving a poor child money will not help them in life.
 
We do not support Imani Agape financially, in fact we only ever pay them for their logistical support e.g. driving / hiring a minibus. Job Manenga is a very trustworthy young man and will go far out of his way to make you comfortable. Money is a different matter but when asked Job will help with anything we need. I value the work he has done for us.
 
Do not get too focused on the dark side of Africa (e.g. The Constant Gardener movie). There is corruption all over Kenya, and Africa. We should be thankful that there are areas in Kenya we can actually travel without fear of being robbed, mugged or killed. Darfur is not so far away !! Security is a serious issue which is high in our priorities, and Imani Agape is a good introduction. From there you can go to stay at the JNMCC, Jehovah Nissi Mercy Childrens Centre in Maseno. Mercy home, ran by Deborah and Edward, and also supported by a US church group are in more need than Imani Agape. ..........(part removed for confidentiality) 
Imani does not have computers or grid electric by the way, Pastor Liston lives nearer to Kisii and has such things, probably because of his salary from Directing the home, but he has worked very hard over the years on behalf of the children, and his wife, and son, Job. He is, however, paid a pittance compared with some larger "aid" organisation salaries. Corporate costs is not something I want AVIF to be covering, I would rather money go directly on sustainable projects.
 
AVIF seeks to keep everything in perspective, and does not simply handout money !
However, be assured we are not blind ! and are currently actively involved in removing a proven corrupt Director from an orphanage in Nakuru, so as to ensure the safety of the children housed there. I do not believe, however, this is something you need to be involved in.
 
Kindest regards
Alison
 
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In short

Written by Alison | 09 February 2007

Just a note to mention the potential new projects and partnerships :
These projects require volunteers capable of understanding and creatively working with design principles and materials, teaching skills, and organising/problem-solving/leadership skills. In short, can you put a cooking pot in a plastic bag ?
 
For each project we will have field representatives on hand to help but all training material will be made available before and during workshops, and as part of Orientation.
 
1. Solar-Aid, London for provision of solar energy panels. Check out the videos on http://solar-aid.org/solar-videos/ which tell all about their work in Malawi. We'll hopefully be distributing solar-electricity-generating kits and giving training to host communities. These kits can then be sold at local markets to generate sustainable income.
 
2. BogoLights / distributing solar-powered torches from www.sunnightsolar.com
 
3. Solar Cookers International (CA, USA). www.solarcooking.org 

The "CooKit" is basically a Slow Cooker. I've used a slow cooker for years, they're incredible for retaining moisture, nutrients and flavour. BUT THIS ONE IS POWERED BY THE SUN ! which is, as we know, free. Solar cooking saves precious fuel that rural women sometimes walk up to 10km a day to find. The food cooks unattended while you do other things, the pots are easy to clean with no soot on the outside. They are perfect for pasteurizing milk and water, saving the lives of children.
Even better .. the CooKit can be made with about 1 or 2 US$s worth of materials and an hour or so of labour. Drawings and pictures are available here http://solarcooking.org/plans/Plans.pdf.
 
How incredibly simple and brilliant !
Putting these 3 items together, just think of how much less wood smoke will be in the lungs of the children and rural community.
 
We can make a difference in just one volunteer programme.
Please take part with AVIF
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