Thank you, Jacqueline

 

 

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

Placement review

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

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HAVE YOU MENTIONED SOLAR COOKING TO ANYONE ?

AVIF is a UK exempt charity able to claim GiftAid HMRC ref. XR99385

Posting for transparency

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

 

In short

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

Something a bit different

Today started out by reading through last weeks New Scientist magazine (I'm falling behind due to the new recruitment drive for volunteers).

I started reading about www.ethanzuckerman.com and his fab work in opening the internet up, but also how countries like China are dividing the internet more and more. His creation www.globalvoicesonline.org is just brilliant, an "online community of worldwide blogs". Of course I immediately read some of the Kenyan / Tanzanian blogs and branched off (a very risky pastime for someone who works entirely online) to find this cool world music link .. http://hype.non-standard.net/list/360 click on any of the tracks "Listen" links and enjoy Brazilian/ African samba, Tanzanian/Maasai hip hip and vietnamese children singing on a street.

 

I'm writing this Blog style since as well as sending great music to all my friends I've also copied it to Blogger's email link to post directly onto AVIF's blog.

 

Fingers crossed my recent pleadings for help with this years Summers Volunteer Program to Global Voices at www.iesc.org, One Laptop Per Child, NFWI, the FairTrade Foundation and many more, go answered.

Infact I'm going to try much harder to update the Blog more too by simply going through my SENT email box to list my daily activities.

 

Its late Winter in Nidderdale, its a global-warming style 9/10 Celcius and the sun is so bright that even the guinea pig and the rabbit are sunbathing in the front garden. I really should go outside and make full use of the wireless phenomena .. actually maybe I'll just leave the internet for just half an hour and go play with my kids.

A Valentine's message from AVIF

 

Get your Valentine's gifts through www.buy.at/AVIF and AVIF will receive a donation.

Lingerie | Flowers | Perfumes and aftershaves | More

Marks and Spencer Marks and Spencer is increasing its commission to an incredible 8% from the 1st - 14th February.  This is a great opportunity to raise even more for AVIF.   Thorntons This Valentines season, Thorntons have created a selection of handcrafted treats to spoil that special someone. Sweet temptation for your loved one and 12% commission for AVIF. Buy Cosmetics Perfume and aftershave from big name brands.  Plus a FREE £25 gift when you spend over £25. AVIF will receive up to 10% of what you spend.

Pass this on to a friend and every purchase they make will raise funds for us

Don't miss...

Flowers for your Valentine from as little as £19.   Late availability hotel rooms with discounts of up to 70%.   Timely gifts and magnificent jewellery.

Visit www.buy.at/AVIF for more great offers from over 100 top retailers

Forward this mail on to help AVIF raise funds. Please forward this mail on if you think that you know people who would like to receive it. Responsible emailing Remember if someone receives this mail from you, then tells you they don't want to receive a similar one again you must not send them future messages. If you are considering forwarding it on you must do so only to people who you consider would like to receive it and to whom the content is relevant. If you have a formally-managed list you must only send it to those who have expressed that they wish to receive such mail from you. Purchases made through www.buy.at/AVIF All purchases are made according to the information and terms provided by the company making the sale to you. Further details on using the buy.at shop are provided on the site.

Book your holiday through www.buy.at/AVIF.

Please visit AVIF's NEW Webstore here and forward on responsibly.

Many Thanks

 

Book your holiday through www.buy.at/AVIF and AVIF will receive a donation.

Butlins Butlins offer families and adults a variety of holidays and weekend breaks, packed full of entertainment all year round.   Eurocamp Families love Eurocamp, the kids not only go free, they are free, with lots of room to play, new friends to make and so many free activities. Portland Direct Part of the world's No.1 holiday company, the World of TUI. They provide value for money, because they can offer the lowest prices by cutting out travel agents' costs.

Pass this on to a friend and every purchase they make will raise funds for us

Don't miss...

Haven offers all the facilities you need for your UK holiday and lots to entertain you throughout the day and evening.   LateRooms.com is the UK's largest supplier of late availability hotel rooms with discounts of up to 70%.   Thomsonfly.com offers lost cost flights from 20 UK airports to over 80 worldwide destinations.

Visit www.buy.at/AVIF for more great offers from over 100 retailers.

Forward this mail on to help AVIF raise funds. Please forward this mail on if you think that you know people who would like to receive it. Responsible emailing Remember if someone receives this mail from you, then tells you they don't want to receive a similar one again you must not send them future messages. If you are considering forwarding it on you must do so only to people who you consider would like to receive it and to whom the content is relevant. If you have a formally-managed list you must only send it to those who have expressed that they wish to receive such mail from you. Purchases made through www.buy.at/AVIF All purchases are made according to the information and terms provided by the company making the sale to you. Further details on using the buy.at shop are provided on the site.

Letter from Maseno/ Luanda hosts

Sincere greeting to you. I thank God for sustaining us well. I wish to convey my heartfelt gratitudes to you for your invaluable support and assistance through prayers, message of Love, moral and materials support through volunteers for this summer's Teaching program at Ebukuya Pri. School and community as a whole.  Their presence has touched and words can not express.

 

We have had a nice stay with them in the community.  Everyone wishes it were longer.  They truly gave our children what they really needed at school; that made them enjoy and gain more.  We too. What a pleasure! I believe they have also learnt alot from us including sign  language at Ebukuya school for the deaf.  I moved them to visit a number of schools to meet other students and also see what Kijana Educational Empowerment Initiative (K.E.E.I) is doing in Bunyore schools.  This is an NGO founded by Jim Cummings of Florida in America who taught me at Ebusiloli Sec. School sometimes back. He was very happy to hear about your programs. We all welcome u to team up with us for the betterment of Bunyore schools.  i am the Vice programme officer for KEEI

 

Besides, i take computer studies at Kima International School of Theology.  Therefore, IT program you have will be of a great impact to us in the community However, i am a mother of four children - one son Allen 11 Years in class five and three girls namely: Miriam 12 years in class five, Trevour Nine in class two and Doreen 8 in class three.

 

My husband is a Pastor.  I have a lot to thank God for us as a community(ies).  Mine is a dream come real; to see revival of our local school.

 

Pass our greetings to everyone.
May God Almighty richly bless you.

 

WELCOME!!!

 

Yours at Service
Mrs Susan J. Okola Sipeche
W/O Rev.  Samwel K. Sipeche and Family.
K.E.E.I.
BOX 503,40100,
LUANDA  KISUMU,
KENYA.

 

(Taken from website, received in writing September 7th 2006).