Please confirm your places ASAP.
Please contact GDS safari directly via the website if you wish to book a safari after the Programme ends, from 25 August.
Internet access can be found in local towns at Ksh60 (approx $1) an hour but mobile communications are much easier, esp. if you can access the internet too. Please remember internet access in rural locations is by poor satellite bandwidth only. A prepaid Kenya SIM card with a GSM international cell phone is the most convenient and economical solution while you travel in Kenya. All incoming calls while in Kenya, regardless of where they originate, are FREE! Pay the local rate for local calls and use a cellular phone in Kenya like you do at home. And unlike home, your Kenya SIM card and cell phone service is prepaid so there is no need for a contract. You can send an SMS & people can call you back or SMS you back. If you want to make international calls you will need an international SIM, again, you can get these in Nairobi.
US dollars are acceptable in Kenya but you'll need small local currency in rural locations. You can pay your host for food etc in either currency, they will be able to buy a lot more for their money than you, as locals get much cheaper rates than us "muzungus".
AVIF Volunteers may be assisting with distribution of goods and literature to our hosts in the effort to eliminate Malaria. Working with KeNAAM (part of the RollBackMalaria initiative hosted by the World Health Organisation) simply by passing on information AVIF Volunteers can help prevent, control and reduce the socio-economic burden of malaria. Educational materials and mosquito nets will be passed around at Orientation in Nairobi (TBC).
We have signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with 540 Airlines for all internal flights. 540 allow up to 45kg baggage allowance for AVIF Volunteers. We strongly recommend that volunteers travel up-country by air, a much more convenient, faster and safer method of travel, though this cost must be borne yourselves. .. internal flights take 1 hour rather than 6-9 hours by road and cost around GBP60 return.
Distance-learning for Solar Cookers .. see Plans.pdf here
We need all volunteers to study these plans. A full demonstration will be given to your host and you can assist with training in simple construction and use of the Solar "slow-cookers", under the guidance of SCI (Nairobi). SCI Archive site here
Points to note :
* Woman need to be trained since women do most of the cooking
* We must gain the attention of the elders of each community, for people to follow
* We must be sensitive to how they cook and how solar cooking may affect taste so men need to be involved, since they also may pay for the cooker / build the cooker, and will most definitely eat the food
* For those that rely on gathered firewood instead of purchased wood or charcoal, women and girls usually do most of the fuel collecting. Time saved by women and girls gathering firewood must be given a recognized value, as time to earn money building and re-selling cookers, baking cakes for example.
* Less firewood is needed so solar cooking is saving the forests - Forests mean rain, crops, livestock…money.
* Lack of smoke and soot is essential to lung health for cooks and children.
* Benefits of cookers for pasteurizing milk and water.
* Free to use because the sun's power is great enough to cook their food !
* Women and children can make extra money by using solar cooking to bake birthday cakes.
The Solar Cooking project continues to grow, please read the page on the SCI Wiki dedicated to Kenya. Especially this.
We can pass on details of SafeMed medical insurance. This is a package discounted for AVIF Volunteers though you may find that your travel insurance covers most of this anyway. We also recommend taking out Flying Doctor membership (please see Join Us > Safety section on website).
For all those not already informed please see the website section on Development Education, especially if you are a UK trainee teacher.Preparing for volunteering, volunteering itself and reflecting on the experience on your return are all likely to impact on your teaching.
We are now working with MASTA. They have an online shop for travel goods. MASTA's free travel health guide is available from the website.
Please send in AVIF Medical Forms if you have not already done so. Without these your place is not confirmed.
AVIF are supporting www.mannarelief.org with glyconutrient distribution. Nick & Charlie have just delivered 6 months supply, please help with distribution (i.e. make sure the girls aren't eating the supplements like sweets !) Glyconutrients are not vitamins, minerals, amino acids or enzymes, but are in a class of their own as nutritional supplement "sugars".
Itinerary as per website :
25 July arrival at JKIA, Nairobi & Gracia Guest House
Orientation 26 July with Sharon at the Gracia
Return flights to Kisumu (book through www.fly540.com 8am NBO-KISUMU-NBO) 26/27 July
4 week programme 27 July to 24 August
Return flight to Nairobi / NBO-Mara for Safari rendezvous / own plans/ home 27 Aug
Maasai Mara Safari 25-28/30 Aug
NB. Safari is optional ~ itinerary on JOIN US > Safari section
Please try to contact your respective airlines and ask for a charitable baggage allowance if you are bringing over classroom items. Normally airlines are happy to help. I can provide confirmation if necessary, or else pass on my details. Try to bring only group items to avoid diasppointment e.g. 10 sets of pads and pens cannot be shared around 30 children very fairly.
Sharon or a representative of AVIF will meet you at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. On the occasion of delays, please make a note of the following. Only the most experienced African travellers can resist the temptations of Nairobi's taxi touts !!!
Gracia Guest House address : off Ring Road, Kilimani Road, behind the Ya Ya Centre/ Mall, in Hurlingham area. The Gracia is a very clean, pleasant, quiet place with excellent hospitality.
Gracia Guest House, taxi fare should be absolutely no more than Ksh1200 per person.
The price for a twin room (cost shared between 2 sharing) is Ksh4250 / USD$ 62. A single is Ksh3250 .. these are extremely reasonable prices for central, secure Nairobi. We can arrange budget accommodation elsewhere but cannot guarantee your safety.
Should you require a Letter of Invitation for your TOURIST visas please let me know, they are not essential providing you give your hosts address.
Regarding educational posters, there is an instructions poster here should you wish to take some with you http://www.fourthway.co.uk/posters/pages/cover.html
Can you all please make sure you are subscribed to the Blog as updates are published there and act as an archive for information. If you subscribe (most of you should already be) you will get sent the updates every time I write something.
We were wondering if any of you wanted to plan a classroom painting day with your hosts. Paint is very cheap and as you will see walls can be very bare. Please consider this activity. It would of course involve the children in a fantastic lasting project. You can make arrangements on arrival with your hosts.
Don't forget high-power batteries for digital cameras etc. The standard AA types in Maseno sometimes aren't powerful enough to work with digital cameras.
Please contact GDS safari directly via the website if you wish to book a safari after the Programme ends, from 25 August.
Internet access can be found in local towns at Ksh60 (approx $1) an hour but mobile communications are much easier, esp. if you can access the internet too. Please remember internet access in rural locations is by poor satellite bandwidth only. A prepaid Kenya SIM card with a GSM international cell phone is the most convenient and economical solution while you travel in Kenya. All incoming calls while in Kenya, regardless of where they originate, are FREE! Pay the local rate for local calls and use a cellular phone in Kenya like you do at home. And unlike home, your Kenya SIM card and cell phone service is prepaid so there is no need for a contract. You can send an SMS & people can call you back or SMS you back. If you want to make international calls you will need an international SIM, again, you can get these in Nairobi.
US dollars are acceptable in Kenya but you'll need small local currency in rural locations. You can pay your host for food etc in either currency, they will be able to buy a lot more for their money than you, as locals get much cheaper rates than us "muzungus".
AVIF Volunteers may be assisting with distribution of goods and literature to our hosts in the effort to eliminate Malaria. Working with KeNAAM (part of the RollBackMalaria initiative hosted by the World Health Organisation) simply by passing on information AVIF Volunteers can help prevent, control and reduce the socio-economic burden of malaria. Educational materials and mosquito nets will be passed around at Orientation in Nairobi (TBC).
We have signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with 540 Airlines for all internal flights. 540 allow up to 45kg baggage allowance for AVIF Volunteers. We strongly recommend that volunteers travel up-country by air, a much more convenient, faster and safer method of travel, though this cost must be borne yourselves. .. internal flights take 1 hour rather than 6-9 hours by road and cost around GBP60 return.
Distance-learning for Solar Cookers .. see Plans.pdf here
We need all volunteers to study these plans. A full demonstration will be given to your host and you can assist with training in simple construction and use of the Solar "slow-cookers", under the guidance of SCI (Nairobi). SCI Archive site here
Points to note :
* Woman need to be trained since women do most of the cooking
* We must gain the attention of the elders of each community, for people to follow
* We must be sensitive to how they cook and how solar cooking may affect taste so men need to be involved, since they also may pay for the cooker / build the cooker, and will most definitely eat the food
* For those that rely on gathered firewood instead of purchased wood or charcoal, women and girls usually do most of the fuel collecting. Time saved by women and girls gathering firewood must be given a recognized value, as time to earn money building and re-selling cookers, baking cakes for example.
* Less firewood is needed so solar cooking is saving the forests - Forests mean rain, crops, livestock…money.
* Lack of smoke and soot is essential to lung health for cooks and children.
* Benefits of cookers for pasteurizing milk and water.
* Free to use because the sun's power is great enough to cook their food !
* Women and children can make extra money by using solar cooking to bake birthday cakes.
The Solar Cooking project continues to grow, please read the page on the SCI Wiki dedicated to Kenya. Especially this.
We can pass on details of SafeMed medical insurance. This is a package discounted for AVIF Volunteers though you may find that your travel insurance covers most of this anyway. We also recommend taking out Flying Doctor membership (please see Join Us > Safety section on website).
For all those not already informed please see the website section on Development Education, especially if you are a UK trainee teacher.Preparing for volunteering, volunteering itself and reflecting on the experience on your return are all likely to impact on your teaching.
We are now working with MASTA. They have an online shop for travel goods. MASTA's free travel health guide is available from the website.
Please send in AVIF Medical Forms if you have not already done so. Without these your place is not confirmed.
AVIF are supporting www.mannarelief.org with glyconutrient distribution. Nick & Charlie have just delivered 6 months supply, please help with distribution (i.e. make sure the girls aren't eating the supplements like sweets !) Glyconutrients are not vitamins, minerals, amino acids or enzymes, but are in a class of their own as nutritional supplement "sugars".
Itinerary as per website :
25 July arrival at JKIA, Nairobi & Gracia Guest House
Orientation 26 July with Sharon at the Gracia
Return flights to Kisumu (book through www.fly540.com 8am NBO-KISUMU-NBO) 26/27 July
4 week programme 27 July to 24 August
Return flight to Nairobi / NBO-Mara for Safari rendezvous / own plans/ home 27 Aug
Maasai Mara Safari 25-28/30 Aug
NB. Safari is optional ~ itinerary on JOIN US > Safari section
Please try to contact your respective airlines and ask for a charitable baggage allowance if you are bringing over classroom items. Normally airlines are happy to help. I can provide confirmation if necessary, or else pass on my details. Try to bring only group items to avoid diasppointment e.g. 10 sets of pads and pens cannot be shared around 30 children very fairly.
Sharon or a representative of AVIF will meet you at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. On the occasion of delays, please make a note of the following. Only the most experienced African travellers can resist the temptations of Nairobi's taxi touts !!!
Gracia Guest House address : off Ring Road, Kilimani Road, behind the Ya Ya Centre/ Mall, in Hurlingham area. The Gracia is a very clean, pleasant, quiet place with excellent hospitality.
Gracia Guest House, taxi fare should be absolutely no more than Ksh1200 per person.
The price for a twin room (cost shared between 2 sharing) is Ksh4250 / USD$ 62. A single is Ksh3250 .. these are extremely reasonable prices for central, secure Nairobi. We can arrange budget accommodation elsewhere but cannot guarantee your safety.
Should you require a Letter of Invitation for your TOURIST visas please let me know, they are not essential providing you give your hosts address.
Regarding educational posters, there is an instructions poster here should you wish to take some with you http://www.fourthway.co.uk/posters/pages/cover.html
Can you all please make sure you are subscribed to the Blog as updates are published there and act as an archive for information. If you subscribe (most of you should already be) you will get sent the updates every time I write something.
We were wondering if any of you wanted to plan a classroom painting day with your hosts. Paint is very cheap and as you will see walls can be very bare. Please consider this activity. It would of course involve the children in a fantastic lasting project. You can make arrangements on arrival with your hosts.
Don't forget high-power batteries for digital cameras etc. The standard AA types in Maseno sometimes aren't powerful enough to work with digital cameras.
