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Volunteer opportunity in Kenya
Related to this project: Airborne to Volunteer
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Volunteer OPPORTUNITY in Kenya [delete]
Our mission is to give the real hope to as many needy children as possible and to work with small communities to provide the support and education needed to overcome the burden of poverty.
LOCATION: Nairobi, Kenya
The center is located in Nairobi Kenya.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
We have volunteer opportunities which do not require specialized skills (although these would be an advantage), and we accept volunteers for both short and long-term placements, all the year round. Volunteers certainly gain an amazing life experience from their participation in our placement program.

Activities at the center include those on the list below. On first arrival, volunteers sample activities before selecting the tasks that suit them best.

Children’s Education – To provide educational and training opportunities, food and basic living essentials for as many orphans as possible.

Orphanage Program – To house orphans in a safe environment, either at the orphanage or with guardians. To support foster parents and caretakers through an established network.
HIV/AIDS Prevention Education – Volunteers help train home-based caregivers who raise awareness of HIV/AIDS issues in the community and take steps to prevent infection.

Sustainable Agriculture, Crop and Animal husbandry – To alleviate malnutrition, hunger and poverty by working within communities.

To increase environmental awareness within the community so as to enable them to protect, preserve and promote their surroundings.

Building and Construction – At times, construction projects are needed. Please ask about these opportunities when applying.

Sanitary Towel Project – to help girls realize their right to education. We do this by providing free sanitary products to under- privileged girls, offering them health and hygiene education and empower them to overcome the stigmas attached to their menstruation cycle.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?
Anyone over the age of 18 who wants to spend time helping children in an orphanage and poor communities in a rural Kenyan village. No specialist skills or qualifications are required, but volunteers should have some interest in working with children.

ACCOMMODATION
Volunteers are typically placed with local/host families who live in the area, or at the orphanage or in a shared house with other volunteers. Food is provided as part of the program fee

August 12, 2009 | 1:58 AM Comments  0 comments
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New LIght Youth Association cleans up the environment
About this commitment: Promote environmental awareness
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

New Light Youth Association Clears Garbage from Nairobi River
July 12, 2009


On July 12, volunteers with the New Light Youth Association cleared trash from a 300-meter length of the Nairobi River. Accumulated garbage had formed islands in some parts of the river during its 18-kilometre course through the nation's capital. This clean-up campaign has attracted dozens of partner agencies, hundreds of volunteers, and various government offices to pool their efforts to restore this landmark feature that cuts across Kenya's capital city.
The Nairobi River is considered to be unifying factor within the Nairobi province. It flows through and serves all the constituencies. Unfortunately, poverty, ignorance, and general mismanagement has made the river, which was once the pride of Nairobi, a disgrace. It is littered with all kinds of environmentally hazardous substances as well as raw sewage from the communities living along its banks. The Nairobi River network touches all of the notorious Nairobi slums.
Cleaning up the Nairobi River was chosen as as the best and most effective way to make a social impact for the Global Peace Festival August 29 to 31. It is also a priority of the United Nations Environment Program.
As a build-up to the major cleaning scheduled for August 29, an initial project was planned for July 12. To this end, a committee of young people from 12 strategic partners representing all sectors of the society was constituted one month in advance. The clean up location was identified, and preparations were begun to make the day a success. Three main issues had to be addressed: mobilizing participants, legal issues, and raising funds.
It was decided to focus on mobilizing people from eight constituencies:
Dagoretti
Kamukunji
Starehe
Kasarani
Langata
Embakasi
Makadara
Each committee member generated support within his or her networks. Various schools, colleges, churches, and business communities within and around the cleanup areas were also earmarked as mobilization points. Letters and calls were made to offices whose participation was essential. The city administration, the administrative police from the office of the President, and government ministries were also contacted. Dignitaries were invited for the launch of the activities at 8:00 am, with work expected to continue until 1:30 pm.
The day dawned bright and warm. People showed up as early as 7:00 am ready to begin cleaning. They came from youth groups, women's groups, churches, businesses, and the general public. Tools, gloves, and cleaning equipment were distributed as people arrived. T-shirts with the New Light Youth Association logo were handed out. Even the parking boys were excited about the project and willingly joined the crowds of people as the cleaning progressed.
The clean up took place in three locations in the city along the Nairobi River. Division of labour made the work easier and more effective. Some people removed the various impediments while others cleared the banks of the river. Even more people carted the debris to collection points where they were bagged and loaded into the disposal trucks donated by the city council. In addition, hundreds of tree seedlings were planted along the river banks to prevent erosion.
Loudspeakers played music to attract onlookers to join in the cleaning. The master of ceremonies made jokes to entertain the masses of people as they carried out their tasks. All in all, everyone was in a jovial mood.
Thirty-five community groups were partners in the project, and more than a thousand people participated in the clean up. The project was a success considering the short amount of time and various challenges that confronted the organizing committee. New Light Youth Association has adopted several portions of the river in order to guarantee a lasting impact of the project, an idea that was introduced to us by the Ministry of Environment.
Several partners played key roles:
The Kenya Administrative Police, joined us, along with more than 300 cadets from the Rift Valley Academy located 200 kilometres away in the small town of Naivasha. Their headquarters is located in the western part of Nairobi along one of the river's tributaries. Students from neighbouring schools joined in, most notably from Pendoria School, the Indian high school, which brought hundreds of its students.
The Nairobi City Council and the Ministry of the Environment were very supportive. The mayor was represented and his office provided thousands of cleaning tools, two bulldozers, and a garbage truck for use on that day. The police provided security throughout the day.
Another committed partner is the Mathare Youth Sport Association (MYSA), which provided tools and other supplies, including 300 wheelbarrows. MYSA is a community-based organization that brings together thousands of Mathare slum dwellers to creatively deal with real life issues. They have several activities that involve young people, including sports, clean up, education, rehabilitation, and vocational training.
Kenya Veterans for Peace, an organization formed following the inter-ethnic fighting that rocked Kenya earlier this year, These men and women who formerly served in the armed forces work together to educate and help troubled communities overcome stigmas and the turmoil s of recent months. They provided 300 personnel for the clean up.
We wish to express our gratitude to these partners and the many other community partners who offered valuable assistance in this project:
Dream of African Talents Africa Sakata Acrobats
Vision Theatre Group
Ministry of Youth Affairs-Embakasi Division
Inua Vijana Resource Centre
Mukuru Youth Association
Wilderness Youth Group-Majengo
Highrise Rovers F.C
Changes Rovers Crew
United College Youth Club
Kenya Slum Youth Development Organization
Trees for Clean Energy Network
Kenya Kids-Help
Young Volunteers Forum
Solid Rock Youth Foundation
Sun City Youth HIV/AIDS Program
Kenya Youth Focus Forum
Nairobi Eastlands Youth Rehabilitation program, Youth for Habitat
Slum Girl Empowerment
Maisha Young Ladies
Black Marimba
African Rhythm
MC Unit
Slum Code
Youth Empowerment Systems
Vision Theatre Annex
Baba Dogo Youth Consortium
Gusii Youths United Against HIV/AIDS and Drug Abuse
Global Community Movement
Fountain for Peace
Youth for Peace and Development (and NYPP)
Students for Peace and Initiative

August 11, 2009 | 2:52 AM Comments  0 comments
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Slap Ban On Corrupt Leaders
Related to country: Kenya
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

The United States plans to impose sanctions on individual Kenyans who have been implicated in corruption to help end the vice and fight impunity, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Thursday. Speaking at the University of Nairobi during an open forum, Mrs Clinton said blanket sanction would not apply as President Obama administration would continue to give aid to the civil society and non-governmental organisation.

She, at the same time, insisted that US would not interfere with the running of Kenya coalition government. Apart from piling pressure on the coalition government, Mrs Clinton said there was very little the US could do to influence the political situation.

The US cannot solve Kenya problems we cannot dictate to you how to run this government. It is not up to Kenyans, she said While responding to questions from the audience, Ms Clinton avoided direct reprimands to the coalition government, instead, pledging to help the civil society to change the regime. She seemed to have bought into the government decision to go for the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission, despite calls by many Kenyans to press for the fight against impunity.

But even though the US is not a signatory to the Rome Statute that formed the International Criminal Court (ICC), she told Kenya not to allow the post-election violence matter to get out of hand. Fighting impunity is like a rite of passage... the only road forward.

Mrs Clinton said the call for accountability was much harder to implement than the police and judicial reforms proposed by the government. However, as she conceded America near-helplessness, Mrs Clinton urged the civil society to keep pushing for reforms work for a President who believes in hope,she said.

One participant, Mr Joshua Nyamori, had asked the US Secretary of State about her impression of the political will regarding the implementation of the reform agenda. There are people within the leadership who understand the necessity of these reforms. Whether they be successful or not is still up in the air, she replied.

But, Mrs Clinton avoided mentioning names, perhaps understanding the political impact such a move could have on the fragile coalition arrangement. Terming Kenya as a very political country where everybody has a political opinion Mrs Clinton asked those in the civil society to join politics and try to change the system from within.

Her call against corruption in government continued, though this time she asked the youths to use new platforms like Twitter and Face book to protest against corruption, as opposed to the often bloody street demonstrations. The open forum that lasted 90 minutes was moderated by journalists Fareed Zakaria (News Week columnist) and Beatrice Marshal (KTN).

Meanwhile, Mrs Clinton said the US would impose sanctions on the countries funding terrorist organisations in Somalia. She termed as a tragedy the many refugees holed up in camps in Northern Kenya and Nairobi.There is a lot that Kenyans have to worry about, she said.

August 10, 2009 | 3:18 AM Comments  0 comments
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Integrity in the moment of choice
Related to country: Kenya
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Every single decision we make involves making a choice. We decide what car/house/shoes/phone to buy based on our tastes, what people say and other details that we evaluate, and then we make a choice. If you are like me, sometimes we make the wrong choices, and afterwords we silently wonder, how could i have made a better choice back then, instead of learning these lessons the hard way??

It's therefore not suprising that the most interesting thought i've recently had is on navigating life's journey, i.e how are you are going to reach your preffered destination in life without getting lost along the way? I suppose that this is very much so determined by the choices you make, the decisions that follow those choices, which eventually lead you down a path that is uniquely yours.

So what happens when we make the wrong choices? Think about the following situations: 1. Should i pay this creditor or buy additional time so that i can use the money i have now and pay my debt later? 2. Should i hire this employee or the other one i just interviewed before this one, both were impressive during interviews? 3. I'm so tired, should i go to church or relax at home this sunday?

If in the first case, if you dont pay the creditor on time, you most probably will end up losing their trust(or creditworthyness) and possible future business, though you gain temparary flexibility on your spending that you so desparately want.

In the second case, you might, for example, end up with a knuclehead employee, in other words,a "kichwa ngumu", who was just smiling in the interview because he/she needs a job and knows he/she is more than qualified for it, or you could end up with a team player who could one day become your successor or future.

In the last case, you could relax at home but probably feel guilty thereafter for not going to Church, or you could go to church a tired basket case.

As you can see, sometimes you cannot easily tell a right or wrong decision. A correct decision, from my thinking, is what sits right with you. So how do you make the correct choices? I know sometimes we make all the wrong choices despite knowing that we shouldnt, question is, do you feel good after making a wrong choice? One word comes to mind:

INTEGRITY.

You can look at the choices you make, as a plate of food; and integrity, as your pinch of salt. The best food in the world isn't worth much,if it doesnt have taste. You can't be happy about making a decision, even though all your friends or business partners think its ok, unless it sits right with you. The choices you make, so to speak, have to have some salt in them.

what's my point?

Involve 'integrity' when making your choices. Ask yourself: Is this choice right with ME? MAKE IT! I know i should do this....or say this...?DO IT, SAY IT. I shouldn't (put bad habit here) but i just...NO! no buts, JUST DON'T DO IT.In the morning, make the right choice and wake up early. You know you HAVE TO. Keep your promises, you know you can easily DO. And so on.

That's integrity in the moment of choice.

Start with the simplest of choices you make every day, then move on to the bigger choices. In the end you might find that Excellence is not that far off. Deep down, you know what the right choice is. Make it TODAY.

August 1, 2009 | 3:36 AM Comments  2 comments
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LEARN WHILE YOU TRAVEL
Related to country: Kenya
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Learn While You Travel


INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS IN KENYA

OBJECTIVES:



The international volunteer programs of NEW LIGHT YOUTH ASSOCIATION are intended to provide opportunities for visiting friends from abroad to see Kenya and learn about its people and their concerns while travelling. They help enrich the outlook of those whom they meet and in turn develop a better understanding of these new friends. This way each one is an ambassador of peace and international understanding. During the last decade nearly two thousand volunteers have visited Kenya this way, from North America, Europe, Australia, Japan and other parts of Asia.


PLANNING YOUR PROGRAM:


Programs run all year around in different parts of the country. An individual schedule is devised for each person or group to meet their needs. Arrangements need to be made at least 30 days in advance of arrival in Kenya in order to plan properly. There is a minimum one-month's commitment with NELYAS programs. If possible, a commitment of at least three months duration will make for a more complete and satisfying experience and are required for long term placements.



LONG TERM PLACEMENTS:
These entail a more in-depth involvement in the work of the sponsoring organizations. While this work may be similar to that of the shorter-term camps, the focus may be more specialized. Volunteers can get involved with editing and publishing or the organization of projects. People with medical backgrounds can be placed at medical centers. Those wishing to work with children can stay at a school or home for children and teach English. They should be prepared to learn some basic Swahili language, preferably before they leave for Kenya.


SHORT TERM PROJECTS:

Participation in work camps in Kenyan villages: These programs involve work with villagers on such activities as sanitation projects, building construction, agricultural work and environmental improvement programs, literacy and women's welfare, health projects including use of local herbal medicine, environmental awareness campaigns etc. These programs are with non-governmental organizations devoted to the welfare of Kenyan villagers. (Programs are one to four weeks long). Other activities for short-term projects include the following: Helping in the administrative office in Nairobi doing office work and helping other local programs. Preparing and attending conferences on development, disasters and environmental issues. Taking part in environmentally oriented treks in specific areas. Participation in Yoga, meditation and natural health care training programs.


GROUPS:

Special programs for groups of volunteers can be put together with sufficient advance notice. This is particularly useful for college or university student groups for whom academic assistants can be provided in Kenya.


ORIENTATION:

It is necessary that the volunteers participate in an orientation program upon their arrival in Kenya. This way, they will have an opportunity to become acquainted with safe, low cost ways of living and getting around within Nairobi, while being introduced to the Kenyan culture. From time to time, NELYAS offers orientation programs in providing useful and practical information and helpful hints from experienced travellers.


ACCOMMODATION:

While in Kenya, volunteers may stay at a local project dormitory. Volunteers help in maintaining the facility. Accommodation in work camps is either in homes or schools or other public buildings. It is necessary to bring your own bedding. This should include a sleeping bag and a sleeping pad. Simple and fresh vegetarian food is provided on all our programs. Smoking, use of drugs and alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited. Violators will be asked to discontinue participation.


COSTS:

Participation costs are very minimal. Please understand that some of the fees are not refundable. Please discuss thoroughly with the Director before you sign up for long term placements and understand the implications of leaving a program before completing your period of commitment.


Registration Fee $ 50.00


Work camp Programs $300.00*


(Includes one Month' contribution for Room, board and administration costs, pick up at the international airport and Orientation in Kenya.)


Long-term programs $600.00*


Monthly fees for Extended stay $150.00*


(Includes 3 Month's contribution for Room, board and administration costs and pick up at the international airport and Orientation in Kenya.)

All fees have to be made to NEW LIGHT YOUTH ASSOCIATION. at least 30 days before the departure date. The initial registration fee and first month's contribution are non-refundable. Other fees are 90% refundable with 30 days notice (50% with seven days notice).

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS:

can now be made through. NEW LIGHT YOUTH ASSOCIATION and can find the best air flight prices and arrange for other travel needs. Travel costs, outside eating and hotel stays are to be borne by the volunteers themselves. Contact newlightyouthassociation@gmail.com, edwams2@yahoo.com for all your travel needs.


MEDICAL INSURANCE:

Adequate health services are available at most places in Kenya. However, individual medical insurance coverage should be obtained before leaving for Kenya.


To receive more information on Short term volunteer programs and an application form send a self addressed stamped ($0.60) envelope to:

NEW LIGHT YOUTH ASSOCIATION.
PO BOX 4686-00100 NAIROBI KENYA
Telephone .: (254) 020 2432931 254 720276865
Email: newlightyouthassociation@gmail.com






October 29, 2008 | 6:15 AM Comments  1 comments


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