Introduction
Kenya Masai-Original Volunteers Programme is registered by the government under the Social services Department as community based organization operating within the Olasiti, Nairronde, Ilkilorit and Olmeroi areas of Maasailand at Ngong Hills, approximately 50, 60, 65 kilometers west of Nairobi respectively. We connect people world-wide with opportunities to serve, build the capacity o
f organizations to effectively involve volunteers, promote volunteerism, and to provide leadership in strategic initiatives related to volunteerism. Education of Female Children
The main purpose of this project is to encourage education of the Maasai girl child and make community members especially women gain confidence that they are the prime movers of their own destiny and they are the major forces in dealing with the issues that confront them. Currently, 80% of Maasai girls are circumcised and married off before they reach the age of 12 years. We are fully committed towards the promotion of education for Maasai children. Funds will be used to hold various workshops the importance of educating the girl child, the dangers of Female Ge***al Mutilation, the importance of women in resource ownership and management and HIV/AIDS workshops. Provision of Clean Water
Not only clean water is a prerequisite for the community’s health but generally water. The absence of adequate water supply imposes an enormous threat to the entire community. The project will seek donors to help in drilling of wells where necessary or distribute the spring water to the people around it. The project will also organize the community to plant drought tolerant plants, build gabions and trees and around the water holes and dams. These plants will serve as a natural and effective means of preventing future soil erosion. Community Based Healthcare
Community based healthcare is a set of approaches which inform, involve and empower the Maasai community to make their own decisions about improving their health status. The objectives of community-based health care are to give individuals, families and community more ownership and control of their health care to enable them to accept effective and health services. The project will focus on community capacity building through development of a community health structure, and community own resource persons as well as establishing community pharmacies. The program also requires strengthening and supporting existing health systems. We will work the volunteers and community to strengthen the provision and utilization of health services. The project will seek the support of donors and well-wishers to construct a community clinic as there are inadequate health facilities in the area. HIV/AIDS Awareness Creation: The Maasai community is yet been fully sensitized and educated about HIV/AIDS. As a result of upcoming urban centers, there has been a proliferation of bars and nightclubs in nearby region and this has attracted influences that can easily cause a spread of AIDS. Furthermore, the Maasai themselves still practice outdated cultural practices such as polygamy, circumcising the youths sometimes using the same knife to cut several initiates and general lax sexual behaviors. They need to be educated about AIDS otherwise; it will be a big crisis in future. Environment and Wildlife Preservation
The Maasai have always co-existed well with wildlife and preserved their environment. However due to population growth, the project will initiate measures in liaison with the community that will culminate in better environmental conservation for the benefit of the community, wildlife and livestock. Feeding Programme
The project will also want to see that none of the Maasai children in Kenya will have to go to bed hungry because of their families have nothing to feed them. More than one million people Nationwide are chronically hungry. This will mean that every 24 hours 50,000 children die of hunger or hunger related diseases. When most people are confronted with this reality, they feel overwhelmed to a point of not doing anything and they quickly conclude that there is no way to help such a big number. We believe that saving even one life is worthwhile. Three out of every ten children in Maasai community suffer from hunger and poor nutrition. Half of these children will die of hunger related diseases. Keeping in mind that food is the top priority in our lives, it is sad that thousands of children go hungry every day, not knowing where or when their next meal will come from. Many of the children in Pre-school, Nursery and Primary Schools we support receive only one midday meal which we provide for them each day (Monday-Friday). Thanks a lot to volunteers who have been of great help in this project. Maasai School Sponsorship Programme
Through the help of volunteers, we have continued to sponsor a number of Maasai children in Nursery and Primary Schools and we want to do the same in Colleges and Vocational Trainings. Advocating for rights of under aged Maasai girls protecting them from sexual mutilation and forced marriages is our major priority in this project. It costs $20 US per month to sponsor a child in both Nursery and Primary Schools, $60 US in Secondary and 100 US $ in College. We work to promote education at a number of Maasai Schools. Who pays for Maasai Schools? Kenya state funding pays for the teachers at Maasai Schools, but the parents have to pay for books, paper, pencils, and sometimes the buildings too. DESCRIPTION OF INDIVIDUAL PROJECT
1. Programme & Duration
Girl Child Education
We are fully committed towards the promotion of education for Maasai children more especially girls who are more affected by negative cultural practices such as Female Ge***al Mutilation as it is the greatest challenge towards enhancing girl child education and we aim to sensitize the community against this practice in the following ways: hold various workshops on various on the importance of educating the girl child
Program Name: Teaching
Program Length: 2 weeks - 6 months
Requirements: Teaching/Arts qualifications/students for Secondary School. Primary School is open to all, subject to fluency in English.
2. Women empowerment
Program Name: Women Cooperative (OMWA- Olasiti Matonyok Women Association)
Program Length: 1 - 6 months
Requirements: no experience and advantageous for Gender Equality work. Maasai Bead Work and Ornaments: The project will seek to help Maasai women to make and market traditional beaded jewelry and use the proceeds of the jewelry sales for sending their children to school as well as feed other dependents. The women make variety of ornaments and artifacts though the market is limited. We will seek the market both locally and abroad.
3. Provision of Clean Water
Program Name: Medical
Program Length: 1 - 6 months
Requirements: No experience required
Not only clean water is a prerequisite for the community’s health but generally water. The project will seek donors to help in drilling of wells where necessary and distribute the spring water to the people around it.
4. Community Based Healthcare
Program Name: Medical
Program Length: 1 - 6 months
Requirements: Medical background (students/professionals) for medical work. Experience advantageous for Gender Equality work
Community based health care is a set of approaches which inform, involve and empower the Maasai community to make their own decisions about improving their health status. This Project will work the volunteers and community to strengthen the provision and utilization of health services. The project will seek the support of donors and well-wishers to construct a community clinic as there are inadequate health facilities in the area.
5. HIV/AIDS Awareness Creation Medical
Program Name: Medical
Program Length: 1 - 6 months
Requirements: No experience required. The Maasai community is yet been fully sensitized and educated about HIV/AIDS. They need to be educated about AIDS otherwise; it will be a big crisis in future.
6. Environment and Wildlife Preservation
Program Name: Environmental Conservation
Program Length: 1 - 6 months
Requirements: No skills required, but experience in conservation work an asset. The Maasai have always co-existed well with wildlife and preserved their environment. We will also organize the community to plant drought tolerant plants, build gabions and trees and around the water holes and dams. These plants will serve as a natural and effective means of preventing future soil erosion.
7. Community Development
Program Name: Community Development
Program Length: 1 - 6 months
Requirements: Engineering (professionals/students) for substantial developments; People with building and development skills for minor projects. Feeding program
Food security is the only way reduce hanger in Maasiland, thus we are introducing agricultural green houses in Olasiti region and its environs. Volunteers will help us set up a field where cropping will be done Underground piping is required to connect the main pipe to the tank. Agriculture will be done through running water and sprinklers. Other projects include;
School and Church projects (Needs fundraising)
Volunteers can fundraise towards one of these projects. Any amount raised is useful. o Building toilet for Schools pre-schools
o Building a playground for children
o Planting trees (possible only after rain or in rainy season)
o Repairing church offices, door repair, tables, chairs
o Fund raising to collect money for finishing the schools Libraries
o Painting the classrooms
o Teaching in primary school (starting from September till august)
o Teaching in secondary school - Only professionals
Orphanage project; we are coming up with the first and the biggest orphanage in Maasai land. Volunteers are needed to help in this project. Volunteer Masai Teaching Program in Kenya
Volunteering in Masai Lands in Kenya, Kenya Masai-Original Volunteers offers a unique opportunity to teach, medical, community development, Culture, Environmental Conservation among others in Masai Community in Kenya. Teaching in the Masai Areas is a unique experience in itself. Volunteers work in community schools and teach subjects such as English, Maths, General knowledge, Geography and Sciences. The schools in Kenya are open for the following months/terms – January –March, May-July and September – November. During the breaks in between volunteers teach children in the extra classes and tutorials. All the volunteers joining these programs live with the Masai host families where they learn the traditional way of living and Masai culture. The project is highly recommended for volunteers who love working outdoors and are looking to get an experience of the life of the traditional Masai people. During the free time and on weekends, volunteers can travel to the volunteer’s home in Masailand and meet with other volunteers to make travel plans and go on Safaris. Program Requirements
Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the beginning of the program, and if below, should be accompanied by a parent or guidance. Volunteers do not need to be a qualified teacher to join or any other these programs, except for Medical volunteering where experience or certificates must be shown to the Ministry of Health in Ngong. You need to be completely fit, healthy and prepared to live in a rural environment. Project Location
Volunteer Projects are located in the Masai Villages of Olasiti, Naironde and Olosho-Oibor which are located at a distance of 18 kilometers from Ngong town, Ilkilorit and Olmeroi which are located at a distance of 50 kilometers from Ngong town whereby Ngong is a 50 minute drive from Nairobi. Volunteers travel to Ngong to get access to ATM’s, internet café and for grocery shopping. Volunteers are also provided placement in Nkiito region which is located in Rift Valley Province of Kenya., Nkiito is in Kajiado District, Rift Valley Province of Kenya. It 1 hour 45 minutes from Nairobi town on a rough road and it is 2 hours away from Ngong on public transport. During your Free Time
During their free time or on the weekends, volunteers just relax or choose to go to Ngong, Karen or Nairobi.Volunteers can make travel plans and go on Safaris for 3 to 5 daysstarting on one of the Fridays. What we provide
Airport Receive/ Transfer: You will be met by our representative at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi from where you are transferred to the accommodations in Maasai Land (If it’s raining, you will be required to pay for the room at Ngong town at approx. £ 10). Volunteers who will be already in Kenya or arriving overland would need to give us their contact details so that the pickup can be arranged from a specific location. Orientation: On arrival in Nairobi, volunteers will be given orientation and guidelines about safety, customs and their project by the coordinator or by a representative. Lodging: Volunteer Accommodations are provided with a local Masai host family. By staying in a family you will get to know their customs, traditions, way of living, food etc. Volunteers should note that the living conditions are basic with no running water or electricity. Some of the homes have got solar panels installed for electricity. Volunteers need to carry a sleeping bag with them. Food: 3 meals will be provided in this project depending on accommodation type. Typical meals include Ugali, Chapatti, Chai (Tea), Bread and rice with vegetables. Volunteers can buy large bottles of bottled water in Nairobi and in Ngong on weekends or before joining the project. Insurance: Volunteers have the option to purchase Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from Original Volunteers. In-country support: 24 hours support provided by our local staff. You will be provided with the contact details of the local coordinator and staff that will be contactable 24 hrs. once you are in country. Language & Orientation Week - Kenya
The first week of the volunteer program begins with the orientation week that includes language and cultural training to assist you in becoming comfortable and confident in your new surroundings. This program starts on 1st&16thof the month and is for 3 days. The program aims to give you true insight about Kenya, its culture, basic language, food, places to visit and things to do while you would spend your time in Kenya. The program is held in Olasiti with some travels to Ngong and Nairobi the capital of Kenya. While on these programs the volunteers would stay at the Volunteer’s house arranged bythe Coordinator with the help of the community members. Day 1: Arrival & welcome to Kenya.
-- Brief information session about accommodation and the surrounding areas, plan for the day and remainder of orientation.
-- Visit to the project
Initial orientation and covering of safety issues about the country, Nairobi cityand project areas
--Geography and climate
--Languages used
--History and Politics
--Development
--Religion
--People, culture, customs; dos and don’ts
--Laws
--Health (HIV prevalence, common ailments, waterborne diseases etc.)
--Transport
--Safety and security;
--Not displaying wealth, not carrying unnecessary valuables/cash
--Care with mobiles
--Muggings, public transport
--Safety guidelines
--Health and well-being
--Language training – Basic
Afternoon Session: -
-- Cultural visit to Masai Villages and seeing giraffes
Day 2: Morning session
Other issues covered on this day include:-
--Money (how to use the local currency, denominations etc.) Afternoon session: Tour of Ngong
--Purchase of sim cards & shopping
--A tour of popular shopping malls
--Volunteers will be assisted to explore the local areas and the market in the afternoon. Day 3: -Nairobi
--A tour of popular shopping malls
--Volunteers will be assisted to explore thecity areas. ORIENTATION & AIRPORT PICK UP FEE:
-- Orientation & Airport pick up Fee is£100
NB: The fee will accommodate for:
-- Transfer fee from the family to host family
-- Transport fee from Host family to Ngong town& to Nairobi- to and fro
-- In-service support
Note: All entry fees to any place of sightseeing needs to be paid by the volunteer. SAFARI
Volunteers who wish to go on Safari, we do organize and arrange for safari which is much cheaper than a volunteers booking for him/her. For Example: For 2 weeks volunteering programme (=14 days +3 or 4 days or Safari=17/18 days)
3 Days = US $ 390
4 Days = US $ 520
5 Days = US $ 520
Any other information concerning the Safari will be provided by the Tour Company whom we negotiated for these prices. All safari will be arranged whilst you are here. N/B: This is not part of the Community development or activity; we organize for cheaper since volunteers are not tourist. To avoid exploitation of volunteers, this information should be given to volunteers who wish to go to safari before they come to Kenya. All the best and have a wonderful time and a safe journey to Kenya. Regards,
Daniel Pariken
Thanks a lot and all the best.
