KVDA is an indigenous, non-political and membership organization which is non-sectarian and non-profit making started in 1962 as a work camp organization registered under the Societies' Act. In 1993, KVDA was registered as a Non-Governmental organization by the establishment of the NGOs Coordination Act. Vision Statement of KVDA: We envisage KVDA as an organization with a large membership working towards the improvement of quality of life of the community. Mission Statement of KVDA: Mobilizing all-purpose resources to support community development initiatives. Core Values or Operating Principles · Promotion of voluntarism. · Transparency and accountability. · Participatory evaluation of projects. · Local community ownership of projects: · Continuous research and development. · Regular follow up of projects. · A learning organization. · Documentary evidence of processes and events. Strategic Objectives · Afford voluntary service opportunities to young people. · Mobilize communities to action. · Supplement formal education with experiential learning. · Create awareness amongst Kenyan communities about development issues. · Foster global peace, friendship and understanding. · Mobilizing all-purpose resources to promote grassroots development Values KVDA has a 62-year history of working to “develop against dependence“ while cultivating trust and friendships with volunteers and partner organizations all over the world. The three mandates of the organization are as follows: â–  The Association shall be a non-profit, non-governmental, non-religious and non-political Association, whose inspiration is the furtherance of peace, friendship, understanding, development, democracy and equality among peoples of different cultures and backgrounds. â–  The Association is dedicated to seeking opportunities for young men and women from diverse national, cultural and educational backgrounds to live, work and share life and experiences in order to improve their world, to provide voluntary services to marginalized communities, to acquire alternative education, to gather information and build international cooperation. â–  The Association is further dedicated to mobilizing resources within and across national borders to support community development initiatives whose aims are to eradicate poverty and human suffering as well as to promote democracy and justice among peoples

Project overview The Taita hills rise from the Southeastern Nyika Plateau. They are ancient fault-block formation stretching south to Malawi through Eastern and Southern Tanzania. They sit almost cheek-by-jowl with one of the region's recent volcanic ranges, the Chyulu Hills. The project is situated on the foot of the Sagalla Hills in Taita Taveta district in coastal part of Kenya. It is approximately 7-8 hours' drive from Nairobi. Sagalla is remembered to be a home of the first missionaries in the early 1900 and these is evident with one of the first churches in Kenya still standing strong. Project activities Gideon Mosi Primary School is a relatively new institution was founded in 1990 and it has rapidly expanded to accommodate 293 boys and girls from class 1-8. The 8 Teachers at the Gideon Mosi Primary School are employed by the Teachers Service commission and they are qualified to teach all rounds from class 1-8. In cases where the teaching staff is not adequate, the Parents and Teachers Association employs teachers for a short duration of time to help bridge the obtaining gap. Manual work and Intercultural activities: • Teaching school pupils • Physical education and life skills education • Manual work • Work with community based organizations • Visits to homesteads within the local community to share with the people their day to day activities

• Volunteers will stay within the school compound with basic living conditions. • Volunteers have an obligation to climb down the level of the people with the aim of exposure to development challenges. • KVDA will provide foodstuffs and volunteers will cook their own meals in turns. • Water is available from springs and it is recommended that drinking water should be boiled or medicated. Mineral water available at supermarkets is recommended. • The Government policy to install ICT in primary schools has seen connectivity to the national power grid for most educational institutions in Kenya and this makes it easy for volunteers to use electric appliances while at the project. • Furthermore, we invite you to bring typical food, spices, drinks, games and music from your country (for an intercultural evening) – and a lot of motivation!

Volunteer have the opportunity to visit local villages and experience cultural diversity among the legendary Taita Community located at the Kenya Coast. KVDA offers educational tours to spectacular sites of interests and we welcome volunteers interested to request through email for specific information. We look forward to welcoming you to our wonderful country Kenya.

WHAT TO CARRY: • Working clothes, light clothes during working hours and warm clothes especially during camp fire. • Gloves • Mosquito net and mosquitoes’ repellent • Musical instrument {optional} • Sleeping bag, mat and a pillow. • Torch or flash light • Water purifiers {optional}. • Personal effects {i.e. soap, toothpaste, toiletries} • National flag of your country • Meals you will prepare to be shared among the participants during the cultural nights from your country. • Donations in form of books or learning materials appropriate for Primary school children, toys, balls, e.t.c. are welcome. • Kindly note that medical donations are inappropriate. • A happy and positive attitude

THEME: Human and Wildlife conflict: There is located near the renowned Tsavo National Park, there is a tendency to have wild animals foremost elephants stray into the villages during drought in search of water, and this instigates conflict with the community members whose livestock is killed and farms destroyed by the marauding elephants.