The Center was conceived in December 2021 by Joseph Noah Alwanda who have been long-time volunteer community development worker within the locality and especially with the needy and vulnerable girls and young women whose plight touched them and without hesitation he embarked on this heart rending journey of helping these poor and marginalized group realize their rightful place in the community.

The Center’s services were actualized on 6th January, 2023 on a rented well secured and developed parcel of land with permanent structures which are used for as the administrative unit, meeting point, training class, store and toilet facility plus playground with ample space for expansion and recreation.

The establishment of the Center was necessitated by the fact that many out of school needy and vulnerable adolescent girls and young women are being forced by their predicament to stay without getting any life skills training that’d enable them get engaged in productive work and livelihood support activities and as a result of that are dependent on their male counterparts for their own existence thus rendering them vulnerable to sexual exploitation and abuse by the male. They are also forced to engage in social vices like prostitution for survival, drugs and substance abuse, early and short-lived marriages among other crimes thus curtailing their own health and future. It was based on this and the need to facilitate their access to life skills development opportunities that would enhance their acquisition of technical skills, mold and or shape them into becoming disciplined, productive and responsible adult citizens who’ll will further agitate and spearhead global aspirations of justice, equity, sustainable development and peace that this idea was conceived and initiated.

Since then we have embarked on a heart rending journey of mobilizing resources to realize our Innovation Canter’s goal of restoring hope to the hopeless out of school girls and young women by improving their access to quality life skills training opportunities and enlighten, inspire and empower them through a rich variety of activities in becoming holistic individuals prepared to face the challenges of the dynamic global village.

Possible tasks of the volunteers :

• Helping with administrative work like project coordination, secretarial, clerical, coaching, documentation including videography, assuming information management and networking roles and helping with fundraising and resource mobilization for further development of the Project ;

• Helping procure more equipment and machinery for improved efficiency and scope of the Project ;

• Participating in the production, directing and performance of various plays/drama, skits and other works ;

• Helping with farm work like tilling, planting, watering, fertilizer application, managing the apiaries (beekeeping project), managing the rice and sunflower farms cum orchard; poultry and cattle rearing projects and tree nursery ;

• Helping with schools and home visits and facilitating dialogue sessions ;

• Environmental clean-ups and conservation initiatives ;

• Mentorship program and tutelage of trainees at the tailoring unit and other demo farms ;

• Being an ambassador of the Organization and any other role that one might be interested in playing ;

• Volunteers also take part in social/communal activities and nature walks to explore and appreciate what their environment offers ;

• The volunteers participate in meal planning and budgeting, purchasing, preparation and serving and eating and cleaning/washing the utensils after use among other family chores.

Volunteers are normally hosted by selected individual host families where they automatically become members and share chores for the entire duration of their stay even as they learn local culture and etiquettes.

In rare cases, some volunteers are directed and or allowed to stay in hostels/guest houses at own expense owing to own choices.

Volunteers are accepted to the projects throughout the year without limiting their period of staying around.

Bonfires are held for volunteers whose stay periods at the project are coming to an end. Safari tours may be organized for volunteers who need them at their own cost to the various destinations.

The Organization’s catchment area has a good road and communication system and has various social amenities like hospitals, shopping centers among others
Volunteers are encouraged to buy/be in possession of smartphones and if possible WIFI in order to keep in touch with their families and friends even when they are around.

During your stay on this project food will be provided by your host family, volunteer will be provided with three meals a day (break fast, lunch and dinner), food will be prepared by the host with the help of volunteers. Most foods are locally made and fresh produced.

LMost of our free time will be spent sharing culture and friendship with local community members and the other volunteers on the project. There will be an opportunity to visit a local market, visit Kisumu for boat ride, at the lake side, hippo search, kit mikai Dunga hill camp crying stone.

You'll need to meet certain requirements, including age, health, and attitude. You'll also need a passport and visa to enter the country.

1. Age: You must be at least 18 years old (if you are below 18 years you need written consent from a guardian), or the age required by your program ;

2. Language: You should be able to speak at least basic English, or the language required by your program ;

3. Passport: You'll need a valid passport to enter Kenya ;

4. Visa: You'll need a Single Entry Visa or tourist visa to volunteer in Kenya ;

5. Travel insurance: You'll need to have travel and health insurance ;

6. Background check: You may need to provide a criminal background check report ;

7. Vaccinations: You may need to get certain vaccinations before entering Kenya ;

8. Training: You may need to participate in training provided by your organization ;

9. You should also be open-minded, flexible, and patient, and willing to step outside your comfort zone ;

10. A positive attitude towards independent progress of others.

Orientation will begin in the morning at ACoH offices and you will be picked up from the accommodation and taken to the orientation. It will be organised by ACoH staff in Nairobi and cover everything you need to know about your project placement (introduction to Kenya and luo land, luo customs, language and expectations, safety, travel opportunities in Kenya, introduction to your project and placement).

The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details.

Participation fee: 400 Euros per person (3 weeks).

The project fee or extra fee includes:

Airport pick up, airport transfer, food (3 meals a day, accommodation and host, transport from Nairobi to the project and back to Nairobi after the project, city tour, orientation, 2 days host in Nairobi on the arrival and end of the project and 24 hours Agape Centre Of Hope Office Support and project monitoring.

This Project runs all year round and is open for applications at all times.