Kenya: BADILISHA ECO VILLAGE

About the local hosting organization

Badilisha Eco Village is a community-driven organization and model farm located on Rusinga Island in Homa Bay County, Kenya. Founded in 2008, the project uses the word "Badilisha" (Swahili for "change" or "transformation") to spearhead environmental regeneration and holistic community development. It acts as an educational epicenter centered entirely around the principles and ethics of permaculture: Earth Care, People Care, and Fair Share (Share of Surplus) Core Mission & Community Programs The ecosystem of Rusinga Island faces substantial environmental and socio-economic hurdles, including severe deforestation, food insecurity, soil degradation, and high local health vulnerabilities like HIV/AIDS and malaria. Badilisha targets these vulnerabilities through overlapping community-led programs: • Permaculture & Agroforestry Training: They operate a resource center and a demonstration plot showcasing sustainable agriculture. Local farmers learn techniques to prevent soil erosion and grow diverse organic food crops like sorghum, millet, pigeon peas, and local vegetables • Environmental Reforestation: Badilisha runs a tree nursery and leads a major vanguard initiative to restore and conserve the nearby Ligongo Hill, combating regional environmental decay • Social & Economic Empowerment: The foundation hosts non-violent communication campaigns, youth digital literacy through computer trainings, and active women's empowerment initiatives

Presentation of the programme

Volunteers at Badilisha Eco Village become an active part of daily community life. Because the organization spans sustainable farming, environmental conservation, and social welfare, tasks are highly varied and hands-on. The primary responsibilities for volunteers typically include: • Permaculture & Farm Work: Engaging in daily agricultural tasks on the demonstration farm, including digging, planting crops, weeding, slashing, mulching, making organic manure, and clearing bushe • Environmental & Soil Conservation: Preparing tree nurseries, distributing seedlings to local families, planting trees in community areas, and helping build earthworks to control soil erosion on Rusinga Hill and Ligongo Hill • Community Outreach & Homestead Care: Assisting elderly, vulnerable, or sick community members directly in their homes with general cleaning, doing laundry, and washing dishes • Childcare & Education: Spending time with local children at the on-site primary school, assisting with educational activities, playing games, and supporting the children's daily breakfast program

About the accomodation

Accommodation will be at a host house in shared rooms and it is important that you have your own sleeping bag and mosquito net. During the workcamp, volunteers will get food from locally available foodstuffs and will share the responsibility of preparing the food.

About the location

During their free time, volunteers at Badilisha Eco Village have unique opportunities to explore Rusinga Island, dive into local Luo culture, and experience Western Kenya's natural beauty. Popular activities for volunteers during weekends and evenings include: • Lake Victoria Boat Tours & Swimming • Hiking & Birdwatching • Cultural & Language Exchange: • Exploring the Tom Mboya Mausoleum: • Wildlife Safaris: