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21 Mar 2024
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Description
Hello Workawayers...
Feel most welcome to Rusinga island, kenya. Rusinga Island, with an elongated shape approximately 10 miles (16 km) from end to end and 3 miles (5 km) at its widest point, lies in the eastern part of Lake Victoria at the mouth of the Winam Gulf. It is linked to Mbita Point on the mainland by the new Rusinga-Mbita bridge which replaced the old causeway. I'm Dan , a climate activist and environmentalist, Certified Permaculture and Syntropic agroforestry trainer and designer by the Royal Soil Syntropy of Curaçao , Netherlands. Currently, I'm running a Community project "' an organization that's registered by the Kenyan Government under Department of Social Services as a Community Based Organisation with a mission to creating a Sustainable and Resilient future for the Rusinga Island Community.
We are currently engaging in the following projects
1. Conservation and Regreening of the 5 major hills of Rusinga Island, Institutions and Community Zones;
- Rusinga Island has been a very productive site experiencing heavy rainfall that has been very beneficial to farmers within the island, hence the establishment of communities. Destruction of indigenous trees on the hills by women who depend on firewood for their livelihood has buried the dream of a forested environment for the community at large. An initiative to green five major hills in Rusinga: eLigongo, Wanyama, Nyalkinyi, Nyamatati and Kabade is something that we are currently working on. A scoping and baseline survey have been conducted at each hill site. Each hill covers approximately 100 square km totaling up to 500 square km.
The setting up of nurseries and woodlots that we are planning to is an extension of the Center project and has the potential to ensure sustainability of the initiative over the next decade towards the Kenya Forest Service realisation of Vision 2030 goals in the Forest Sector. Furthermore, realisation of strategic and environmental governance expectations and enforcement of the Forestry Act of 2005 is introduced to community members to ensure investments in the project are managed 'by the people, for the people’.
Other project components involve ongoing climate proofing of semi-arid grassland and shrubland environs that protect and enhance biodiversity, reduce Carbon loss from the topsoil, reduce soil erosion, protect existing semi-arid forested areas that form the upper catchment of local rivers/rivulets to secure a clean water supply and lastly to mitigate against the effects of natural disasters such as flooding and drought.
At a scientific level, monitoring of the state of the environment includes the utilisation of local indigenous people (residents of Rusinga Island) who participates in training programs on drylands soil protection, water conservation, tree/shrub/grass cultivation and weed control. It is envisaged that basic data be collected on north-south slope aspects, soils, rainfall, recording of the numbers of trees planted and a list of different tree species in the hillside areas. Through community ownership, the people’s intrinsic connection to the land and joint project decision-making, it is hoped that alternative livelihoods will sustain a better quality of life in the future and safeguard the local environment
2. Permaculture and Syntropic agroforestry projects
- I'm looking forward to creating a paradise on earth here at the island. In my mind there is an ecological community somewhere in the world where we grow the vegetables and fruits together and work in the soil with our hands, learn what is healthy for the body and mind, connect with nature and ourselves. There is a large community where you learn to work and communicate while paying attention in awareness and meditation, With patience, love and a desire to give from the heart. A simple place right on the ground, where you can work and dance, play, sing, study, cook, create art and travel. Advocating for Permaculture and Syntropic agroforestry Concepts through organising and Facilitating Permaculture Design Courses and syntropic agroforestry Workshops, setting up food forests in schools, hospitals, children's homes etc has been our great pleasure here. Our people must become self sustainable where they get obtain most of there needs with their own resources. We are striving to create a sustainable and regenerative sanctuary, so that all beings that come here may feel more grounded, at ease, and feel more connected to nature, and source. Sustaining ones meditative state of being is where it all starts, and thus is the foundation for creating sustainable living.
We have the deep intention to be living fully from the land , and enjoying the abundance of food and nutrition that is provided to us from Mother Earth. The land here was all cow pasture when we began stewarding it. Sustaining the wild life, and having a safe haven where all the birds/ insects/ animals can feel safe and be included in their own ecosystems is of much importance and we feel honored to be apart of helping to regenerate these abandonded lands, for all to come and flourish in the presence of the divine!
3. Football Club
- This new project on Rusinga Island is to replicate the amazing work to our mother planet. The idea is to use football as a way to engage with the younger generation and also be all inclusive in the Community. This was a fantastic success and a football club was formed. Last year 2023, the team Participated at the Annual Rusinga Island Sports Cultural and Religious Festival and managed a runners up position. This was there first time participating in this event. Hoping for the winner comes this year 2024. We are impacting them as well with the permaculture techniques and ensuring that implementation is done especially on the Kitchen garden concept at there homesteads. They participate in tree planting days, building of check-dams across the slopes, markets cleanings amongst others.
4. Non-violent Communication
- We are looking forward to having a Community where there's peace and harmony both with nature and with human. We are glad to be having the following achievements with the NVC concept;
. Creating personal relationships based on compassion and respect helping improve cooperation.
. Conflict resolutions
. Healing of the past experiences
. Copping with feelings of guilt, fear or shame
. Identification of one's own and other people's needs and how to manage them amongst others.
5. Direct child sponsorship
- Many children are forced to drop out of school early, as their parents are unable to afford ongoing school fees, or they are required to work to supplement the family's income. . 80% of the children are these orphans living with there grandparents. We are trying all we can to do what we can for them in return of them planting and taking good care of 50 trees per year in there homesteads. Children themselves are at the core of our approach to child protection. Children have rights – to safety, education and freedom from abuse, among others. When they understand those rights, children are less vulnerable to exploitation.
But more than that, when children are empowered to enjoy their rights, they can become a powerful force for change.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You will have an opportunity to interact with the local Abasuba(luo) community and our beautiful environment here. The island is home to huge range of animals, notably the birds and some monkeys. You have a chance to eat our local fish such as omena, Nile perch and tilapia.
You will be interacting with many locals, and living as we do. If you are looking for an authentic Kenyan experience during your time in our country
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We are looking for the volunteers with the following skills to help take the organization to the next level
- Permaculture and Syntropic agroforestry concept:
We are currently working on implementing the basic permaculture and Syntropic agroforestry principles especially designing from patterns to details. We want to create a better Condusive learning environment for Permaculture, Syntropic Agroforestry and peace building both with Nature and with human. We are currently on look for a volunteer who will help in taking the farm to the position where it should be. Upon construction of the Permacenter, the farm will really help in practical sessions especially during the Permaculture Design Certificate Courses. Old and new computers plus any type of Permaculture books will highly be appreciated.
We will also get organize and facilitate Permaculture workshop together
- We plan on establishing a Tree nursery so as to eliminate cost of purchasing seedlings so if you can get yourself any of these, either new or old, we will say a very big thank you
. Porting bags, shade nets, drought resistant plant seeds, wheelbarrow, camera,
- Fundraising / Grant Writing
We are focused on improving our establishing a Permaculture Resource Center fitted with different types of Permaculture and Syntropic Agroforestry books and some computers for online classes, sessions etc . We request to have a volunteer who will be responsible for writing funding proposals for the project. He/she will be responsible for sourcing for funding opportunities both local and international. He/She will report to the Executive Director. Based at the organization, volunteer will take the lead in writing grants and launch fundraising campaigns for our current programmes. Due to the size of our organisation, we do not fund salaries however we will pay the right candidate 5% commission for any grant secured up to a maximum amount to be agreed.
- Marketing / Networking
As a growing and ambitious organization, we strive to get on a fast track with all our projects. Thus we are in need of marketing and networking for our organization and our projects both locally and internationally.
- Photography and Videography
A volunteer with professional skills in Photography, filming and editing videos for organization programs . Hopefully sharing this on YouTube, develop a website and on our Facebook page would raise awareness among a larger number of people, increasing the opportunities for grants and donations.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Luo: Fluent
Swahili (Kiswahili): Intermediate
French: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
French, Portuguese
Accommodation
Volunteers whether single or couple have a specific room, where you will be provided with bed and adequate beddings. We don’t have a shower as you are probably used to in your country. So to get clean, we boil water with pans what we use as hot water to wash ourselves.
This is probably very interesting if you’ve never done it before 😇. Something else what might be new to you is our toilet. Clothes are washed by hand as we don’t have a washing machine either.
With the host family you will be encouraged to eat local African dishes which most people find quite appetising.
We provide three meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
Volunteers are free to cook and prepare meals to their standard choices, and they can give assistance in case of need and that is when you want too.
Internet:
Currently we do not have Wi-fi at our compound. Upon arrival in kenya, we recommend you purchase a safaricom line as it provides extremely superb services including internet access.
Water:
Tap water is used for washing and cooking and it’s free. For drinking it is best to buy water in the shop.
What else ...
During your free time, you will get to visit various places including
- Tom Mboya memorial home (Museum)
- Ruma National Park
- Birds island
- Takawiri beach on the nearby island
Fossils of the early man
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
WiFi connection not available
Space for parking camper vans
Parking space for any type of van for free
Can possibly accept pets
Cats and dogs
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
