KENYA VOLUNTARY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

MID/LONG TERM PROGRAMMES 2005-2006

Project 2:14 KENYA INSTITUTE OF ORGANIC FARMING {K.I.O.F}

Name / Location of the Project

Kenya Institute of Organic Farming is located near Juja Town on the outskirts of Nairobi a 40min journey of about 30km along the Nairobi-Thika Road. It is situated toward the eastern part from the Nairobi City. It is in Central Province, Kiambu District and Thika the nearest town {about10kms}.

Project Description

K.IO.F. is an organic farming training and demonstration institution with boarding students and has community-outreach / training programmes which include gardening, teaching students and farmers within the community, Extension work {rural\community talks} and working closely with the community are part of its undertakings.

Type Of Work / Job

Volunteer(s) placed at the institution will be involved in community fieldwork and follow-up visits on community farms.

Skills Requirement

Social work knowledge and skills and / or experience.
Knowledge and skills and/or experience in agriculture.
Readiness to be involved in community empowerment
One with agricultural training skills will be an added advantage.

Duration

O-3,O-6 Months for Mid-Term volunteers and over 6-12 months for Long-Term volunteers.

Basic Facts

Upon arrival to Kenya, an orientation session / preparation seminar will be offered. Transport to and from the project, food and accommodation arrangements will be taken care of by KVDA.

Climatic Conditions
Environment - characterized by the equatorial type of climate
The area is relatively warm/cool with the coldest months experienced in July and August. The wet seasons are normally in April and May and are generally warm. Olkalau is chilly especially in the morning.
Temperatures range between 20 - 30 degrees Centigrade though there are slight variations depending on the season.
The area is about 1750m above the sea level.

Other facts

The type of accommodation offered is private with meals. Electricity is available and incase of fieldwork, lanterns will be provided.
Apart from the main centre, which is Juja, there are other two-placement centre in Maragua, 80kms and Olkalau, 150kms from Juja respectively. Communication services are diverse and reliable. For many options in communication, transport and shopping possibilities, the following centers may be useful: a) Thika Town - 10km from Juja b) Maragua centre c) Olkalau d) Nairobi City - 30km from Juja. In these centers transport and medical services are reliable.
The contact person is Mr. John Njoroge

Number of Volunteers Required

A maximum of {6} six from January to December at any open time. Volunteers must start serving in the project at the given time. Volunteers must start serving in the project at the given time either on the beginning or middle of the month.