WORKCAMPS

WHAT IS A WORKCAMP?

A work camp is a place where people from different races, nationalities, live and work together providing manpower/labor for a period of 3 weeks or more (depending on the nature of project) on a locally defined project organized by a host organization.
Volunteers meet socialize, exchange ideas (intercultural exchange) skills and combine energies together addressing problems and issues of concern.

During a 3 weeks experience local and international volunteers work and live with a Kenyan community group and offer their support within a project (construction of schools, water tanks, educational activities etc.). Camps are based on effective cost sharing methodologies and participatory team building which do not create dependency but instead sustainability and program continuity. Volunteers have also opportunities to know a different culture, to discover traditions and natural beauties, to implement their skills and talents.

Volunteers participate in variety of projects including. Physical work such as:

  • Construction of buildings i.e. schools, clinics, water tank, social halls bridge e.t.c
  • Rehabilitation (renovation) of rundown facilities like plastering, painting, fixing e.t.c
  • Agricultural enhancement program like weeding, planting, harvesting ploughing

Community service such as:

  • Volunteering in orphanage (children homes), homes for the aged assisting in the day-to-day running.
  • Volunteering in hospitals/clinics
  • Teaching in institutions (schools).

WHO IS A VOLUNTEER?

A volunteer is a person who inputs his energy, time, knowledge and skills without being compelled for the welfare of a particular cause.

QUALIFICATIONS /SKILLS REQUIRED

  • Must be at least 18 years and above
  • Full of energy and enthusiasm
  • Open minded and willing to enjoy simple living conditions while accommodating/respecting the Scio- economical /cultural differences
  • Flexibility is paramount
  • At least a working knowledge of English
  • Good people skills
  • A positive attitude is absolutely vital willingness to teach, be taught sensitive and Independent and have a proactive personality to planning, development and completion of projects.
  • General all rounder

WORK CAMP ACTIVITIES

This involves physical work, normally tasks takes 4 hours morning hours (before lunch) (Monday- Friday) detailed information on this is given during orientation day.

STUDY

We have selected several topics/camp themes which acts as a guide for each camp but volunteers can also come up with their own topics of interest, volunteers will explore the topics during the afternoons and the camp fires (after dinner) at times key persons/ motivational speakers are invited to explore the topics with the volunteers as well as with the host community.

CULTURAL NIGHTS

Each country represented in the camp is reserved a night whereby they present their culture we advice our volunteers to bring in something symbolic of where they come from like sample food to cook on that day, photos, clothing, music, anything that will make their night alive/interesting and most of all symbolic.

CULTURAL FESTIVAL DAY

This is done a day before the closure of the work camp, its the same as cultural night but here all volunteers work jointly and make different dishes, presentations that symbolize all cultures/tribes involved for example poems, dramas, songs, games e.t.c the host community also does the same by cooking their traditional dish, traditional dancing basically its an entertainment day everyone involved gets the best of cultural exchange its also a cum farewell party.

EXCURSIONS

This are trips organized by the host organization with volunteer in mind, this depends on the recreational activities/sites o interest in a given area/place where a volunteer is deployed.

SPORTS

For those volunteers who are sporty in the afternoon you can enjoy soccer matches with local youths/sports groups, volleyball, basketball but it all depends on the area sports facilities.

Volunteers can also rest in the afternoon, do laundry, write journals, read books, play board games volunteers are advised to carry with them board games, cards, musical instruments this comes in handy during free time when volunteer gather for a recap of each days activities. We believe volunteer are the once that make a camp so bring in with you anything that will make your 3 weeks memorable, interesting and unforgettable.

 

 

 

Our Workcamps 2009

DVA Program Schedule 2009

PROJECT COST
APPLICATION AND PROGRAM FEE

WORKCAMP FEE: € 250
INTERNSHIP FEE: € 350

PROJECT PLACEMENT FEES 2008

  • DVA is a voluntary, non-profit organization so we need to charge each volunteer a Project Placement fee.
    The fee is of € 250 and covers:

    • 1 day orientation in Nairobi
    • Transfer to and from the project location
    • Food and accommodation during the camp
    • Certificates of participation
    • Contribution to office administration.
    • Solidarity fund for local volunteers and community projects

    PAYMENT CONDITIONS

50 Euros is payable to DVAs account as a application/commitment fee. This fee does not apply to those individuals being sent by organisations(sending organisations/partners).

After a volunteer’s application has been received and accepted the student volunteer will pay remaining participation fee of € 250 Payment is to be made upon arrival in Kenya during orientation day.

All applications for our programmes should be submitted to the DVA 1 month prior to the start of program.

A special program fee discount is offered to organized groups interested in participating.

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS

If for any reason a participant decides to cancel a confirmed application, they should inform DVA immediately so that a replacement can be found. If you have to cancel your application, please let us know immediately. Once placed on a project of your choice, you will not be entitled to a refund of your Project Placement fee, apart from in exceptional cases. However, if we are unable to place you on a project, we will refund your fee.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Volunteers will be adequately informed on the project they will be involved in before they set out to leave their country and will be sent a work plan for the duration of their stay in Kenya along with contact details.

• We advice our volunteers to arrive two (2) day’s prior to commencement of the work camp/program to be attached to since orientation will be done a day before travel to the campsite/base. All participants are required to participate in the orientation unless on very special cases where a volunteer notified the office.

• During free time volunteers can organize safaris/trips i.e. picnics, hiking, mountain climbing, visit to parks/caves e.t.c depending on the recreational activities existing in the area. Travel cost during free time/social excursion and other related expenses like accommodation outside camp/base will be the volunteer’s responsibility.

• Volunteers should appreciate the local way of living (modest living conditions) like food, accommodation and the culture of host community.

• All DVA volunteers are certified at the end of each program deployed, upon request we write recommendation letters to participants.

During free time volunteers can organize safaris/trips i.e. picnics, hiking, mountain climbing, visit to parks/caves e.t.c depending on the recreational activities existing in the area. Travel cost during free time/social excursion and other related expenses like accommodation outside camp/base will be the volunteer’s responsibility.

• Volunteers should appreciate the local way of living (modest living conditions) like food, accommodation and the culture of host community.

• All DVA volunteers are certified at the end of each program deployed, upon request we write recommendation letters to participants.

Non-discrimination statement: Development Volunteers Africa (DVA) welcomes all International Volunteers and does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.