The Ahero Community Resource Center is a project that was initiated by CIVS in collaboration with the local community in 2014 with an aim to build and strengthen the community’s capacity to be self-reliant and to improve their living standards. The Centre achieves this by demonstrating how to utilize the locally available resources to develop the local community. The Centres providing diverse capacity-building programs such as:
Early Childhood Education Program: The center runs a kindergarten with about 100 children aged between 3-7 years who are either vulnerable to poverty or orphans. The children get free education and meals at the school. In the evening they go back home where they stay with their caregivers or guardians.
ICT, Work Preparedness and Business Training: The center provides a community hub for access of free training in computer skills and work preparedness, especially to the youths. This enables them to have increased ICT knowledge and exposure in the evolving world of technology. Work preparedness training prepares them to be viable in the job market by improving their skills and competency for employment. The center has partnered with other stakeholders to provide Business training to the local people which is enabling them to start small business ventures to generate income.
The Model Farm: This is an agricultural-based unit that offers space for practical-oriented training in the field of agriculture and Agri-Business. This provides the community with an opportunity to learn how to carry out various best farming operations and practices of various crops to maximize food production and improve food security and income generation. This project encompasses greenhouses, open farm, poultry unit, fish ponds, etc. The harvest is sold in the local markets and the proceeds used as a source of income that sustains the activities of the center.
Water and Sanitation Program: This project is focused on the treatment of tap water to become clean and safe for all domestic use in the community. The water is therefore connected in homesteads and sold at an economy-friendly and affordable fee as part of the income-generating activity for the center.
Feeding Program: Occasionally, the center runs a feeding program for a select group of needy children during school days by offering breakfast and lunch. This helps to improve the concentration of the children in the class, to motivate them to attend to school and also helps to improve their nutritional health. The efficiency of the program depends on the availability of food and support resources.
Cassava Value Addition: CIVS has set up a cassava processing and storage facility which also serves as a training section for agricultural value addition. Additionally, the project has installed a bakery facility where nutritious cassava cakes and bread are prepared to boost the children's feeding program and generate income for the project.
Disability program: The project supports People with Disabilities (PWDs) with few skills training like sign language, cloth making, agriculture, business training, ICT and work readiness, etc. as a way of promoting inclusivity in the community.
İş Tanımı
Working in the Model Farm: tilling the land, planting crops, applying manure, weeding, watering, harvesting and packaging.
Maintaining and feeding the domesticated animals: rabbits, chicken, geese, turkey
Assisting in cleaning the sheds for the domesticated animals
Assisting in teaching the kindergarten pupils at Learn and Play Day Care basic subjects such as English, drawing, Environment Science and Creative Arts
Assisting in training of computer and work preparedness skills to the Youth at the projects ICT center
Organizing games and extra-curricular activities for kindergarten children as well as playing with them.
Maintenance activities at the center: collecting litter, landscaping, construction repairs, cleaning the halls, slashing the weeds, painting the walls, repairing connecting water pipes in the greenhouse, and garbage disposal point
Konaklama ve Yemek
Accommodation will be at the project 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. Safe drinking water is available through out. Alternatively mineral drinking water can also be purchased from the nearby shops.
Konum ve Serbest Zaman
In this workcamp, volunteers will have a chance to do evening walks, home visits, cultural meetings and games. During weekends, volunteers can visit the Lake Victoria, and the equator line. Volunteers will also have the opportunity for early morning visit to Kakamega Rainforest, hike on the forest hill and witness a sunrise from the forest hill. Leisure activities’ costs are not included in the participation fee.