Kenya Institute of Organic Farming (KIOF) is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) operating throughout Kenya and the Eastern Africa region. It is not operated for profit nor other commercial purposes but for the benefit of the public at large, promoting rural development and education in the areas of organic agriculture and related marketing services.
KIOF was a pioneer in Kenya’s organic agriculture movement. It is based in Juja town near Thika, 30 Km Northern of Nairobi. It was established in 1986 to promote organic agriculture among small-holder farmers though training and awareness creation with focus on youth, women and self-help framing groups. KIOF maintains demonstration centers in five locations of Eastern, Central and Rift Valley provinces. KIOF works with NGO’s, government, departments and research organizations in this initiative. The instate has published several books on smallholder organic farming practice. KIOF trains stallholder farmers in organic farming methods using locally available resources, including local indigenous knowledge, for maximum production to feed a growing population. This can be realized through a holistic approach to the farming system and including such factors as choice of crops, composting techniques, planting systems, crop storage, animal husbandry, crop protection and soil erosion. Their struggles can be defined as follows; Alcoholism, drug and substance abuse; Adverse climatic condition {unreliable and unevenly distributed rainfall}; Early pregnancy for teenage girls; HIV/AIDS epidemic Project activities.
Besides from the regular training-programs, KIOF is involved in a wide range of activities related to the broad field of organic farming: Juja Organic Market; Community Supported Agriculture (CSA - "box-scheme"); KIOF Demonstration Gardens; Small Earth Girls' High School; Outreach and Consultancy Department; Quality Management Systems for Small Scale Marketing Groups; Banana Nurseries.
Volunteer tasks:
Volunteers will be involved in horticultural development initiatives within the community and the institution under the guidance and supervision of the staff and the field officers.
Minimum stay:
3 months
Maximum stay:
12 months
Financial contribution:
Participation fees is Euro 200 per month paid upfront on arrival to cover the entire duration of placement at the project and monthly payment of participation fees is not allowed for conventional purposes.
What is included in the participation fee? •Airport transfers •Accommodation and food while in the project (breakfast and dinner will be provided in project) •Orientation and evaluation including board •Transport to and from the project
What is not included in the participation fee? •Cost of drinks like soda, bear, mineral water etc. •Cost of sight seeing •Visa costs •Local traveling
This Community Based Organisation (CBO) has activities running on daily basis and mainly farm work which has committed and well skilled members. The CBO has 31 members of which 24 female 7 male. The project aims at striving for healthy living. The project was initiated due to high poverty within our community and increased deaths due to AIDS and Malaria.
Vision - To alleviate poverty and hunger through agricultural activities. Mission - Initiate and encourage income generating activities by empowering women, men and the youth to acquire agricultural modern skills and creating awareness in the field of HIV/AIDS and Malaria.
Some of the challenges facing the group in its implementation of their activities include but not limited to:
Lack of literacy rate in our community members; Lack of new technology skills in agricultural and veterinary; High deaths rates due to HIV/AIDS, Malaria and TB infections.
Project activities:
Sensitization of the community on HIV/AIDS and Malaria; Education on Early Child Development within the CBO; Organic Farming on {horticultural farming}; they plant soya and produce soya product added value; poultry keeping; growing of tissue culture bananas.
Volunteer tasks:
Sensitization of the community on HIV/AIDS and Malaria; Education on Early Child Development; Organic Farming on {horticultural farming}; poultry keeping; growing of tissue culture bananas; awareness creation within the community; resource mobilization and capacity building among the group members.
Minimum stay:
3 months
Maximum stay:
12 months
Financial contribution:
Participation fees is Euro 200 per month paid upfront on arrival to cover the entire duration of placement at the project and monthly payment of participation fees is not allowed for conventional purposes.
What is included in the participation fee? •Airport transfers •Accommodation and food while in the project (breakfast and dinner will be provided in project) •Orientation and evaluation including board •Transport to and from the project
What is not included in the participation fee? •Cost of drinks like soda, bear, mineral water etc. •Cost of sight seeing •Visa costs •Local traveling
« I would recommend participating in a workcamp, especially with VAP, who ensured that I found a project to suit me and provided essential training for me in preparation for my trip. Being part of a workcamp really is a life-changing experience, oh, and it looks great on your CV! »
