Here is relevant info you may or may not already know.
Please contact GDS safaris directly via the website if you wish to book a safari after the Programme ends, from 31 August. Similarly with diving off the coast or climbing Kili or Mt Kenya. I’d like to emphasize that you need at least a week for a Kili climb but Mt Kenya is “doable” in 2 days, with Mary Kariuki at your side.
Internet access can be found in local towns at approx $1 an hour but mobile communications are much easier, with the right phone. Please remember internet access in rural locations is by poor satellite bandwidth only so sending photographs back can be “challenging”! A prepaid Kenya SIM card is the most convenient and economical solution while you’re in Kenya. If you want to make international calls you will need an international SIM, again, you can get these in Nairobi.
US dollars are acceptable in Kenya but you’ll need small local currency in rural locations. You can pay your host for food etc in either currency, they will be able to buy a lot more for their money than you, as locals get much cheaper rates than us “muzungus”.
540 Airlines, for all internal flights, allow up to 45kg baggage allowance for AVIF Volunteers. We strongly recommend that volunteers travel up-country by air, a much more convenient, faster and safer method of travel, though this cost must be borne yourselves. .. internal flights take 1 hour rather than 6-9 hours by road and cost around GBP60 return.
Distance-learning for Solar Cookers .. see Plans.pdf here
We need all volunteers to study these plans as you can assist with training in simple construction and use of the Solar “slow-cookers”, under the guidance of SCI (Nairobi). SCI Archive site here
The Solar Cooking project continues to grow, please read the page on the SCI Wiki dedicated to Kenya.
We also recommend taking out Flying Doctor membership (please see Join Us > Safety section on website).
For all those not already informed please see the website section on Development Education, especially if you are a UK trainee teacher.Preparing for volunteering, volunteering itself and reflecting on the experience on your return are all likely to impact on your teaching.
MASTA have an online shop for travel goods and provide a free travel health guide on the website. Please send in AVIF Medical Forms if you have not already done so. Without these your place is not confirmed.
Itinerary as per website :
31 July arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi & Gracia Guest House
Orientation 1 August with Sharon at the Gracia
Return flights to Kisumu (book through www.fly540.com 10am NBO-KISUMU-NBO) 2 August. This flight stops in Eldoret.
4 week programme 2 August to 30 August
Return flight to Nairobi / NBO-Mara for Safari rendezvous / own plans/ home 1 September
NB. Safari is optional ~ itinerary here
Please try to contact your respective airlines and ask for a charitable baggage allowance if you are bringing over donated goods. Normally airlines are happy to offer this. I can provide confirmation if necessary, or else simply pass on our contact details.
Sharon or a representative of AVIF will meet you at the airport. On the occasion of delays, or very early flights please BE CAREFUL !! Only the most experienced African travellers can resist the temptations of Nairobi’s taxi touts. Gracia Guest House taxi fare should be no more than Ksh1200 per person.
Gracia Guest House address : off Ring Road, Kilimani Road, behind the Ya Ya Centre/ Mall, in Hurlingham area. The Gracia is a very clean, pleasant, quiet place with excellent hospitality. This is a safe hotel. There are cheaper hotels but we cannot guarantee safety outside of the hotel.
The price for a twin room (cost shared between 2 sharing) is Ksh4250 / USD$ 62. A single is Ksh3250 .. these are extremely reasonable prices for high season, central, secure Nairobi.
Regarding educational posters, there is an instructions poster here should you wish to take some with you http://www.fourthway.co.uk/posters/pages/cover.html
Can you all please make sure you are subscribed to the Blog as updates are published there and act as an archive for information. If you subscribe (most of you should already be) you will get sent the updates every time I write something.
We will shortly be assigning placements. Until numbers are confirmed its always difficult to do this.
Technorati Tags: 2009 update, AVIF
