tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-345646592009-07-08T08:10:41.892ZAVIF is an innovative online charity, with a promise to Invest in our Volunteers. We assist with sustainable development via online & onsite volunteering in rural Kenya, East Africa. Being virtual means negligible administration costs for worldwide impact. We believe in efficiency, honesty and transparency .. oh and we definitely do not charge fees.AVIF Volunteers in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563192415529400298alowndes@avif.org.ukBlogger282125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34564659.post-60886805211582497252009-07-05T14:33:00.001Z2009-07-05T14:33:01.659Z

Rhiannon, one of our volunteers from earlier this year has just written a fantastic report on the Mercy Home; her expereinces and lessons volunteering in Kenya.You can read it online at DocStoc here.There are valuable lessons to come from the report so try to read it.Rhi's FB photos are also here if you're "on the list" ...Technorati Tags: AVIF, poverty, volunteer, takeaction, Kenya, Africa,

AVIF Volunteers in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563192415529400298alowndes@avif.org.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34564659.post-42304711378338292802009-06-24T17:59:00.002Z2009-06-24T19:15:59.247Z

Sunday 21 June, Fathers Day in the UK, welcomed the 3 Head Teachers from the Mida, Mbarackachembe & Mzizima Primary Schools in Kenya, East Africa for a 10 day visit. Today I had the pleasure of being hosted by Nidderdale High School with Nicholas, Kanunda and Sirus. We were there to learn some of the fantastic art of paper-making, coached by the fantastic Joan Newall and Sue Harrison.Kanunda,

AVIF Volunteers in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563192415529400298alowndes@avif.org.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34564659.post-75261433889349765492009-06-23T10:24:00.002Z2009-06-23T10:39:01.179Z

Time for planning and time for preparing. I'm about to ride off on a charity event for 7 days so wanted to touch base to remind everyone about arrivals in Nairobi. Please confirm flight arrivals. We've changed venue for the orientation. Everyone will be gathering at Nairobi's International Youth Hostel. You can book your own rooms online (there are private or shared) and they can organise a

AVIF Volunteers in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563192415529400298alowndes@avif.org.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34564659.post-63421331845728424942009-06-03T22:53:00.002Z2009-06-03T22:55:46.297Z

FSI have created a brilliant new paper or virtual £2 draw fundraiser to win a fabulous Fiat 500. Tickets go on sale on Saturday June 6th online at our Everyclick site where you may also want to sign up to using Everyclick.com as your search engine to raise money for us at the same time.On 21st August 2009 the draw closes and will be made on 1st October 2009 at the FSI’s Forum for small charities.

AVIF Volunteers in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563192415529400298alowndes@avif.org.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34564659.post-13071382719721485222009-05-29T09:39:00.001Z2009-05-29T09:39:46.530Z

Simon's back, rested and put together all his photos onto Flickr of the amazing Cairo to CapeTown Tour d'Afrique 2009 journey by bicycle. His full blog is here. Simon incredibly fundraised for AVIF, enough to cover another years secondary education for Pius and Norbert, 2 Yala boys, who he met when riding through Kenya March 5.The images speak their own words so make a coffee and scroll through

AVIF Volunteers in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563192415529400298alowndes@avif.org.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34564659.post-31532306203935313692009-05-22T18:32:00.001Z2009-05-22T18:32:32.284Z

Just heard from Michael in Naivasha and been updated with the emails that have been flying back and forth between Kenya and Leeds, UK where 2 sports teachers are trying to push Michaels fantastic football academy project forward, prior to their arrival in Kenya for the Summer Programme.We have an urgent need for the following, to be purchased cheaply in Kenya, so if you have any connections with

AVIF Volunteers in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563192415529400298alowndes@avif.org.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34564659.post-35969870549996353792009-05-11T18:15:00.001Z2009-05-11T18:15:23.122Z

Thanks to Marie for this.Ingrids Centre is a great start for volunteers who want to visit for a day or week around Nairobi. Douglas Onkware and his wife Grace and twin brother Eric are wonderful, trustworthy dedicated people who really care - they'll take you around, let you see places and get with Kenyan life - an awesome introduction. I would highly recommend them. They were using 2nd hand, 10

AVIF Volunteers in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563192415529400298alowndes@avif.org.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34564659.post-31796352025009009712009-05-08T13:27:00.003Z2009-05-08T20:23:22.024Z

Back in February I met with Michael Ouma of Naivasha and his colleague Andrew from Leeds, UK, thanks to a FaceBook friend suggestion!We were talking about opening a football academy in Kenya after Michael had completed his FA coach training in Manchester.Now back in Naivasha AVIF volunteers Philip and Andrew (another Andrew) both sports teachers, will be joining Michael for the Summer.Michael

AVIF Volunteers in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563192415529400298alowndes@avif.org.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34564659.post-81569525774895003212009-04-29T14:01:00.002Z2009-04-29T14:03:05.800Z

Jambo - Habari (from Marie)... You have probably seen my few pics on facebook - but wanted you to have a look at these first - ah where do I start........I took a taxi motorbike from Maseno to Mercy Home - girls came running with open arms, huge smiles and big cuddles - tears flowed.......then when I looked down at these gorgeous girls, to my surprise - they were all new ones! LOLMajor structural

AVIF Volunteers in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563192415529400298alowndes@avif.org.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34564659.post-41099302783934227552009-04-29T11:32:00.001Z2009-04-29T11:32:18.436Z

Numbers are starting to be confirmed but we'd still appreciate more help. Please remember to send in details of your arrival times.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

AVIF Volunteers in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563192415529400298alowndes@avif.org.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34564659.post-73673814640186782082009-04-23T19:21:00.001Z2009-04-23T19:21:38.470Z

Miss Leonidah Ayuma (pictured here with UK volunteer, Beckee) of the Mercy Home in Maseno, western Kenya has been accepted into a 2-year Business Management program at MMUST in Kakamega (Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology)C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S !!!Such awesome news.If anyone can help us cover the fees (over a two-year period) she is certainly a worthy candidate!.. contact

AVIF Volunteers in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563192415529400298alowndes@avif.org.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34564659.post-36614531539847630192009-04-16T18:29:00.001Z2009-04-16T18:29:03.907Z

AVIF webshop newsletter AVIF and Expedia Expedia is working with AVIF so that you can book a great break and raise funds for AVIF at the same time. Expedia will help you to create your perfect trip, if you need some help take a look at these offers. Visit Britain, bag a bargain! Book before: April

AVIF Volunteers in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563192415529400298alowndes@avif.org.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34564659.post-13251379378053143752009-04-07T14:15:00.003Z2009-04-16T16:10:08.268Z

Marie has managed to email, here are her words:Hello to all my beautiful friends and family! I had so forgotten the long slow internet process - err if working at all! I have tried several times to download pics for you all - but have not had any luck so far.Time is flying! Kenya amazing, familiar, the colours the smiles the sadness and joy all together into the most amazing mix - Gosh I love it

AVIF Volunteers in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563192415529400298alowndes@avif.org.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34564659.post-34902309137795893102009-03-30T20:54:00.002Z2009-03-30T21:43:48.956Z

We're all totally buzzing here over receiving an email from Leonidah Ayuma, one of the talented, gorgeous girls living at the Mercy Home in Maseno, Kenya, our main hosts.Our fabulous 2007 volunteers who set up the Home's Foundation have only just got over the shock of receiving our first "Report" from Edward Mbenda Buyengo, director and "father" at the home. The report finally puts us in touch

AVIF Volunteers in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563192415529400298alowndes@avif.org.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34564659.post-62828743382374989652009-03-30T20:27:00.004Z2009-04-02T09:36:13.588Z

Tomorrow I attend a meeting with Nidderdale High School, my childrens school, about a cross cultural project we're part of. Local primary schools, Glasshouses and St Cuthberts, along with 3 primary schools on the Kenyan Coast are taking part in a DFID funded exchange program initiating curriculum activities promoting Global Dimensions education between the two cultures.Arabuko-Sokoke forest (

AVIF Volunteers in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563192415529400298alowndes@avif.org.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34564659.post-26780064204645573742009-03-25T21:51:00.001Z2009-03-25T21:51:16.298Z

Zoe, AVIF volunteer in 2007 and active member of the Mercy Home Foundation was enrolled to do the Edinburgh Marathon at the end of May alongside James. Unfortunately Zoe was injured in training .. but "determined to start again ... and entered the British 10km run on 12 July".Zoe's hoping to raise £1000 for us and would be "really grateful if you could sponsor me and help me reach my fundraising

AVIF Volunteers in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563192415529400298alowndes@avif.org.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34564659.post-84054513167704966422009-03-23T16:49:00.001Z2009-03-23T16:49:23.846Z

Marie's now upcountry in Kisumu and wrote to update us :" Greetings from Kisumu! The first time I have made it to an internet cafe!!!So a short note of whats been happening....... I spent a wonderful day at Ingrids Education Centre in Nairobi - where they have now 6 little iron classes - I was the first ever visitor there and was so enchanted with these little kids and the magnificent work

AVIF Volunteers in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563192415529400298alowndes@avif.org.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34564659.post-87329856882741701332009-03-18T20:31:00.001Z2009-03-18T20:31:39.399Z

AVIF newsletter A fantastic offer from Marks & Spencer Save £5 when you spend £35+ on Mother’s Day gifts such as womenswear, lingerie and beauty products*. Marks and Spencer has an incredible selection of Mother’s Day gift ideas. Popular gifts include the Pretty Mum Bouquet and Gardening Herb Pots.

AVIF Volunteers in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563192415529400298alowndes@avif.org.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34564659.post-27431770254991747802009-03-15T13:38:00.002Z2009-03-15T13:55:23.307Z

A quality patient life year its a new standard set by the UK's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE),The fact MMS is so cheap to produce is exactly why its not on the pharmacy shelves, except as mouthwashes or in almost-ineffective doses as "stabilized oxygen". There's more money, a multi-billion-pound industry in drugs which stop symptoms temporarily rather than remove the

AVIF Volunteers in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563192415529400298alowndes@avif.org.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34564659.post-25317444384766243382009-03-14T20:13:00.000Z2009-03-14T20:13:00.334Z

The awesome Brique has been at it again! LLK has managed to secure the assistance of a church group who donated funds to buy water bottles and water and have a hygiene expert from the Kenyan Ministry of Health give a workshop about keeping the bottles clean, domestic health and First Aid.Technorati Tags: LLK, kenya, nakuru, water, life

AVIF Volunteers in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563192415529400298alowndes@avif.org.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34564659.post-71181332259491021812009-03-12T19:46:00.002Z2009-03-12T19:49:41.539Z

.. here's the photos from Edward of the meeting between Simon and Pius and Norbert but here's Simon journal entry; Isiolo, Kenya to Arusha, Tanzania, where the tour are currently resting.AVIF Volunteers in Kenya, AVIF Volunteers in Kenya, Mar 2009More photos on Scott's brilliant website

AVIF Volunteers in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563192415529400298alowndes@avif.org.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34564659.post-61287303792290956212009-03-10T14:40:00.001Z2009-03-11T14:23:51.183Z

I've heard from Simon again via Facebook and wanted to share a bit more of the journey .. I'm awaiting photos from Edward of the meeting between him and Pius and Norbert but here's Simon journal entry; Isiolo, Kenya to Arusha, Tanzania, where the tour are currently resting.Many thanks also to Scott Kennedy for his brilliant photos uploaded to the FaceBook Tour d'Afrique group.Technorati Tags:

AVIF Volunteers in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563192415529400298alowndes@avif.org.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34564659.post-91007222550494107692009-03-08T15:11:00.003Z2009-03-08T15:27:31.551Z

Its been 6 months but we got there in the end and here's the pictures of the TT Marshals' medical boxes' surplus arriving at the ArrowWeb Hospital in Nairobi.There are many more photos here if you wish to view the gallery (need to join the project).My thanks go to very versatile and knowledgable Bramuel Simiyu, we weren't sure if the goods would get through customs at one point but Bram's

AVIF Volunteers in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563192415529400298alowndes@avif.org.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34564659.post-70338052980329818632009-03-04T19:01:00.001Z2009-03-04T19:01:08.291Z

Simon Gardner and the 20+ strong group of cycle-maniacs are in Kenya, and tomorrow reach Sagana by Mt Kenya. As I write I am texting Edward, Pius and Norbert who are travelling (they are in Kisumu right now after the boys travelled from their schools, released by their Headmasters to make the trip east). The Tour d'Afrique group blogged on Monday (authored by Alexandra Shanny) about the Highway

AVIF Volunteers in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563192415529400298alowndes@avif.org.uk0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34564659.post-70809231522347748262009-02-27T15:17:00.003Z2009-03-04T16:37:47.742Z

The first 2 boxes of medical supplies arrived safely last week and were handed over for minimal handling charge. Yesterday evening Kenya Airways fantasticly flew the last 9 boxes of medical kit into Nairobi and Bramuel was there ready to collect.Unfortunately the same handling agent who passed over the first 2 boxes now believes they need an additional $200 to release the goods. The KRA agent is

AVIF Volunteers in Kenyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04563192415529400298alowndes@avif.org.uk4