Valuing volunteering in the development mainstream. A personal testimony of achieving significant change in Kuria District by David Turyahebwa
Kuria District Disability Network(KDDN) Kuria District Disability Network (KDDN) is a CBO that was established and registered in the year 2002, to articulate the socio-cultural and economic issues sidelining Persons with Disabilities and other vulnerable groups (Nyumba Mboke, Boda-Bodas, rural Women, Hola-holas, Tobacco farmers and commercial sex workers) through: Lobbying and advocacy, health activities, purposely to have a common voice on promoting their participation and involvement in the mainstream of development at all levels.
KDDN (contd.) It was established by a group of 5 persons with disabilities, with a vision of creating a barrier-free society where persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups enjoy equal rights. The group raised a small amount of funds through membership contributions which kept the group running some of the office operations. KDDN operated for over 8 years on voluntary basis, without a full-time staff due to lack of funds, with only the chairman struggling and looking for more support and partnerships.
My Initial experiences at KDDN In 2008, the KDDN chairman contacted VSO Jitolee for a partnership and in March 2009, I was placed at KDDN as program officer to support the group in the systems strengthening including resource mobilization and proposal writing, development and implementation of a strategic plan, internal control systems, such as policies, needs assessment and bridging the identified gaps. I embarked on my placement objectives, in a simple one roomed office at a private primary school.
My Initial experiences at KDDN (contd) I persevered working in a lonely environment with the chairman as my only colleague but without electricity, funds to run the day to day office operations, furniture, equipment a bigger team - all because of my passion for Volunteerism. I often travelled to Migori, about 20kms away from office for basic services such as typing and printing of the proposals, strategic plan and policies and general office work - sometimes, I would get to Migori and find that there was power!
VSOJ-Program Manager Kennedy Akolo at KDDN office with the Chairman-Mr. Abednego & David VSOV,during the 1 st review meeting after 3 Months at Placement
My Initial placement experiences & challenges was characterized by: Discouragements and loneliness. Housing issues. Water problem in Kuria. Language barrier. Accessibility to basic services e.g. shopping centers located far from the Office, about 20Kms which was tedious using motorcycle taxis.
Genesis of valuing volunteerism Despite of my disability, the discouragements and challenges, I persevered and embraced my placement objectives and worked hard, in a rural setting, with no social amenities or organizational systems. This was attributed by the passion I have for volunteerism in changing lives. That is now history; only successes and best practices have led to significant changes.
Go to the people, live among them, learn from them love them, start with what they know, build on what they have: But of the best leaders, when their task is accomplished, their work is done, the people all remark We have done it ourselves. Chinese Proverb
Growth of KDDN from group status to a vibrant organization In a period of 2 years, KDDN has grown: From 2 Volunteers (Chairman and VSO Volunteer) to 43 full time staff and over 350 Community volunteers. From single-roomed office to 8 roomed complex office. From no furniture to executive, complete furniture. From no computer to 9 computers and 4 printers /photocopying machines. From riding boda-bodas to having 3 Motorcycles.
Former KDDN Office
Front view of KDDN Head Office
Back yard of KDDN Office
KDDN Director s Office
My Office
KDDN Accounts Office
KDDN S Program Office
Program office extension (contd.)
Valuing Volunteerism Volunteerism is an activity undertaken, by choice and free will, to benefit of the wider community. It is a social responsibility rather than for any financial reward.
Valuing Volunteerism in the Development perspective My volunteering experience Volunteering enhances innovation, perseverance, growth and needed services in the communities. Genesis of KDDN has been on the foundation of volunteerism. Had it not been for my spirit of volunteerism, I would not have discovered the kind of abilities I posses and not much would have been expected on ground. Change agent with passion to seeing value for my efforts. Sharing my experiences in Volunteering at KDDN has been embraced with a lot of significant changes - with a 5-year capacity building project being supported by CDC-through EGPAF.
Valuing Volunteerism in the Development perspective My volunteering experience (contd.) The project aims to contribute to reduction of the incidences of HIV infection among persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in 2 Districts (Kuria West and East) through HIV and AIDS evidence-based prevention services. 210 Peer educators/volunteers were trained to carry out community prevention services; condom-use promotion, skills building and referrals. 50 Mentors trained to carry out mentorshipship program- Being faithful skills. 14 Youth promoters and 28 TOTs trained to carry school based programs-abstinence skills in School.
Valuing Volunteerism in the Development perspective My volunteering experience (contd.) 40 Youth out of school trained to carry out community based secondary abstinence skills. HIV Counselling and testing 2 additional KDDN static sites established; regular Moon light, Mobile outreaches & Door to door HTC conducted. Implementation strategies shifted to more evidence-informed interventions: Families Matter Program (FMP), parents of children aged 9-12 years. Health choices 1-(10-14yrs)-In school program Health choices 2-( 13-17yrs)-Out of school youth. Health choices 3-(18-24yrs)-Youth of school. Prevention with positives (PWPs) MARPs. HTC-Door to door.
Peer educators in their groups
Community Volunteers training
Significant changes Cont d Improved advocacy & lobbying forums for PWDs to express their views, civic education on the disability laws-contributed to tax exemptions, involved in various committees, access to bursaries and education and employment within Kuria districts
Disability committee meeting& Provision of assistive devices.
Advocacy project for PWDs
Significant changes Cont d Improved economic empowerment for 50 PWDs; were trained in loan & credit management & given revolving loan to boost their household Incomes-Support from National disability fund-
Significant Changes Cont d Volunteerism enhances individual learning by sharing skills Personal experience on human resource technical strengthening of 43 KDDN staff, Community volunteers and beneficiaries through on job training ( mentorship and coaching).
Mentorship &coaching of KDDN 43 staff
Induction & Coaching of KDDN staff & Beneficiaries.
Significant changes cont d Sharing my wealthy of experiences garnered in the organisational development contributed to the strong internal control systems such as policies, 5 year strategic plan. Have been the cornerstone of effective & efficient delivery of KDDN programs. Hosted international,national & local visitors from CDC,EGPAF,VSO & many national & local development partners to learn from the best practices.
International & national visitors at KDDN to learn from best practices
In conclusion Volunteers are contributing a lot towards attaining of the MDGs and fighting global disadvantaged, through collective actions. Former UN secretary Kofi Annan, it is barely conceivable that the MDGs will be achieved without the efforts, creativity & solidarity of many millions of ordinary citizens through Voluntary actions Together yes we can, through volunteerism. Bellow is the certificate of east Africa Community service award.
Certificate of recognition
Valuing volunteerism shall be fully achieved through Volunteerism should be embraced by every body right from at individual, family,community levels and this will be fully achieved by; Development of national volunteer policy. The value of volunteering to both individuals and communities. Training the development partners on the importance of volunteerism.
Valuing volunteerism shall be fully achieved cont d Conducting evaluations on the impact of volunteerism on the development mainstreams of development. Increasing the lobbying and advocacy issues on volunteerism. Private and public corporate bodies need to lobby conducive environment to embrace the issues undermining volunteerism in achieving development aspects.
By addressing these issues would enable people from diverse backgrounds to volunteer, each achieving their own aspirations and contributing to their communities. Personal experiences of Volunteering has been motivated VSO clear guidelines on volunteering.
10 Minutes Documentation