Q: Could you give us a short background on Touch-Humanity International Voluntary Services (THIVS):
A: Touch-Humanity International Voluntary Services (THIVS) is a Kenyan-based non-profit voluntary organization founded in October 2001 by a group of Kenyans who previously worked with Non-Governmental Organisations, community-based groups or served as volunteers in Kenya and abroad.
The founder members had a common desire to join forces and take steps to touch the souls of the needy, troubled and suffering people in community through humanitarian services.
But it was not until February 2003 that THIVS - then based at Kenya Aids Society offices started engaging in community voluntary activities. The members participated in some events in Nairobi which included visiting orphans homes to spend time with children who needed love, cleaning the polluted river and jointly organized a beauty show for slum poor girls' education bursary.
The initial undertakings kicked off the journey into the future voluntary work. Since those days, THIVS has slowly evolved and grown - establishing international network and partnership with 20 community-based development projects in the Kenya's rural villages and semi-urban areas where the level of awareness is still low, resources limited and abject poverty widespread.
Q: What are some volunteer opportunities you offer? Do you have any volunteer opportunities you are particularly proud of?
A: Touch-Humanity International Voluntary Services has some 45 Workcamps and Middle and Long-Term Voluntary (MLTV) projects in various fields of interest in Kenya today. These include: HIV/AIDS outreach, Aids patients home-based care and support, Construction of water tanks, •Income-generation and development schemes, Poultry Units construction, Environmental and nature conservation efforts, Water and sanitation
•Construction of classrooms, Lake beach rehabilitation and Bio-diversity Initiatives, Medical and Health Care works, Teaching in learning institutions, Human rights and social justice, Gender equity programs, Rehabilitation of social amenities, Pottery, Bricks and Marts making, Construction of low-cost houses, Girls rehabilitation and care, Credit and saving scheme, Care for orphaned, abandoned and disabled children in orphanages.
I’m very proud of water projects, orphans support and HIV/Aids community programmes.
Q: What kind of daily life should prospective volunteers expect?
A: The Volunteers work about 7-8 hours per day from Monday to Friday, with occasional work being done on Saturdays. The work is usually done before 1 o'clock, so that afternoons are free for various trips or other leisure activities. In the evenings, each camp arranges its own program of leisure and creative activities, including discussions, songs, dances and games. Weekends are free and allow time for excursions to various local attractions. Project partners are responsible for your room and board. Accommodation is usually simple - a rental house, a guesthouse and host family. You will get your meals (Participant will eat and drink what is locally available) at your work place and/or at the place where you will be staying.
Q: What is the most important piece of advice you can offer future volunteers?
A: That all Touch Humanity International Voluntary Services (THIVS) programmes focus on authentic community driven projects and by joining in the efforts, you become an agent of positive change in the lives of others and yourself thus making a real difference.
Q: What is the biggest challenge while volunteering abroad?
A: Adjusting fast to some local climatic conditions and new culture exposures and integration.
Q: On the flip side, what is the biggest reward?
A: THIVS Volunteers are exposed to new and authentic experiences and participate in sustainable community development projects. A participants hence gains skills and knowledge in development work, challenging situations, leadership and cross-cultural communication thus gaining a broaden perspective of themselves, development and the world in which we live.
Q: Why should they pay to volunteer with Touch-Humanity International Voluntary Services (THIVS) How is the money used?
A: Since THIVS is a charitable trust that does not receive funding from any sources, it cannot able to pay the volunteer expenses. A volunteer who is interested to serve with us must pay for the workcamps participation expenses. The fee caters for for project logistics including local travel, emergency services cases, food, and accommodation at the workcamp, community support and office stationary among others needs.
Q: Do you have any advice on funding a volunteer experience abroad? (Fundraising, Budgeting, Scholarships etc…)
A: Always plan and use your financial resources/package wisely.
Q: How does volunteering abroad fit into the bigger picture of aid and development?
A: The Volunteering programmes helps to mobilize and bring additional human resources to the community to enhance their capacity to utilize locally available resources to achieve their socio-economic goals as they themselves, identify, design and define them to develop and become self-reliance. This help in stimulate and promote development from the grassroots levels.
Q: Why should someone volunteer with Touch-Humanity International Voluntary Services (THIVS)?
A: By volunteering with Touch Humanity, you work to help alleviate human suffering socially, psychologically and economically through provision of life-support mechanism by promoting humanitarian values. The idea is to promote volunteering as a powerful force for change, both for those who volunteer and for the wider community.
Q: How can someone get in contact with Touch-Humanity International Voluntary Services (THIVS) and learn more about your volunteer abroad opportunities?
A: James Mwangi
Programme Coordinator
THIVS Community Services.
P.O Box 13632-00800
Nairobi, Kenya.
Fax: +254-020-4445755
Cell: +254-0722-938939
Email:touchumanity@yahoo.com
