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Community Development
Women’s Handicraft Support Program
Location: Ngong, various sites around Nairobi and outlying areas
Suitable for: anyone, particularly those with an interest in microfinance
Date constraints: nil
Selection: subject to application and interview
Volunteers are essential in helping to establish a microfinance program aimed at maximising feasibility of small businesses run by women making handicrafts for sale. In consultation with experts, GAPS aims to initially provide women with a small grant with which to start their cottage industry business. Through consultation with Australian major industry buyers, women would also be guided by GAPS as to what styles and approaches would maximise their feasibility and subsequently would assist in marketing items to buyers in Australia.
One of the key roles for volunteers would be to, with assistance, identify and create a database of cottage industry women. This will require volunteers to meet and profile possible participants and identifying their capabilities. This profiling would be crucial in attracting major industry buyers, not only in encouraging them to buy but also in communicating how the capability of the women on the ground could meet the commercial needs of the industry in Australia.
Volunteers would be important in building relationships with the women and their communities and building the foundation for future interaction. Furthermore, volunteers would identify potential angles for sale of these items in Kenya. Volunteers would also document the process through a video diary which would aid in further promotion and expansion of the scheme.
Center for the Formation of the Deaf and Dumb
(project development, marketing and advocacy)
Location: Gisenyai, rural village in Rwanda on Lake Kivu
Suitable for: anyone but preferable those with a background or interest in marketing, economics, law or/and development.
Dates constraints: nil
Selection: subject to application and interview
The Centre for the Formation of the Deaf and Dumb commenced operations in 2003. It is in the process of training 48 deaf and dumb youth in sign language in English, Kinyarwanda, French as well as Mathematics. The youth also participate in the making of crafts which are sold to keep the Centre running. Many of the youth at the Centre are homeless having been shunned from society and unwanted by their families. Furthermore several of the young females at the Centre have experienced physical and sexual violence. The Centre aims to provide these youth with skills to enhance their ability to survive in society. However, materials and teaching resources are limited, the one classroom they use for teaching is on loan from the local Scout who at any time can ask the Centre leave and providing food for the youth is often a daily struggle. Despite the hardship the staff at the Centre continue to do whatever they can to keep the Centre running, inspired by the potential, joy and motivation of the youth to learn. GAPS is now working with the Centre to build a consolidating foundation that will help the Centre improve its operations and become self sufficient and sustainable through income generating activities.
GAPS and the Centre are offering opportunities in the following:
Development/Business Consultancy
Income generating and marketing advisor
Legal and Advocacy Advisor
Architectural internship
Speech pathology/Audiology
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