AHERO Volunteer in a community resource centre in KENYA

The centre was established in 2013 by our partner organization in collaboration with the local community to strengthen community self-reliance, improve living conditions, and promote sustainable economic development. It operates as a true “one-stop center” for community services, combining education, agriculture, vocational training, water access, and social support.

The project's main objective is to empower local populations to become more self-sufficient by making the most of the resources available within their territory. The centre implements income-generating activities and capacity-building programmes to combat poverty, food insecurity, and unemployment, while promoting social inclusion and civic participation.

Main Focus Areas and Programs Developed by the Centre :

• Agriculture and Food Security

The centre operates a model farm that serves as a demonstration and training site. Community members learn modern and sustainable farming techniques, including greenhouse cultivation, vegetable production, poultry farming, and fish farming. Produce is sold in local markets, helping to generate income that supports the centre’s activities.

• Early Childhood Education

The centre provides care and education for approximately 90 to 100 children aged 3 to 7 years, mainly orphans and children from vulnerable families. They receive free, high-quality preschool education as well as daily meals that support their growth, development, and academic success.

• Digital Skills and Entrepreneurship Training

The computer and entrepreneurship training program primarily targets young people. It enables them to acquire digital skills, improve their employability, and develop income-generating economic activities.

• Water and Sanitation

The centre provides the community with clean and affordable water through a treatment and distribution system. This programme improves public health and sanitation while generating revenue to support the centre’s operations.

• Community Advocacy

The centre has a meeting hall where community forums are organized, allowing residents to engage directly with local authorities on development issues affecting their area. This initiative promotes civic participation and strengthens local governance.

• School Feeding Program and Cassava Value Addition

To improve the nutrition of the most vulnerable children, the center runs a school feeding programme. It has also developed a cassava processing unit and a bakery that produces nutritious bread and pastries, generating both income and food support for the community.

The Role of Volunteers

International volunteers actively participate in the centre’s activities:

• Assisting on the farm: ploughing land, planting crops, applying manure, weeding, watering, harvesting, and packaging produce.

• Supporting preschool teachers in delivering lessons in subjects such as English, drawing, environmental studies, and creative arts.

• Organizing games and extracurricular activities for preschool children and spending recreational time with them.

• Contributing to computer training programmes for young people at the project’s ICT (Information and Communication Technology) Centre.

• Assisting with the maintenance and cleaning of animal shelters.

• Supporting fundraising initiatives and helping promote the centere and its activities.

• Participating in general maintenance work around the centre, including waste collection, landscaping, infrastructure repairs, classroom cleaning, bush clearing, painting, and other improvement activities.