About Sitatunga-Kitale
Sitatunga-Kitale is an initiative of Community Alliance for Change (CAC), a Community Based Organization (CBO) that is based in Trans-Nzoia County of Western Kenya. The Organization is headquartered at the Ministry of Information Office in Kitale town while the Camp has facilities in Sitatunga Village in Cherangani Constituency, 500 Metres west of Sitatunga Secondary school, 800 metres East of Saiwa Swamp National Park and around 8 Km from Kapolet Forest to the North East. The ERC therefore is instrumental in influencing the restoration of Kapolet forest as well as in protecting the Saiwa Swamp National Park that is a sensitive ecosystem hosting the endangered Debrazza monkey, the Gray Crowned Crane as well as the rare Sitatunga antelope according to the IUCN classification. The camp and organization mainly work with the local communities to include the indigenous Sengwer community as well as other key stakeholders and government agencies to achieve her objectives .
The unsustainable human activities around these two resources have had serious, negative consequences to their survival and functioning as expected. For example, the Kapolet Forest which is a government forest is completely degraded due to unsustainable tree harvesting, overgrazing and poor management. Today the forest is a plain field infested with the invasive cestrum species as well as spotted indigenous trees, and although Saiwa Swamp National Park is protected, the outside environment is not. The unsustainable farming and destruction of riparian wetlands has had a significant impact on the survival of the park by influencing the wetlands water quality and quantity in the park, its flora and fauna. Today the park struggles to survive when dealing with the invasive elephant grass in its swamps that is threatening the survival of the precious rare and endangered species mentioned above.
Current status
Sitatunga-Kitale is therefore working with the local community and other partners to restore the wetlands and reconstruct approximately 600 metres of buffer zone on River Kapenguria between Wiyeta bridge and where the river enters the park to protect the park from external influence. So far the camp has effectively mobilized key stakeholders and sensitized the community on the restoration project. In partnership With National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and other local partners, CAC is participating in the development of the Saiwa Swamp Ecosystem Management Plan with support from Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).
In February 2023, CAC received permission from the Kenyan government to adopt and restore the Kapolet forest through the Kenya Forest Service (KFS). The organization has therefore been able to mobilize key stakeholders and engage the local community on the same. The project requires approximately 2.6 million seedlings, so far 64,000 seedlings have been planted. The camp is still working on fundraising for the two projects.
What the position involves
CAC is therefore seeking for volunteer fundraisers to support our two projects with the following;
- Assist in identifying funders to support the two projects
- Assist the projects with proposals writing and follow-up
- Support the project in monitoring and evaluation
Skills required
- Be competent in their area of specialization
- Have at least a year experience in their area of specialization
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
- Be a person of integrity
Where are you going to live, work and eat?
The volunteers can either work from anywhere online or stay within the project site within the three options below;
- Staying at Sitatunga ERC site in Sinyerere Ward where we have a guest house to accommodate them @ a cost of USD$10 per day. The cost is accommodation only. The Volunteers can pay an extra USD $10 for breakfast and dinner. Volunteers shall have a little kitchen with basic utensils where they can cook for themselves. The camp can host up to 15 volunteers at once. The camp has hot showers, flushing toilets and pit latrines, there is also running water at the site. Laundry services can be arranged at a small fee.
- Option two is for volunteers to be hosted by a local family, this is for those who want to have an adventure and experience the Kenya’s ordinary life. Volunteers are only expected to contribute as little as USD$5 a day or what they consider reasonable to support their living expenses. Other extras like washing and ironing can be done on a small fee.
- Those who prefer urban livining can have access to live in local guest houses and hotels in Kitale or Kapenguria town. An average cost of a guest house is between USD$15 and USD $100 a night
Free time/what you can expect
Our working schedules are flexible and volunteers can create their own free time to refresh
Soccer or football is the most liked game locally. Volunteers can refresh by joining local football teams in their free time, volunteers can also introduce their favorite games to the rural community which will be a great asset in socializing.
Volunteers can also hike, jog or ride freely in the villages and around the Kapolet forest rehabilitation site. The camp can also organize for cultural events and activities in which volunteers can participate in to learn more on the local culture. Note that CAC is working with the Sengwer- Berur women self-help group from the Sengwer community; a marginalized indigenous forest dwelling community where our volunteers can learn so much about the indigenous way of life and their interaction with forests.
The camp also offers tourism opportunities from facilities within the ecosystem, this includes a walk though Saiwa Swamp National park, Kitale National Museum, Waterfalls of Cherangani Hills, a visit to Mt. Elgon National Park, Kitale Nature Conservancy, Kapenguria Museum, visit to the Ndorobo, Sengwer and Marakwet community cultural sites among others.
Volunteers on this site can also have an opportunity to tour other fascinating sites in Uasin-gishu, Baringo, West-Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet and Turkana Counties, they can also visit Uganda which is 45km from Kitale town.
How to apply
Volunteers can apply for this opportunity by emailing an expression of interest. Please indicate your area of interest, the period you will wish to stay and approximate dates in your application. We look forward to hear from you.
Go here to learn more about Sitatunga-Kitale.
