Partnership with SOTENI
A group of American and African volunteers created SOTENI International, a registered 501(c)3 non-profit in 2002. Passionately committed to preventing HIV/AIDS and to reducing its effects, they decided to put public-health theory into practice in Kenya, which has been ravaged by the epidemic. Their mission: to prevent another generation from succumbing by empowering orphans of AIDS to lead the fight against AIDS. SOTENI is an acronym for Sustainability, Opportunity, Training, Epidemiology, Networking and Interdependence. Our website is www.soteni.org.
SOTENI Kenya (a registered NGO) was formed in 2003. The group developed the model of “Villages of Hope,” whose goal is to establish a sustainable, grass-roots community led by a locally elected management committee that supports orphans and other children affected by HIV/AIDS, especially those heading families. Each village selects the programming most important for that community: a health center in Mbakalo, a school in Mituntu, a day care/feeding center in Ugenya, and farming in Kuria, as well as sponsorship of orphans and other vital programs. SOTENI continues to work on:
· Bridging the gap between the haves and have-nots, particularly through sustainable, data-driven programs, training, networking, and interdependence.
· Acquiring diverse sources of funding as well as technical and other support that helps us sustain and expand our successes. Our major funders have ranged from individuals in the United States to the U.S. Agency for International Development, Kenya’s National AIDS Control Council, the World Bank, the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio, World Vision, and the Greater Cincinnati Foundation.
· Strengthening the fight against HIV/AIDS by sharing lessons, resources and inspiration, and by mobilizing the caring power of individuals, groups, communities, and governments. More than 20 volunteers from five continents have learned from and advised Kenyans at our four Villages of Hope.
· To create a flexible, effective model for the empowerment of orphans and other vulnerable children (OVC) so they and their communities can lead in the fight against AIDS. SOTENI operates four rural Villages of Hope that help educate orphans and other vulnerable children. In the Villages, grassroots management, training, and income-generation provide the foundation for autonomy as well as resources for supporting OVC and people living with HIV/AIDS.
Need for Material Resources
There are a variety of ways—both big and small—that you can contribute to SOTENI.
In SOTENI Village of Hope-Mituntu, an Academic Center of Excellence is under construction. This school will benefit OVC (orphans and other vulnerable children) who cannot afford to go to high school. Classrooms, an office, and a power house have been constructed. Money is needed to build the dormitory and latrine, as well as to finish the well so farming can begin.
In SOTENI Village of Hope-Mbakalo, SOTENI’s rural Dispensary health center needs to move out of its current building within the year. A new building must be constructed to ensure uninterrupted delivery of services to members of the community, who have come to rely on SOTENI’s delivery of services.
In SOTENI Village of Hope-Ugenya, the community has identified a day care/feeding center as a major need. SOTENI currently has land where bananas are being farmed. A caretaker is needed to care for the bananas as well.
In SOTENI Village of Hope-Kuria—SOTENI’s youngest Village of Hope—plans are being developed for a demonstration farm and a community center to educate members of the community. Funding is needed to take these plans to the next step.
In Villages of Hope Mituntu and Mbakalo, the very successful AIDS Barefoot Doctors need funding for the upcoming year of service. Combining the Chinese tradition of the barefoot doctor with the Kenyan idea of “harambee” (communal effort), ABDs act as community doctors, performing home based care and treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS. These communities have come to depend on the ABDs and we hope to ensure uninterrupted delivery of services in 2009. Villages of Hope Ugenya and Kuria are eager to begin their own ABD programs as soon as funding is available.
Material items are always needed, including but not limited to: laptop computers, medical supplies, vitamins, aspirin, and skymiles.
An $18,000 donation would allow SOTENI to ship a 40’ container to Kenya filled with school supplies, furniture, hospital and medical supplies, books, clothing and other items valued at about $200,000.
A $2000 donation would allow SOTENI to buy a motorbike for a Program Coordinator in one village. A motorbike vastly improves the quality of care provided to sponsored children as well as quickening project progress.
A $225 donation will purchase a digital camera for one of SOTENI’s Sponsorship Facilitators, providing more frequent and comprehensive information about status of sponsored children.
A $600 donation provides comprehensive sponsorship of one orphan or vulnerable child for a year.
A $75,000 donation will allow SOTENI to complete construction of a new Dispensary health center and provide uninterrupted coverage to the residents of the community.
A $130 donation buys a wireless modem for fast, reliable communication in areas with no internet access and airtime for one year.
SOTENI welcomes a variety of additional donations. Please feel free to contact Randie at randie@soteni.org with information on your items and ideas for possible donation drives.
Need for Volunteers
SOTENI has a number of volunteer opportunities available:
Our Professional Volunteer Program is designed for health-related specialists or professionals such as teachers, engineers, architects and accountants who can address conditions in developing countries. SOTENI will work with professionals to best utilize your abilities in our Villages of Hope.
If you are a professional and would like to volunteer here in the U.S., contact us to explore the best ways to use your skills and time. If you are a professional and would like to volunteer in Kenya, we’d like to know more about you so we can try to match your interests and skills to our needs.
SOTENI Internships are available at our U.S. office in Cincinnati, Ohio. Interns will work closely with the Director and assist with office work and organizational development. Scheduling is flexible.
The SOTENI Bridge Program is designed to train volunteers to work in rural and urban settings in Kenya, where they will learn to provide essential HIV/AIDS prevention services, especially to AIDS orphans. The interns also learn about the rich cultures of Kenya while sharing their own gifts, experiences and insights. SOTENI’s goal is to enable interns to be AIDS-prevention advocates in both Kenya and their home countries. Above all, the program demonstrates the principle of Interdependence. Interns work side-by-side with Kenyans to achieve the goals set by the four Villages of Hope, and have previously stayed for between one and seven months.
The first step in securing an internship is to submit a resume (curriculum vitae). Also, to help us get to know you better, please respond to the statements below. We are open to ideas from you about how to best use your skills, energy and resources!
Please complete the following statements.
1. I want to work with SOTENI because:
2. I would like to spend my hours doing:
3. This experience would help/transform me because:
4. I bring these qualities/experience to the position:
5. My availability for volunteer work with SOTENI is:
(Please indicate period you are available, how long you are interested in volunteering/interning, and indicate if you are interested in working in Kenya or the United States.)
A $25 non-refundable application fee must accompany the answers to the above questions and your CV. Please mail to: SOTENI International, 2366 Kemper Lane, Cincinnati, OH 45206
Please include contact information with your response. SOTENI will confirm by e-mail receipt of your application. An interview by phone or face-to-face may be requested. SOTENI, a small non-profit organization, is not able to offer paid internships in most cases. To intern abroad you must be at least 18 years of age.
Requirements
· Enthusiasm
· Commitment
· Responsibility
· Flexibility
· Kindness
Major Steps in Process
· Prospective intern submits application letter with resume to SI with non-refundable application fee
· SI reviews application answers and resume
· SI interviews applicant by phone or face-to-face
After acceptance:
· SI finalizes dates and cost of internship
· Applicant returns signed of Letter of Agreement and deposit
· SI orients intern in Cincinnati
· Intern departs for Kenya
Expectations for Interns Working in Kenya
· Undergo orientation at SI Headquarters. During this period, the intern will learn more about SOTENI history, strengths and limitations
· Take one large box of donations to Kenya
· Learn the basics of AIDS prevention strategies
· Learn essential skills for functioning in Kenya villages
· Report to SOTENI Kenya staff on the progress of their projects and work while in Kenya
· Write and submit a detailed report, toward the end of experience, to SOTENI International and SOTENI Kenya on projects and work, outcomes and experience
· Complete and return an evaluation form on the internship program
· Participate in debriefing in Cincinnati
· Be an ambassador for SOTENI organization and mission, as personal time allows
Fees
SOTENI is unable to offer paid Internships in most cases. Fees are based on your length of stay. Please note these fee examples are approximations and actual figures will vary due to exchange rates and cost fluctuations:
· 3-week internship — $1350
· 6-week internship — $1850
· 3-month internship — $3100
Responsibilities of Intern
· Fees – the total covers international airfare, SOTENI administration, training, supervision, housing and food
· Letter of Agreement (submitted with deposit)
· Transportation to and from Cincinnati
· Necessary immunizations
· Visa
· Insurance (as intern decides may be necessary above provided insurance)
· Personal items — toiletries, bottled water, souvenirs, entertainment
· Personal communication by telephone, e-mail, post, etc.
Responsibilities of SOTENI International
· Orientation and training vis-à-vis international development, HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, community mobilization, epidemiology, cross-cultural experience, and other pertinent areas
· Housing and food while in Cincinnati for orientation and debriefing
· Travel arrangements to Kenya and travel insurance
· Overall supervision of all activities related to internship
Responsibilities of SOTENI Kenya
· Room, board, and hospitality during work in Kenya
· Orientation and training of vis-à-vis Kenyan history, culture, politics and anthropology; local HIV/AIDS epidemiology; safety and other pertinent areas
· Supervision of all activities related to work while in Kenya
· All work-related transportation
Please contact Randie for more information at randie@soteni.org, or check out our website at www.soteni.org.