World Next Door

Related Posts by Tags

• Kager, Kenya, 2010: Transformation
• When Helping Helps – Part II
• When Helping Helps – Part I
• Pressing On: Kenya, Summer 2011

Subscribe to this category

This week, I am embarking on a new adventure.  After returning five months ago from my stint as a World Next Door journalist in Kenya, I’ll soon be jumping on a plane to go back!

But this time, instead of living in the bustling capital city of Nairobi and taking excursions to Mombasa on the coast of the Indian Ocean or to the desert-like area of Marsabit in the North, I’m trekking deep into the tropical region of western Kenya that borders Lake Victoria to a remote village called Kager.  Who knew that for a country smaller than the state of Texas there could be so much to see?

I’m looking forward to the beauty of western Kenya’s mountains and sunsets!

-

The Project

Partners from Indiana get a chance to meet some micro-loan participants last year in Kager.

While I’m thrilled about this chance to discover a new side of Kenya, I’m even more excited about the people and organization that is hosting me.  Jubliee Village Project is a truly ground-breaking partnership between men and women in the village (Team Kager), and a group of ministry-minded men and women in Indianapolis (Team Indiana) who share a common vision for sustainable and holistic development in Kager.

Lots of organizations exist to fight poverty in Africa, but JVP’s model is unique for several reasons.  First, the leadership is made up entirely of volunteers.  Both the American and Kenyan team consist of people who integrate JVP work with their normal “day job” as CEOs, farmers, ministers, or health clinic administrators.

Solar lanterns are one simple solution JVP is using in Kager.

Second, because both Team Kager and Team Indiana recognize the inter-connectedness of the challenges facing Kager, their projects strive to be as holistic as possible.  So while they are implementing new farming techniques and strategies to increase food production, they are also empowering entrepreneurs through micro-development, expanding the health clinic, encouraging the local churches and making improvements everywhere from kitchens to schools to the transportation sector.  In all, JVP has 8 distinct areas of focus – no small feat for a small grassroots organization.

Third, the people of JVP take the concept of “partnership” seriously.  Each team member in the States who offers his or her expertise to the project, whether it is in the field of education, health, or technology, always works side-by-side their Kenyan counterpart who is responsible for co-creating, managing and implementing the project on the ground.  JVP’s vision is to bring sustainable development to Kager that will result in lasting change and eventually continue without the direct involvement of outside help.

What’s a Jubilee?

JVP has big dreams for Kager based on sustainable and holistic solutions.

To me, anything beginning with the word “jubilee” sounds like a party, and judging by the passion and energy with which the people of JVP approach their work, this jubilee is truly going to be an exciting time.  The title “Jubilee Village Project” recalls the Year of Jubliee instituted in ancient Israel as a time to restore justice, free oppressed people, and redistribute wealth.  The members of Team Indiana and Team Kager are working together to live out that vision in the present by ushering in a new season of justice and peace in rural Kenya, and I’m looking forward to getting a glimpse of it!

Embedded

So what’s my role in all this, you may ask?  I get to serve as JVP’s first short-term intern, and I’ll be responsible for several tasks ranging from documenting the impact of current projects with videos and photography, taking a survey to assess needs and opportunities for future projects, and building the communication capacity between the two teams.  But mainly, I’m excited to go and learn from the people of Kager, to be immersed in the life of the village, and take part in the jubilee that is unfolding there.

I’m ready for another adventure, and I hope you are, too.  Join me in these next several weeks as I jump in and discover what this jubilee is all about!