Hi everyone! I’m Milena, and I recently participated in the European Solidarity Corps Humanitarian Aid project ECHAV – Empowering Vulnerable Communities Through Humanitarian Aid Volunteering in Kuth Awendo, Kenya.
For three weeks, I had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with an amazing team of international and local volunteers, diving deep into sustainability through organic agriculture and permaculture. Along the way, I gained a profound understanding of the local culture, food, environment, and how small actions can create significant impacts.
A Typical Day: Planting Seeds of Change
Every day in Kuth Awendo was a mix of learning, hands-on work, and connecting with the community. Mornings began in the fields, where we planted trees, raised vegetable beds, and learned about permaculture. This wasn’t just physical labor—it was a chance to understand the land, tackle challenges like water scarcity, and see how agriculture can drive resilience in rural communities. Afternoons were spent visiting schools to raise awareness about sustainable agriculture, particularly among children, as they are key to building a sustainable future. During the initial days of the project, we worked together to prepare a brochure on best practices for preventing droughts and floods, which included instructions for making organic fertilizer and explained the importance of trees in maintaining the water cycle—a crucial element in a region where water scarcity is a pressing issue. Later, we engaged directly with students, planting trees together and fostering discussions about sustainability, intercultural exchange, and community action. We distributed the brochure we had prepared, ensuring that the students and their families could continue learning long after our project ended.
Teamwork and Community
Living and working with 10 European and 7 local volunteers was an enriching and eye-opening experience. Life in Kenya follows a different rhythm compared to what we’re used to in Europe: water scarcity, limited electricity, and challenging transportation reshaped our daily routines and taught us resilience and adaptability.
Mornings started early, often with helping the cooks prepare breakfast and washing dishes. One of the first tasks each day was lighting a fire for cooking and fetching water to refill the main containers in the facility. Afterward, we headed to the fields to plant tomatoes, beans, corn, and pumpkins. Around lunchtime, we returned home to share a meal, rest during the hottest hours, and then head to schools in the afternoons. The kindness of the organizers and the local community, coupled with the great atmosphere within our team, made me feel at home despite being far from my own country. Sharing meals, work, stories, and jokes strengthened our bonds and highlighted the beauty of collective effort.
The Kuth Awendo community was incredibly welcoming, whether during school visits, community meetings, or village events. From interacting with children at a nearby kindergarten to engaging with curious villagers who wanted to learn more about our cultures and work, the warmth of the people left a lasting impression on me.
Achievements to Be Proud Of
At the end of the three weeks, we were incredibly proud of what we had accomplished:
- Planted over 3,362 trees across schools and model farms, including species like pine eucalyptus, grevillea, oranges, and papaya.
- Reached hundreds of students through school outreach programs, fostering awareness about environmental sustainability through discussions and hands-on activities.
- Established demonstrational seedbeds, paving the way for continued growth and learning in the community.
These achievements didn’t just impact the local community—they also gave me valuable knowledge about permaculture and sustainable practices that I plan to implement in my own community.
Exploring Kenya
While we volunteered from Monday to Friday, the weekends were free for exploration and relaxation. Together with the other volunteers—who quickly became close friends—we planned activities like early-morning hikes in the rainforest to watch the sunrise and even a safari. For the first time in my life, I saw elephants, zebras, and giraffes roaming freely in their natural habitat.
A Transformative Experience
This experience has given me memories I’ll cherish forever and has fundamentally changed how I view sustainability and community action. I am now inspired to promote permaculture, community gardening, and sustainable practices in my own community.
To anyone considering this project: don’t hesitate! Jump in with an open heart and mind—you’ll learn, grow, and contribute in ways that will surprise you.
The combination of meaningful work, cultural immersion, and personal growth made my time in Kuth Awendo truly unforgettable.
If you want to know more about volunteering, click here 🙂
