Our Projects
WASH & CLIMATE CHANGE
Kikurukurr Primary School Dry Toilet Sensitization Project
From September – November 2021, The Smiling Bushig, as part of the Dusty Footprint Journeys Group, participated in the International Climate Action Challenge organized and hosted by Green Team Academy, a non-profit based out of Denver Colorado www.greenteamacademy.org.
And a Challenge it was indeed as we are remote, had zero solar power, very limited internet to communicate, staff was very busy as it was exam time, and more!
The Green Team provided great support and the teachers and kids loved the simplicity of this waterless toilet & waste management system, constructed from free locally availalbe materials!
We are also very pleased to say: we are one of 2021 Award Winners! A great big shout out to the Green Team Academy and the staff and kids of Kikurukurr Primary School!
RESILIENT LIVELIHOODS
Kikurukurr Youth Furniture Making Workshop
Due to high youth unemployment in Kenya in general and in Kikurukurr, Maji Moto specifically, The Smiling Bushpig collaborates with vulnerable youths to teach them new skills and provide work readiness training.
Although some youths have some education, many are illiterate. In this area both out-of-school youths and illiterate youths typically tend to either their family livestock or to livestock of others for a very small wage.
With modernity creeping in and livestock dying from prolonged droughts, youths seek to upskill to improve their livelihoods. These guys really had fun building their first piece!
The women and girls are very keen to learn furniture making, but their daily duties make it difficult to find the time. We are working with them to structure workshops so they may learn a new skill as well.
VOLUNTEERING
WWOOF'ers, WorkAwayers, Help-Ex'ers, Interns, Specialists..........Welcome!
The Smiling Bushpig is always looking for friends who’d love to lend a hand around the place, be it with a specific skill or just because they want to help out in general, with cooking, maintenance/handy(wo)man, helping out with guests, bartending, looking after the animals, research data collection analysis etc. It’s a cheap way to travel and learn about a new culture! If there are no ongoing or new projects listed, just call us or drop us an email anyway……there is always something with which we need help.
Our volunteer package includes basic accommodation in a small tent/or in the staff quarters though we encourage you to bring your own tent, depending on how many volunteers there are.
Included: basic accommodation, 3 simple local meals a day incl. tea/coffee/water, bucket showers, dry compost/pit latrine toilets, pillow & pillow case, blanket, single mattrass, mattrass sheet cover.
Not included: Visa support, flights, taxi’s, other travel costs to villages/towns/parks etc., soda’s, calling/sms airtime, internet bundles, specialty foods (gluten free, lactose intolerant, soda’s, juice, etc.).
Things to bring: positive attitude, sense of humor, lots of patience, an open mind, tent, warm sleeping bag (at night temperatures can drop to 10 Celsius), solar flash light/rechargeable batteries, mobile phone, powerbank, small travel solar panel, sunblock, hat, sunglasses, light-colored clothes, long-sleeved cotton shirts/blouses, long pants/trousers, socks, sneakers/hiking boots, shower slippers, toothbrush/toiletries, bath towel & wash cloth, yoga/sports accessories.
