Volunteer Action for Change Kenya

Founded in 2014 as a development organization, VACK has been guided by three basic principles: go where the need is greatest; support local initiatives by Kenyans in conceiving and implementing projects; and integrate activities across sectors. VACK sought to find durable solutions to development challenges facing our communities in the wake of this and subsequent humanitarian crises. With our operations in over ten counties, VACK supports more than 20 projects. Projects have historically been in the areas of education, health and HIV/AIDS, agriculture and food security, humanitarian and emergency assistance, water resources, peace and conflict resolution, as well as democracy and governance, education and micro-enterprise development. VACK also has always sought to increase public awareness and understanding of Kenyan development strides in the international sphere.

VISION: VACK aspires to be a premier Kenya-focused organization working in partnership with community initiatives to build sustainable, healthy and productive communities, and a leading voice in Kenyan development and policy issues.

MISSION: VACK serves to improve the quality of life through sustainable service interventions of the local communities’ initiatives in Kenya.

VALUES
VACK works in partnership with local community initiatives to achieve healthy and productive societies. We place communities at the center of our development activities as we believe that only through strong communities can Kenya feed itself, appropriately exploit its natural resources, educate, care for and protect its children, promote the economic wellbeing of Kenyan people and live in peace. As such, VACK is committed to the following 7 key values in its work and organizational life. These values serve as our working norms and establish the behavioral guidelines for successful organizational performance.

Excellence in Performance: VACK works to ensure that its programs are high quality, effective and efficient in nature. They are results-oriented, achieving both development effectiveness and desired results; and are gender and age sensitive as well.
Partnership: VACK works respectfully in collaboration with government, communities, the private sector and donors, bringing together the unique resources of all to achieve common objectives. VACK enjoys unique access to decision-makers given our long experience and track record of development effectiveness.
Teamwork: VACK board and staff work on the basis of mutual respect and accountability, dialogue and collaboration. In our work we seek to understand the views and ideas of others, as well as to recognize the positive contributions of each person, so as to build strong relationships within and beyond VACK.
Integrity: VACK consistently works in a spirit of mutual trust, honesty, transparency and accountability.
Open communications: VACK is committed to sharing information in a respectful and collegial manner. The timely and regular exchange of quality information – between headquarters and field offices, board members and our partners – provides the basis for informed, consultative decision-making in our operations.
Diversity: VACK seeks to have a workforce that reflects inclusiveness and is diverse by race, gender and geography.
Heritage: VACK takes pride in being a development organization working exclusively on local community development that is principally led by Kenyans. In addition, VACK remains committed to promoting the leadership of Kenyans in Kenya’s development.

VACK offers the following four kinds of Programs:
1. Gender and Cultural Awareness: The program examines social and cultural understanding of gender concept. Through empowerment, capacity building, awareness and advocacy, we create learning opportunities for the youth and adults on the crucially important role a society and its culture plays in the construction and maintenance of gender norms & sexual practices.
2. Youth Development & Empowerment: Every young person therefore deserves the opportunity to realize his or her full potential. Our programs are catalysts for change that help youth learn, work and lead. This program aims at enhancing skills development, critical awareness and creating opportunities for youths. We aim to mentor youth in becoming active and responsible members of our society through skills development and innovative approach to addressing the socioeconomic challenges. Further, we design capacity building and empowerment programs to support youth to demand better and sustainable services, and accountability from policy makers through advocacy, empowerment and awareness.
3. Environmental Sustainability: The program examines the social understanding of the sustainable development and endeavors to equip youth with an understanding of the current and future social, economic and environmental issues; developing an open mind on challenges to sustainable development and foundational knowledge, skills and attitudes within this field.
4. Peace Building & Conflict Transformation: The program examines social, cultural and individual understanding of peace building process and improves youth perception on how to transform conflict without resorting to violence. Further, focuses on addressing challenges of violent conflicts, discrimination and youth knowledge gaps in the field of Peace & Conflict Transformation.
5. Career Development and Mentorship: We prepare young people to be healthy, productive, and engaged citizens. We believe that educated, employed, and engaged young people possess the power to solve the toughest challenges facing communities. Under this program we have career guidance and exploration, job preparedness, skills matching, mentorship, entrepreneurship and life skills development
6. Volunteer Engagements: Volunteers have continuously played a key role in the implementation of our development activities across Kenya. Volunteering in Kenya is a unique blend of community service and cultural submergence as Kenya is a conglomerate of different culture, languages, traditions and people. Volunteering in Kenya is an amazing opportunity to experience the traditional local cultures, the rich way of life and support a good cause. Are humanitarian projects your passion? Many volunteer projects and schools across the country need the help of unskilled, skilled and experienced volunteers to assist in childcare, academic development, conservation, skills and organizational development. From the capital Nairobi to remote villages, you decide where the volunteer work in Kenya will lead you!