ICT Campus Construction Supervision Help in Kenya

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tartup Lions (Lodwar, Kenya) is looking for a CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISION VOLUNTEER

• with a background and experience in construction, engineering, architecture, or alike to locally supervise the extension of the Startup Lions ICT Campus in the construction of e.g. among other housing units, teaching buildings or sports facilities
• starting date: as soon as possible for a period of at least two to six months at Loropio, Western Shore of Lake Turkana, Kenya
• full board and lodging provided.

GOAL OF THE PROJECT The goal of the Startup Lions project is to empower young adults to become entrepreneurs on the global digital market as webdevelopers, designers and animators. For its high degree of social innovation, the project has been selected as the Google Impact Challenge Winner in Africa in 2018. THE CHALLENGE Rural areas across Africa (such as Turkana, North Kenya) often have poor infrastructure, limited access to markets, very few formal job opportunities, and consequently suffer from high levels of unemployment and little opportunity for moving out of poverty. Turkana in particular has infertile soil that does not support sustainable agriculture, with the majority of food supplies having to be transported from cities several hours away. Local businesses including basket weaving, mechanical repairs and small kiosks exist, however none of these scale to provide widespread employment opportunities or meaningful wages. And yet, with around 900.000 inhabitants, Turkana holds an untapped potential of human talent with the chance of having internet access even in some of the most remote areas. OUR CONCEPT Our program is structured into three subsequent units:

1. "Learning Lions" trains talented and motivated young adults with high value skills in the areas of webdevelopment, graphic design and animation.
2. The students from the educational program are then invited to stay on campus as trainees of "Digital Lions", our fairtrade IT-outsourcing agency. Here, they start working with international customers and gather hands-on business experience.
3. When the Lions feel confident in the contact with clients, the incubator "Startup Lions" provides them with the necessary funds and tools so that they can launch their own start-up and become economically independent.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR? We have managed to secure funding from Google, SAP and the Bavarian state intended to enable the construction of a new, custom-tailored ICT campus in Loropio on the western shores of Lake Turkana. The campus, which was planned specifically for our IT training purposes, also offers a number of other key advantages. The construction of housing units, in addition to the teaching buildings, ofers students and digital freelancers a nearby, reasonably priced housing option instead of the previously used, overpriced and often distant flats, where the rental income primarily benefits an already well-off upper class. The buildings designed by the highly renowned Kéré Architecture office were optimally tailored to the needs of an IT campus in the semi-desert of Turkana: Innovative construction methods (windows, ventilation, second roof) are creating working conditions in which both (wo)man and machine can work optimally. The arrangement of the main ICT buildings reminds of an oasis that encloses a shaded court functioning as the entrance to the campus as well as gathering space with trees and shading elements. We believe that the learning process does not end after leaving the classrooms. For this reason we created multiple common spaces on the shaded rooftops, accessible by everybody, favouring meetings and exchange ideas. The campus is facing downhill overlooking lake Turkana. Special facilities such as a day-care centre for children are yet to be built and should give young women in particular the opportunity not to be forced by starting a family to give up their education and work. We have recently succeeded in extending the land transfer by the local government authorities for a further 50 years, so that we can ensure that the campus is operated in our interest in the long-term. The construction works of the main ICT building were successfully completed in 2020. In the next years, we are to grow our vision and extend the campus facilities step by step. YOUR PROFILE Ideally, you bring the following mindset, skills and experiences with you:

• You are trained in (civil) engineering, construction, architecture, or alike
• You have experience in supervising construction processes
• You have a hands-on mentality
• You are prepared that construction processes in rural Kenya might differ from what you are used to. In rural Kenya you may need to adapt, listen, and engage in mutual teaching.
• You have a good command of English
• You are ready to stay in simple living conditions.
• You are willing to experience a completely different culture

LIVING CONDITIONS AND WHAT TO BRING The Learning Lions Program offers you the opportunity to live in one of the most remote regions of the world. The social environment and setting of our project is very dynamic and friendly, yet it goes without saying that you will not live in luxurious conditions. You will live and work within our campus site, in an already build volunteer guesthouse. You will have your own bedroom, yet share the house with other volunteers. The house offers basic sanitary facilities as well as a joint kitchen and a living area. We reassure you that it will be a life-enriching, and maybe even life-changing, experience for you from a professional and personal point of view. Apart from your laptop, some light clothing (remember, it's up to 42 degrees up here) and good portion of motivation, open-mindedness, and curiosity, you should not need anything else. Of course, we are able to assist with any organizational matters in case of questions nd will be in close contact once you have decided to join us.

Check out our organization in Lodwar, Kenia, our vision and mission on YouTube!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1TwraHKsXw

Or visit our organization’s website!

https://www.learninglions.org