Volunteer work Cultural & free time Learning activities Accommodation & food In country staff Volunteer work Volunteer work in both districts The main fields where the volunteers are needed in this region are the following:          Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) and School Led Total Sanitation (SLTS). Various development partners and donors have given huge sums of money to provide sanitation facilities in the rural communities. Unfortunately, these projects have failed to improve the sanitary habits  of the majority of the populace, because of lack of ownership and sustainability issues. The volunteers will have the role to promote healthy practices and practices related to  hygiene in these communities          Working with children and youngsters with fewer opportunities. About 300,000 of primary school age children are still out of school. The situation is  serious with these children who are out of shool because they are likely to be living away from their biological mothers, in large (polygamous) families, orphans, internally trafficked, child brides/ mothers or disabled. The findings also show that poverty, cost of schooling, child labour, low value placed on education, illiterate parents (vicious cycle), death of parent(s), lack of nearby school, pregnancy, exploitation by relatives, poor quality of education, peer pressure, lack of law enforcement are factors responsible for school age children to be out of school          Identify allies and targets for  effective implementation of the strategy Cultural & free time The cultural life in the two districts (Kenema and Kono ) is diverse, but with some commonality like the Christian and Muslim holidays – these are celebrated and observed together. Such holidays includes Christmas, Easter, Eud-du- Fitri, Eud- du – Allah and Ramadam. Other cultural activities are naming ceremonies, initiation into secret societies like Poro and Bondo. Kono and Kenema are metropolitan towns now named as Cities by the government of Sierra Leone. There are schools; colleges; a Polytechnic college in Kenema, a constituent college of Njala University; vocational training centres in Kono. Kenema has a lot of pubs and entertainment centres prominent among them are the Capitol, Rendevouz , M and M; these centers serve both as entertainment and meeting places for friends especially at night.    CULTURE AND TRADITION: There two major culture and tradition in the Eastern Region which all visitors or foreigners must respect: Bondo Society (Women Secret Society for FGM practices) Poro Society (Men Secret Society for tradition and culture) These two cultural societies have special meeting points called “Bondo Bush” for women and “Poro Bush” for men. Those who are not members of the two groups are not allowed to enter the zones, else they will be forcefully initiated into these societies. These societies carry out their activities during dry season (November-February) of every year. During this period, the volunteers and all those who are not members of the societies will be advised to stay clear of the Bondo and Poro Bushes. Learning activities Some of the learning activities to be mentioned: Learning to work with children and youngsters with fewer opportunities in centers for non-formal education. Also, our organization is working in partnership with the Mother’s Club, Child Parliament, School Management Committee etc. There are very experienced in local issues and they will share their experience with volunteers and will provide briefings on culture and traditions. The activities will approach also issues that affect directly the youngsters lives, issues like human rights; community mobilization; project management , peace and conflict, governance and democracy; development and social work. Notwithstanding the project activities being implemented by CHIDO, the volunteers will have adequate time to participate in the followings: Participate in preparation, Action planning, implementation and evaluation of on Arrival Training. Involve in personal capacity building in education, carer development, project implementation, monitoring and evaluation Participate in all trainings organized by CHIDO for staff and community members Participate in sports activities with City Council Sports team or with school sports teams. Organize activities geared towards promotion of EVS in Sierra Leone Participate in District Youth Activities, including sports and music. Ensure open communication with mentor, EVS coordinator and CHIDO office in general Participate in any other assignment that will be assigned to him/her by the CHIDO EVS Coordinator and Mentor. Accomodation & food CHIDO has three office guest houses each in Kono, Kenema and Kailahun Districts. The volunteers have the option to live in CHIDO guest house or live with a host family. They can also live in rented houses depending on choice. A standard weekly food allowance of EU80 will be provided to each volunteer who will then decide on how to feed. Rice is the staple food in Sierra Leone, but other foods including Western dishes are easily prepared. CHIDO has well equipped offices in Kenema, Kono and Kailahun Districts. The volunteers will have access to 24 hours internet connectivity in the office. CHIDO has six (6) vehicles and 10 off road motor bikes. Volunteers will be transported to and from each district headquarter to any project site or community.  Local transportation within the district headquarters is mostly done by means of commercial motorbikes. A local transportation allowance will be provided. In county staff James Ebube EVS country coordinator chiddo3000@yahoo.com   CHIDO has well equipped offices in Kenema, Kailahun and Kono Districts. The coordinators of CHIDO projects are: Ms Abie Joy Suale – responsible with the Overall Management and Coordination of CHIDO programme and activities; James Ebube - In charge of all programme operations including Planning, Design, Implementation and Management; Victor Momoh – responsible with Fund Raising, Project Design, Field Staff Coordination and support to Programme Manager The organization has also Field Officers in the communities where the organization works with volunteers responsible with supporting them in their activities.