Local photographer on volunteer trip to village in Kenya

Local photographer Liam Kidney is currently working on a community development project with local people in the Kenyan village of Londiani. He left Ireland last Saturday, July 25, and will work in Kenya for the next three weeks. Liam is working as a volunteer with 70 other volunteers with the Irish charity Friends of Londiani, living in very basic conditions without running water or electricity. This is Liam's second volunteer placement in Kenya and during his time there he is working on projects that will help the Kenyan villagers become the authors of their own development. This will involve organising Health Awareness Days, constructing buildings, installing rainwater tanks and running education courses on HIV, AIDS, sanitation and malaria. All these projects will be done in partnership with the local government and community organisations. Friends of Londiani is an Irish charity working in the Londiani area of Kenya since 2002 in the key areas of Health, Education and Water. The 2009 summer project is called Harambee. This is a Swahili word for "togetherness" and together with the local communities volunteers work towards a better future. Friends of Londiani is a volunteer-led Irish charity that depends on fundraising events around the country. Every donation counts and is much appreciated in Kenya and if you would like to make a donation please contact Friends of Londiani on 021 4662730 or info@friendsoflondiani.com. Kenya was in the news in early 2008 due to the post-election violence and Londiani is an area of Kenya that was badly affected. It was featured on Irish radio and TV and former Minister of State Liz O'Donnell visited Londiani during that time for the RTÉ programme Far Away Up Close. Since then the local people have been working hard to restore their life. They have shown resilience and determination to bring about these changes in their community for the sake of their children. They are a very welcoming community and this volunteer placement will provide many opportunities for cultural exchange and shared learning.