Initiatives
VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
HOW WE WORK
We offer volunteers a platform to learn, empower, experience, enjoy and work towards ‘setting up structures’, all of which have the potential to bring positive outcomes in the local community. We work with existing local projects as we believe they are in the best position to determine which areas volunteers will have a great impact.
We have set-up and aim to run our organization in a way that gives both short term and long-term benefit to people in the community. We achieve this through empowering local projects to arrive at sustainable solutions that are suitable to them, as well encouraging and supporting volunteers based on their skills and interests to work with these projects in accomplishing their goals.
LOCATION AND DURATION
Our volunteer program is based in Nairobi, Kenya with volunteer placements currently located at Mukuru kwa Njenga one of the largest slums in the East of Nairobi. The duration of the volunteer placement ranges from a minimum of one week to twelve weeks. The volunteer program starts on the 1st and 15th of each month.
PROJECT & PROGRAMS
VULNERABLE CHILDREN
There are more than a million orphans and vulnerable children in Kenya and they receive very limited resources and support. These children are rescued from surroundings that have been affected by poverty, HIV/AIDS, and child abuse.
There is a great need for supporting institutions that takes care of these children who crave all the love and attention they miss from their parents and families. The children in these homes generally range from 3 years old to 18 years old.
Monday – Friday a day in the life of a volunteer is the same but may be altered depending on the chosen project. The routine may be similar, but every day is different! You will learn, create bonds with children and share your experiences with those surrounding you.
7.00 AM Volunteers are to wake up, have breakfast, and prepare for a fun filled day on project!
8.00 AM Leave house, drive to your chosen project and meet with project staff.
9.00 AM Supporting the teachers with English lessons and creative activities for all the children. Assisting the mums in the kitchen, laundry and general running of the home.
12.30 PM Lunch: Before you have your lunch, you can help plate up and serve the children’s food.
1.15 PM It’s time for afternoon activities that volunteers have chosen to do. Leading games/sport sessions in the afternoon.
2.30 PM – 3.00 PM Pick Up: Volunteers will be picked up and taken straight back to the house. You are free then do what you like whether it is relaxing or catching up with family back home.
Evening Volunteers get together with the host family and have dinner, sharing experiences and creating new friendships!!
Saturday and Sunday Volunteers are free to do what they want during the weekend. You can have much needed down time or explore more of Kenya and your surrounding area. Volunteers usually go on day trips or weekend trips visiting the beach or visiting one of Africa’s main attractions the Maasai Mara!!
TEACHING
While the free primary education program introduced by the Kenyan government for public schools has, increased access to education especially among the less fortunate households, additional costs such as school uniforms, shoes, meals etc. continue to hold back the educational achievement of many children. As a result, the provision of quality education is still a challenge.
Goals
- To offer volunteers an opportunity to take part in building a strong education foundation of these children.
- To improve both access and quality of education.
- To support the teachers by giving one to one attention to children who need it, and in so doing advance their development.
Volunteer involvement areas?
- Supporting with teaching of the children e.g. Basic English lessons, number work.
- Involved in carrying out creative arts and crafts.
- Leading games/sport sessions in the afternoon.
- Assist in developing teaching aids and resources.
Volunteer Schedule
Monday – Friday a day in the life of a volunteer is the same but may be altered depending on the chosen project. The routine may be similar, but every day is different! You will learn, create bonds with children and share your experiences with those surrounding you.
7.00 AM Volunteers are to wake up, have breakfast, and prepare for a fun filled day on project!
8.00 AM Leave house, drive to your chosen project and meet with project staff.
9.00 AM Support with teaching of the children e.g. Basic English lessons, number work and colouring. Involved in carrying out creative arts and crafts. Assist in developing teaching aids and resources.
12.30 PM Lunch: Before you have your lunch, you can help plate up and serve the children’s food.
1.15 PM It’s time for afternoon activities, that volunteers have chosen to do. Leading games/sport sessions in the afternoon.
2.30 PM – 3.00 PM Pick Up: Volunteers will be picked up and taken straight back to the house. You are free then do what you like whether it is relaxing or catching up with family back home.
Evening Volunteers get together with the host family and have dinner, sharing experiences and creating new friendships!!
Saturday and Sunday Volunteers are free to do what they want during the weekend. You can have much needed down time or explore more of Kenya and your surrounding area. Volunteers usually go on day trips or weekend trips visiting the beach or visiting one of Africa’s main attractions the Maasai Mara!!
Program Package
ARRIVAL & ORIENTATION
Once you sign up to the program, you will be required to book your flights to arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport(JKIA), Nairobi. On arrival you will be received and get picked up by a member of our staff and then transferred to the volunteer accommodation. If you are in Kenya prior to your volunteer placement, we can arrange for you to be picked up a day before the start date.
Orientation is done by our volunteer coordinator in the morning you start your placement. This will give you an idea of what you will be doing daily and what is expected of you. An induction to your chosen project will also be given to enable you to have an idea of what you will be doing daily on the projects and what sort of things you can bring to the projects. Having an induction will also prepare you on the cultural differences you will get to experience.
ACCOMMODATION & MEALS
Volunteers are housed in homestays with local families, who have been carefully chosen, vetted and recommended by our coordinating team in Kenya. This provides you with an exciting opportunity to experience living with the local people, try local food and as well get to learn their culture and language.
Volunteers will stay in a three/ four bed shared rooms with access to electricity, running water and bathrooms. Please note occasionally there are water shortage and electricity outage. Some of the homes have internet connection and if not, you can get Wi-Fi access from the local restaurants/ internet cafes close by.
Three meals in a day are provided to volunteers by the host family and that is breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you have any dietary requirement, please let us know when you are signing up for the program so that we can plan accordingly.