In Kenya, many children and young adults have become orphans after losing their parents and families to HIV/AIDS and Malaria. On this Care project, you'll work with some of Kenya's poorest and most disadvantaged children, providing them with care and support, as well as informal education and any other assistance that is needed. This is a very worthwhile project that is aimed at helping those who need it the most.

‘Thank you for your help I had an AMAZING life changing time and looking forward to going back at end of this year again once I’ve saved up!’ Laura Parsons

►SUMMARY FACTFILE
Start Dates	All year round - you choose your start and finish dates!
Duration	Minimum stay 2 weeks and up to 1 year, subject to visa requirements
Requirements	No qualifications needed, just a big dose of enthusiasm!
Price	From £895 / US $1,345 for 2 weeks, ranging to £2,095 / US $3,145 for 12 weeks. Full Price List and other Currencies
What's included	►Accommodation ►Food ►Meeting you at the Airport ►Transfer to your accommodation ►Transport to and from you project every day ►Full pre-departure support ►Local in-country team support and backup ►24-hr emergency support ►Two free T-shirts.
What's not included	Flights, Insurance, Cost of Visas (if a visa is required, but we'll provide necessary documents and assistance), Return transfer to airport.
Who can do this Project?	All our projects are open to all nationalities. Unless otherwise stated, you need to be aged between 17 and 70+

Also on this page:

• Accommodation

• About Diani

• Travel and Support

"You go there expecting to help them and change their life, but what I discovered is that they had changed my life more than I could ever explain!!" Desiree Ochs

PROJECT OVERVIEW
There are many, many children living in Kenya that have been orphaned by the HIV/AIDS virus and by Malaria. These children are often left without surviving relatives that can look after them and with no means to look after themselves. We work with a number of different orphanages with young children through to 18 year olds. You may help with all ages. If you prefer a specific age group, we will try and arrange that for you.

The main objective of these projects is to improve the lives of street children in any way possible. Your work helps the carers with the day to day running of the homes/centres, as well as assisting with some basic care of the children. The other important aspect of the placement is to give attention to many of the children who have come from very traumatic backgrounds by interacting with them in an informal setting. Anyone with any medical knowledge would also be greatly appreciated at the Centres' dispensaries.

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:

• An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into Africa and the many diverse cultures in Kenya.

• The enormous satisfaction of helping disadvantaged children and knowing that you made a difference to them.

• New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.

• An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market

• And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!
   

WORK CONTENT:
Generally the type of work you will be allocated will depend to an extent on your own abilities and capabilities, which is understandable given that you will be dealing with children’s health and safety. You will normally sit down with the supervisor when you arrive to set up an informal timetable for your placement. The hours may vary, but normally you will work from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., from Monday to Friday with the option of working weekends. You may also prefer to work mornings or afternoons only, which can be catered for.

It is difficult to be specific about your day-to-day, but you will get a good general feel of the orphanage by working and/or observing. The level of education of the children is generally very poor so you should have discussions with your supervisor to ascertain the best use of your time and skills with the different groups of children. But the most important thing you can do is to give the children lots of love, care and attention.

You'll be given help and direction from the staff, but your workload will depend on you and what you put into it. Your work as a volunteer may include:

• Preparing food for the children and helping them eat.

• General cleaning, washing dishes, etc.

• Helping the permanent staff care for the children.

• Bathing the children and washing their clothes

• Organizing and facilitating games and plays for the children.

• Playing with the children - here you can use your imagination and involve them in lots of different activities

• Helping some of the children with their homework.

• Getting involved in drawing and painting or even music if you have skills in that area.

• Working with the younger children/babies – helping to change them, feed and bath them.

• If you are interested and feel you have the ability, you may also be asked to help with arranging fundraising for the institute.

What will the local community gain from your assistance?

• As a result of your volunteer work, the orphanage, the workers and the society at large will benefit directly or indirectly by having the opportunity to interact with you and all our volunteers, thus learning about foreign cultures and the wider world

• They will have access to a free workforce and invaluable service which you provide them as a volunteer.

• Their traditional knowledge and skills in care work are supplemented with initiatives, skills and ideas which they will get from you and all our volunteers. Fresh eyes and a different way of doing things can be of tremendous benefit to them.

• Lots of love and care which is fundamental for the growth and development of the children.

Got any questions? Please email us: info@travellersworldwide.com

“My time at the project was wonderful. I enjoyed every minute of the children and the teachers. I actually didn't want to come back here to the US. Two weeks was defiantly not enough time. Kenya was beautiful and everyone is overly friendly. Before I left, the children wrote me letters and pictures and brought a tear to my eye. I have made so many memories and I'm so glad there is a program such as yours Travellers that allowed me to make these memories. You go there expecting to help them and change their life, but what I discovered is that they had changed my life more than I could every explain!!“ Desiree Ochs

The Bridge The Gap Foundation (Travellers Charity arm) is starting a campaign to raise funds to buy clothes, food and medicines for the children in this very poor Orphanage. If you’d like to donate, no matter how little, please go here.

 
Got any questions? Please email us:
info@travellersworldwide.com


Enhance your Programme with some exciting activities:

Your accommodation is located in Diani, close to the beach, and your accommodation may vary depending on the project you chose, you will usually live with a host family.

The opportunity to live and immerse yourself in the culture by living with a family can be the most enjoyable part of your placement. Many volunteers have 'adopted' their host families (and been adopted by them) and they stay in touch with each other for many years afterwards.

The hosts are all very nice! Many of our volunteers cry buckets when they leave, because they feel like they’re leaving home. Living with a family in the local culture is a true cultural experience that you cannot gain as a ‘tourist’.

Most host family accommodation is located no more than 1.5km away from the beach.
Host family homes all have the basic facilities, but some may also have TV and Radio and a Western style toilet – the levels of facilities will vary depending on the family’s financial position.

Depending on availability, you may be accommodated in a hostel or similar type of accommodation.
Food: Your food will be prepared for you, and if you are not going to be there for lunch then a packed lunch will be provided. Food will be a mixture of Western and delicious, exotic local meals and includes fruit, fruit juice, etc - you'll only need pocket money and funds to travel around and explore in your leisure time.

Support & Backup: To read about the excellent Support & Backup we provide before you leave and during your programme, please click here.
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Got any questions? Please email us:
info@travellersworldwide.com