Social care projects are available with some of Kenya's
poorest and most disadvantaged children, many of whom have become orphans
after the devastating HIV/AIDS virus has affected their
families.
You will work with several orphanages and community projects aimed at providing
support, informal education, medical assistance and
food.
Such projects are aimed at helping improve the
quality of life for children facing extreme poverty. You'll
work with children in some of Kenya's poorest communities.
This is a worthwhile social care project aimed at helping those who need it the
most. You don't need any qualifications to do
this project, just a love for children and a concern about their welfare.
ABOUT THE PROJECT:
There is a vast number of
children living in Kenya that have been orphaned by the HIV/AIDS virus.
These children are often left without surviving relatives that can look
after them and with no means to look after themselves they are forced to
live on the streets. Such a life can lead to drugs, abuse and extreme
poverty.
Several
orphanages and community centres in Kenya
have started to develop their own initiatives to
provide support and care for some of the most destitute children. Current
programmes include community outreach, feeding programmes and basic
education.
One particular centre we work
with cares for over 250 children and houses over 100 of these orphans in
dormitory rooms at the centre.This centre
encourages children from the poorest areas to attend daily classes, where
they receive non-formal education, vocational education, medical care and
a good lunch every day.
Meals are usually prepared for
by the children, which teaches them vital skills. In centres like this
vocational training such as wood craft, making soap, and tailoring has
seen over 25 girls develop enough skills to progress to the working world.
These girls are now able to support themselves.
The main objective of
these
projects is to improve the lives of street children in any way possible.
Your work helps the teachers and carers with the day to
day running of the centres, as well as assisting with some basic care of
the children.
For example, you may help teach
the children with non-formal education, which could range from
basic English tuition, sports
coaching or vocational training.
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.
At least once a week care workers and
volunteers from most support centres go onto the streets of Kenya to offer
medical assistance and food to some of the poorer people. These
are often children who have been excluded from other awareness programs and
your assistance is needed in creating awareness of important issues like
HIV/AIDS.
You will also try to educate the street children and their families with
the aid of play, music, drama, providing medical supportand by holding discussion groups. The level of education of the children is
generally very low - it will be up to you and the team leader to find out
how best to use your skills. This may mean taking sport and game lessons or
offering care for children who need medical support. This could also be in
the form of informal English or vocational teaching which is one of the
biggest privileges to receive.
The children have a fantastic spirit and you
will be immediately welcomed. You may form very
strong bonds with the children that you meet - both children and their carers
are incredibly grateful for the help and support received. Their infectious
smiles will make it hard to leave!
Some of the projects we work with also provide home care to victims of
illnesses such as AIDS. Your support may be in the form of just a friendly
chat, or may cover more practical aspects such as helping to clean houses,
cooking food or offering medical support.
My family were fantastic and went
beyond their duties to make me welcome.
Njeri [Travellers' Mombasa
Organiser] was always helpful
should I need anything." Caroline Chadwick, on her accommodation in Mombasa
Your accommodation will vary, but you will most
likely live
with a
local
family. This will give you the opportunity to experience the true African
experience from the inside and
not just as a "tourist" on the surface of the country.
You will most likely be placed close to your work, which will enable you to go home
for lunch if you want to. Many Kenyans choose to eat locally for lunch on roast
meat called "nyama choma" - a delicacy that you'll talk about for a long time!
Mombasa is the second most important city in Kenya
(after Nairobi) It is the main
port for Kenya and the surrounding countries, as well
as being the oldest town.The pace of life is relaxed and people of Mombasa enjoy themselves
(particularly on Friday and Saturday nights!). A spectacular coral reef run
for 480 km along the palm-fringed coastline.
The waters below are filled with marine life,
while up above a huge diversity of birdlife occupies
the mangrove forests or overhanging cliffs.
The beaches of Kenya have become one of the
world's great playgrounds, with plenty of opportunities for water sports or
simply sunbathing. More than half of the country's international hotels are
based along the Coast. The sun shines all year round
and the diversity of activities is unequalled.
Another factor that makes
Mombasa a wonderful place to visit is the exciting nightlife. There are
many nightclubs situated along the North and South Coasts of the town, all of
which have different themes that cater to different crowds. Many hotels also
have their own entertainment events. In the heart of the town is where most hospitals,
businesses, banks, shops and markets are situated. Being a small town
(about half a million population), Mombasa does not have a subway system.
However one can easily get around using the local bus service; or for a “truly
Kenyan experience” a ride in a “Matatu”- which is quite a unique adventure.
"I learnt about the country and the
people who live there. I think more so
than a lot of other volunteers because I was on my own and therefore tended
to mix with the locals rather than other volunteers. Living with a family
also encouraged this."
Mombasa is the second most important city in Kenya
(after Nairobi). It is the main
port for Kenya and the surrounding countries, as well
as being the oldest town.The pace of life is relaxed and people of Mombasa enjoy themselves
(particularly on Friday and Saturday nights!).
A spectacular coral reef run
for 480 km along the palm-fringed coastline.
The waters below are filled with marine life,
while up above a huge diversity of birdlife occupies
the mangrove forests or overhanging cliffs.
The beaches of Kenya have become one of the
world's great playgrounds, with plenty of opportunities for water sports or
simply sunbathing. More than half of the country's international hotels are
based along the Coast. The sun shines all year round
and the diversity of activities is unequalled.
Another factor that makes
Mombasa a wonderful place to visit is the exciting nightlife. There are
many nightclubs situated along the North and South Coasts of the town, all of
which have different themes that cater to different crowds. Many hotels also
have their own entertainment events
Most hospitals,
businesses, banks, shops and markets are situated in the
heart of the town. Being a small town
(about half a million population), Mombasa does not have a subway system.
However, one can easily get around using the local bus service; or for a “truly
Kenyan experience” a ride in a “Matatu”- which is quite a unique adventure
You have the option to arrange your
own flights or we can assist you with your flight arrangements. If you would
like us to do this for you, we will liaise with you regarding available flights
and dates to suit you. All arrangements for your flight bookings/payments will
be fulfilled by Murray Rogers Travel Ltd., ATOL No. 6856. (Read more about Murray Rogers Travel Ltd.)
Where possible, we arrange for two or more people to travel on the
same flight and we will let you have the names and telephone numbers of other
volunteers on your flight, so that you can chat to each other or even meet up
before leaving for your placement.
Where possible, all flights we arrange for you
have changeable return tickets because many of our volunteers choose to extend
their stay once they are in their destination country. Changeable return tickets
enable you to do so, within the limits of your visa and the level of your air
ticket, of course. If you choose to book your own flights, you should endeavour
to get a changeable ticket. We meet you at the airport regardless of whether you
make your own travel arrangements or not.
Support: You'll fly into Mombasa where you'll be met by
our local Manager Njery Wathika or a member of her staff. She will take you
into Mombasa and get you settled into your accommodation. You will then
receive an induction into the country, and be taken to your placement
and introduced to everyone.
Volunteer with baby elephant
VISAS:. In countries where visas or
immigration documents are required, we'll send you all the necessary forms and
information and make the process very easy for you.
To read about the extensiveSupport & Backup
we provide in our countries, please
click here.
We can also arrange your flight
dates to give you additional time at the end of your project for travelling
around and sightseeing - this is a fascinating and wondrous country!
PRICES
To see the Prices of this project and all
our other projects in Kenya, please
click here
Prices
include
Food & accommodation while on your project,
2 T-shirts, if required
for your project
All support and backup
during your programme
Meeting you at the
nearest airport, where appropriate, but exclude international travel.
.
+44 01903 502595
