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TEACH UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN IN MOMBASA

KENYA

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Teach children from 3 to 16 years old in government or private schools. The schools are quite small, giving you an instant family feeing. In Kenya, unlike many other countries, the private schools are not rich – in fact, most of the schools we work with are very poor, which is why they are so grateful for your help!

Teaching projects are based in resort city of Mombasa, and you'll have plenty of time to explore the surrounding sights, particularly the famous Game Reserves in the region. 

SUMMARY FACTFILE
Start Dates All year round (except during school holidays) - 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 £695 for 2 weeks, ranging to £2,395 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 your project every day Full pre-departure support Local in-country team support and backup 24-hr emergency support Free T-shirt.
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+


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PROJECT OVERVIEW
Our teaching placements are based on the Island of Mombasa within the suburbs. Situated on the coast, Mombasa is generally renowned for its laid back culture, but the schools offer a different contrast. They ask for your support to help push the children's education forward, and to help improve teaching techniques for the teachers.

You will teach in schools where the children range from 3 years of age, up to about 16 and your help is an important part of their development. If you'd like to teach younger children, you'd be especially appreciated! Most schools in Mombasa are quite small and so you will instantly feel as though you are part of the family! They generally range from 100 to 300 pupils at one given time. This means that class sizes are also fairly small and very manageable, normally ranging from 20 to 40, although occasionally you may have smaller classes.

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:
You will normally assist the Kenyan teachers to start with, but depending on your ability you may be given complete control of a particular class or group. You will receive a lot of help and support from the Kenya teachers and staff at the schools to help you prepare for your lessons and settle you into your role as teacher; and, like all Kenyans, they are very friendly and patient and are always willing to help.

The children have a fantastic air about them, and you will be immediately welcomed in by groups of children running up to greet the new teacher. The children and teachers are so grateful of the help that it will be hard to stop them smiling! The teachers and children will make you very welcome and you will spend a lot of your time visiting families and generally socialising. A "Typical Day" in the life of a teaching placement - by an ex-Travellers volunteer:

  • Get up at 6.45, take a bath, have breakfast etc.
  • Arrive at school at 7.45.
  • I then taught lessons until lunch, which was 12 - 2pm.
  • Afternoon lessons were from 2 - 5, but I was able to leave at 4pm. I usually then planned my lessons for the next day or did marking etc.
  • After that I went swimming or to the gym before dinner.
  • Evenings I either watched TV or went out!!
  • Weekends I went to the beach, friends' houses etc.

Harriet Carr
volunteered with Travellers and took the pictures, right. She says;

"These pictures are from my placement in Bombolulu, Kenya. I think I've pushed the amount of attachments I'm allowed to send to the limit because I love all my pictures so much! My time in Kenya was the best experience of my life. The smiles beaming off each child could fool anyone into thinking they were the most well off children in the world. I spent my time teaching the children English, Creative Arts and P.E as well as playing with the children and painting classrooms.  It was amaaazing! Thank you so much"

SCHOOL TERMS IN KENYA:
The education system has three terms in a year in primary and secondary schools that basically stretch for about three months, with about a month break in between. Dates for the 2013 school terms (semesters) are given below.

  • Term 1:   7 January – 5 April
  • Term 2:   6 May – 9 August
  • Term 3:   2 September – 15 November

There will be slight school variations on the above school dates, as well as approximately one week examination periods at the end of every term. During this time your help is needed with the examinations and with the marking of papers. Different schools have slight changes to the dates of closing and opening but they do not deviate by more than a week or at most two, so if you're thinking of doing this project please speak to us about exact dates.

For the first week I was working with the children, everyday I came up with something new for us to do in the form of art. It was great fun as I got to act like a kid again and throw paint around, we managed to make chainmen, paper mache, cards, and envelopes. I mixed up two bowls of paint and got everyone to dip their hands in and leave a handprint on the poster - even the adults joined in and now they're proudly displaying their work."  Kayshani Gibbon

   

Teaching poor children in Kenya on a voluntary project


 
Got any questions? Please email us:
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If you're a little unsure about the idea of standing in front of a class and teaching, you can, before you leave, enroll in our weekend TEFL courses. (www.tefltime.com) to help you teach if you have no previous experience and would like to gain a little teaching knowledge.

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

ACCOMMODATION, TRAVEL AND LIVING IN KENYA
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.
 
We will try to accommodate you as close to your project as we can, so you are able to work to work, but this may not be possible in which case you will have to use local transport, called Matatus.

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 runs 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.
 

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 placement in Mombasa

"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."

TRAVEL:
To read about Travel arrangements and what happens when you arrive in your new country, please click here.

As there is so much to do in Kenya, we recommend that you do some travelling around the country once your placement has finished. If this is the case, we can arrange your flights accordingly.

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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A LITTLE ABOUT MOMBASA

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

Photos of Mombasa

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