.

 

  You are here >
 


Next weekend TEFL Course: 27/28 March
 


 

COACH SWIMMING TO UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN IN MOMBASA, KENYA

COACHING SWIMMING IN AFRICA? WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! This project is truly rewarding because very few children in Africa get the chance to learn how to swim! You'll be based near the beautiful Island of Mombasa where it is important for children to learn to swim on account of their close proximity to the ocean and the dangers for non-swimmers.

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 but you must be able to swim.
Price From £675 for 2 weeks, ranging to £1,695 for 12 weeks. Full Price List
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 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:

 

PROJECT OVERVIEW
When you think of Kenya and sports, your initial thoughts will go to those long distance Kenyan athletes who win the Gold at every Olympic games and win marathons all over the world. You don't think of Kenya and swimming. The sad fact is that there are hardly any swimming pools in schools (or in Kenya) for children to learn how to swim, let alone swimming coaches or teachers.

Swimming is seen as an elitist sport for tourists and the rich, but now you have the opportunity to bring this "elitist" sport to disadvantaged children - you will make a difference!

Mombassa is situated on the coast, so it is essential for children to learn how to swim because many children suffer fatal accidents each year when trying to swim in the sea. If you volunteer on this project, it will hopefully do something to reduce these terrible accidents.

This project is a truly rewarding one as the children you will be coaching will have never had a proper swimming coach before who can teach them the correct techniques involved with swimming. Also, you'll not only be coaching the children a sport, but also an important life skill as well.

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'll generally work at one school, but you'll also have the opportunity to coach at a second school if you would like to coach extra hours. The school doesn't have a pool on the grounds, so coaching takes place just outside Mombassa, in a hotel swimming pool. They kindly allow the school children to use their facilities for swimming lessons.

The children's existing standard of swimming is fairly basic. You'll also teach them about water safety as well as the basic stroke techniques and diving.

Your lessons will take place during the school's PE periods, on Mondays to Fridays, in the mornings and afternoons. If you would like to do more swimming coaching with a second school, this can be arranged for you.  The school that you will be coaching takes part in 3 swimming galas each year against other local schools. The dates of these galas are normally around early April, early August and mid November.

You'll assist in these galas if they fall during your placement. In this case, you'll be able to see your hard work paying off when the children compete! 

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 semesters with about a month break in between. Dates for the 2010 school terms (semesters) are given below.

  • Term 1: 4th Jan – 2nd April
  • Term 2: 9th May – 6th Aug
  • Term 3: 7th Sep – 26th Nov

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.

FREE SWIMMING COACHING MANUAL

As a volunteer swimming coach with Travellers you'll be provided with a coaching manual specifically for your swimming coaching placement. We also have additional manuals that cover things like warming-up exercises, all very useful for your placement.

  .

.About Kenya and the voluntary projects available in teaching, work experience, conservation, sports and care that you can do there
Coach swimming to disadvantaged children in Kenya
Teaching the children to dive





Some of the children you will coach!

OPTIONAL ADD-ONS
1-Wk Swahili Course
Scuba Diving Courses
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Volunteer Feedback

Coach swimming to disadvantaged children in Kenya

ACCOMMODATION AND LIVING IN KENYA

IN MOMBASA: Your accommodation will vary, depending on which school you're placed in. We have different types of accommodation, but you will most likely live with a local family. Volunteers and family members frequently become very good friends and even stay in touch once the volunteers have left the country. Living with a family also gives you the opportunity to experience the true African experience from the inside and not just as a "tourist" on the surface of the country.

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

When accommodation is limited, we occasionally place volunteers in a local Guest House which is very comfortable and convenient for access into town. Occasionally the houses that we use may change owing to availability, so the facilities you can expect may change accordingly.

Your school may be within walking distance, 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!

"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."

 

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"

Zebra on the plain in Kenya - experience the adventure!

Photos of Mombasa

TRAVEL:
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.

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 Limited, ATOL No. 6856. 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.

VISAS:. You do need a visa for Kenya, this can be purchased before you arrive on upon arrival into the country. 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.

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.

To read about the excellent Support & Backup we provide before you leave and during your programme, 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!

Back to Top

Volunteer with baby elephant in Kenya
Volunteer with baby elephant




Suite 2A, Caravelle House, 17/19 Goring Road, Worthing,
West Sussex, BN12 4AP, England
Tel: +44 (0)1903 502595    Fax: +44 (0)1903 708179

Email: info@travellersworldwide.com

British Safety Council Logo

Travellers is a Founder Member of the Year Out Group
Web site designed by ITDesigners: www.itdesigners.com
Copyright © 1999-2007 TravelQuest Limited;
Last modified: February 15, 2010