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COACH SWIMMING TO UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN IN MOMBASA

KENYA

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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.

"My experience was an unforgettable one, my schools were great the children amazing. I loved every minute I spent with the children. At swimming I taught 3 girls who were all 7years old to swim without the armbands in the deep end, it was such a proud moment, and they were so happy that there parents came along to the pool on my last day with them to witness it!"
Joanna Louise Barratt

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 To do any swimming project, you'll need a Level 1 or Level 2 qualification (or the equivalent in your country).
Price From £795 / US$1,195 for 2 weeks, ranging to £1,995 / US$2,995 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 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+

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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 2012 school terms (semesters) are given below.

  • Term 1: 2th Jan – 5th April
  • Term 2: 8th May – 3rd Aug
  • Term 3: 3rd Sep – 23rd 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.

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Coach swimming to disadvantaged children in Kenya
Teaching the children to dive


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



Some of the children you will coach!


Enhance your Programme with some exciting activities:
1-Wk Swahili Course

Scuba Diving Courses


Volunteer Feedback

Coach swimming to disadvantaged children in Kenya
 

ACCOMMODATION, TRAVEL 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."

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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Volunteer with baby elephant in Kenya
Volunteer with baby elephant

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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"

Zebra on the plain in Kenya - experience the adventure!

Photos of Mombasa

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

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Last modified: July 12, 2011