This
project is a truly rewarding one because very few children in Africa get the chance to
learn how to swim!
Our Swimming coaching placement is
based near the beautiful Island of Mombasa.This project is in need of volunteers to teach children how to swim. In terms of swimming Kenya
is not
well represented at international level and has never won an Olympic swimming
medal.
Here you can make a difference by providing quality coaching for children
who really need it. You don't need any qualifications to do a swimming coaching placement in Kenya.
ABOUT THE PROJECT: 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 Travellers are offering children the
opportunity to learn how to swim and you to teach it to them - 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.
As a Travellers swimming coach in
Kenya you will 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. You'll work
at a school in Mombassa that does not 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!
The school
holiday dates are approximately as follows;
First term: 6
January to 4 April
Second term: 5
May to 8 August
Third term: 8
September to 28 November
If you would
like to donate any equipment, it would be welcomed by the school and children
as swimming equipment is very hard to obtain in Kenya. Any equipment would be
welcome so if you have any kick floats, goggles, swimming
costumes or anything else lying around that you could take with you to your
project, it would be very much appreciated!
FREE SWIMMING COACHING MANUAL AND SUBSCRIPTION TO COACHING WEBSITE As a volunteer
swimming coach with Travellers we have written a
coaching manual specifically for your swimming coaching placement.
Travellers have also arranged for you
to get a year’s free subscription to a Coaching website:
www.grassrootscoaching.com. With
this membership (which normally comes with a price tag
of £39.99), you automatically become a member of the International Coaches
Association (ICA) and join a community of coaches from over 65 countries.
Although
they deal mainly with soccer/football, the coaching principles are the same for
all sports and will be helpful for you in teaching any sport. This
excellent resource should hopefully be able to give
you a few tips that will benefit both you and the children that you’ll be
coaching, and enable you to gain the maximum enjoyment from your placement.
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."
Colourful Matatu, the local transport
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 ow 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
