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Volunteer projects in KENYA

 

Heritage of Faith and Hope Children's Home
       Machakos, Eastern province

Brief history of the project: Heritage of Faith and Hope Children's Home was started in Mlolongo in August 2002 by Rev. Joseph and Teresia Waweru Kimiti with the aim to feed 20 children within Nairobi city. Since its inception, the Home has grown remarkably, runs a school and owns a 3-acre piece of land donated by the Mavoko municipal council. The Home has 91 children in total, the youngest child being 3 years old, the oldest 19 years. The Home is a Christian institution and has significantly contributed to the development of the local community via poverty alleviation and provision of essential services such as education and health.

The Home has the following objectives:
• Improving access to health for orphans, destitute and vulnerable children
• Improving access to education for orphans and vulnerable children
• Providing parental care and guidance for orphans and vulnerable children

Since it's started, the project has made remarkable achievements in the following areas: Parental care, Health services and Education. However, due to expansion and high cost of living, the project continues to face diverse challenges such as inadequate staff, fees for secondary school students, etc.

Volunteer work: Volunteers' major duties include:
• Responsible for day-to-day coordination of the Home to ensure efficient performance of the organization operation.
• Counseling of the children
The volunteers will be working from Monday to Saturday. The number of hours will be decided by the Home's management.

Special requirements: On this project there will be two separate volunteer position types:
The first will involve counseling the children. The applicant that fits best for these duties is a social worker with a diploma or degree in Sociology, a minimum age of 21. 
Secondly, the Home requires a volunteer with office skills (management and administration to run the Home). In addition, they would also need the volunteer to have some experience in fund raising, lobbying and resource mobilization. The minimum age of the volunteer should be 21 years.
However, we have an open policy and applicants with other ideas to share are also welcome to apply and will be considered.
Volunteers need to contribute/initiate ideas and by that would be promoting the growth of the Home. This is an opportunity for the volunteers to work at a community/grassroot level in capacity building and training in self-sustainability.

Duration of the project: The program will run for a minimum of 1 month and a maximum of 6 months. The program is running throughout the year.

Orientation: Orientation meeting will take place in Nairobi before proceeding to the project.

Accommodation: At the Home or in a nearby hostel. There is electricity and piped water at the accommodation. Water is collected from a borehole.

Location: Heritage of Faith and Hope Children's Home is situated in Eastern Province, Machakos district, Syokimau location, Mlolongo township, approximately 20 kilometers from Nairobi. This is a semiarid region with hilly terrain. The region is hot during the day, temperatures sometimes rising to 25°–28°C. At night it can be cold, temperatures falling to 15°–20°C. Mlolongo is a small suburb with a lot of heavy commercial trucks which are weighed there, and acts as a stop over for truck drivers from East and Central African Region. The rate of commercial sex is very high in this region. Young girls are enticed in this business to generate income. The area is not very well developed in terms of infrastructure, but it has electricity, telephone lines and piped water. Not all houses have these facilities. Facilities and services such as cyber cafes, ATMs can be found in Kitengela or Nairobi.
Volunteers will be using public transport “Matatu” (minibuses) to get to the project site. It is 30 minutes drive from Nairobi.

Kiswahili is the dominant spoken language within the area. Kiswahili and English are spoken in the central business area and Government offices, and are popular among the young professionals. Mlolongo area is densely populated and numerous business activities are going on day and night, as this area is close to the EPZ zone.

Age range: 21 and over

Participation fee: $590 CAD

Extra fee: 400 Euro for every 2 months
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 


 

Support for HIV/AIDS orphans and vulnerable children
       Machakos, Eastern province

Brief history of the project: Eagles Fountains Home is a registered national NGO that was born as a mission of compassionate response to the desperate plight of orphans and other children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS, who are going through untold suffering because of escalating poverty compounded by the devastating effects of the disease. The Home admits children ranging from ages 0–4 (boys & girls) and 5–8 (girls only). Eagles Fountains recognizes the importance of strengthening the family and the community structures for the support of orphans and vulnerable children. The project is based in Katangi Division, Machakos District. The target groups are total orphans in child-headed households, aged grandparent households and children of severely and chronically ill parents. Eagles Fountains has facilitated the establishment and training of a community support group (Katangi Hope Group) for the protection and care of orphans within their families and villages.

The mission of Eagles Fountains Home is to bring hope to the children who are most vulnerable and desperately in need of care and protection, through an integrated and compassionate approach, that enhances the survival and development of the child
into a productive and fulfilled citizen. Eagles Fountains envisions a community where all children enjoy equal protection and care. Eagles Fountains' goal is to rescue, support and care for the children who are abandoned, victims of gender based sexual violence, severe forms of child neglect and abuse, destitute orphans and other children made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS, to rekindle their hopes, tap and sharpen their skills, and release their potential to enable them live a dignified and purposeful life.

Volunteer work: Volunteers' major duties include:
• Responsible for day-to-day coordination of the Home to ensure efficient performance of the organization operation.
• Counseling of the children
• Teaching the children
The volunteers will be working from Monday to Saturday. The number of hours will be decided by the Home's management.

Special requirements: The applicants should have sociology, counseling or teaching skills. However, we have an open policy and applicants with other ideas to share are also welcome to apply and will be considered.
Volunteers need to contribute/initiate ideas and by that would be promoting the growth of the Home. This is an opportunity for the volunteers to work at a community/grassroot level in capacity building and training in self-sustainability.

Duration of the project: The program will run for a minimum of 1 month and a maximum of 6 months. The program is running throughout the year.

Orientation: Orientation meeting will take place in Nairobi before proceeding to the project.

Accommodation: At the Home or in a nearby hostel.

Location: Eagles Fountains Home is situated in Eastern Province, Springs of Hope Offices, Kangundo Road, Machakos District. The region is hot during the day, temperatures sometimes rising to 28°–30°C. At night it is humid, temperatures falling to 25°–28°C. Facilities and services such as cyber cafes and ATMs can be found in Machakos Town which is 10 minutes away from the Home.
Volunteers will be using public transport “Matatu” (minibuses) or tuk-tuk / boda-boda (bicycle taxi) to get to the project site.

Kiswahili and Akamba are the dominant spoken languages within the area. Kiswahili and English are spoken in the town area and Government offices and are popular among the young professionals.

Age range: 20 and over

Participation fee: $590 CAD

Extra fee: 400 Euro for every 2 months
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 



 

Pwani School for mentally handicapped children
       Mombasa, Coast province

Brief history of the project: Pwani School for mentally handicapped started as a unit of Kikowami Primary School in Mombasa. By the year 1999 the unit had grown to a full-pledged school and moved to Kisauni area. This is the 7th year since its inception. The school enrolment has increased from 11 pupils on the 1st day to 75 students to date.
The school admits pupils between the ages of 6–24 years. It is situated in new Nyali (Bombolulu) on a 10-acre plot allocated by the Kenyan Government in 1986 during the national and international year of the disabled. The School is a public mixed special day school, currently planning to put up a boarding facility. The school is managed by a board of governors from the Ministry of Education and members of the  municipal council.

The school's motto is: "We can make it with your help". Their mission is to rehabilitate mentally handicapped children through various activities and to enable them to lead a normal life. They follow the special education curriculum as specified by the Kenya Institute of Education. The following trainings are offered: sense training, social training, communication, language, number work, reading, art and craft, music/dance, physical education and service to the school. The school's development plan for the next three years includes constructing an access road, equipment for new classrooms, landline installation, completing the construction of an administration block, building a strong wall fence, acquiring a school van and building a multi-purpose hall.

Volunteer work: Volunteers' major duties include:
• Responsible for day-to-day coordination of the school to ensure efficient performance of the organization operation
• Counseling of the children
• Teaching the children
The volunteers will be working from Monday to Saturday. The number of hours will be decided by the School's management.

Special requirements: Volunteers with physiotherapy and teaching skills are needed; preferably a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, or a teacher. However, we have an open policy and applicants with other ideas to share are also welcome to apply and will be considered. The minimum age of the volunteer should be 23 years.
Volunteers need to contribute/initiate ideas and by that would be promoting the growth of the School. This is an opportunity for the volunteers to work at a community/grassroot level in capacity building and training in self-sustainability.

Duration of the project: The program will run for a minimum of 1 month and a maximum of 6 months. The program is running throughout the year.

Orientation: Orientation meeting will take place in Nairobi before proceeding to the project.

Accommodation: At the School or in a nearby hostel. There is electricity and piped water at the accommodation. Water is collected from a borehole.

Location: Pwani School for mentally handicapped is situated in Coast Province, Kongowea location, Kisauni Division, approximately 500 kilometers from Nairobi. This is a busy tourism area as it borders Indian Ocean with numerous hotels on the Coastal belt. The region is hot during the day, temperatures sometimes rising to 25°–28°C. At night it can be cool, temperatures falling to 15°–20°C. Kisauni is densely populated with a lot of poor or low income people, and it's congested with prostitutes and beach boys due to the high number of tourists in this region. Facilities and services such as cyber cafes and ATMs can be found in Mtwapa, Nyali and Mombasa town.
Volunteers will use public transport “Matatu” (minibuses) to get to the project site. It is 8 hours drive from Nairobi.

Kiswahili is the dominant spoken language within the area. Kiswahili and English are spoken in the central business area and Government offices, and are popular among the young professionals.

Age range: 23 and over

Participation fee: $590 CAD

Extra fee: 400 Euro for every 2 months
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 



 

Street children rescue program
       Nairobi, Nairobi province

Brief history of the project: The project was stared in 1999 by two university students from Nairobi, Isaac Odhiambo and Benito Musumba, and later registered in 2000. Since then, they have been able to help out around 100 boys aged between 7 and 18 years from the neighboring slums. The mission of Daraja Rescue Project is to reduce the number of street children and improve their living conditions.

The objective of this project is to reintegrate them back to the community. To reach this objective we develop different strategies and activities:
• Reinforce the self-esteem of the children (sports and artistic activities, counseling and psychological support, provision of legal assistance)
• Reestablish the link between the street children and their families (interviews, counseling)
• Enhance the level of education of street children (informal education, reinstating them back to school)
• Improve access to health care (educative health sessions, medical assistance)
• Developing income generating activities (wood work, catering, cyber café, small scale farming, recycling)

Volunteer work: Volunteers' major duties include:
• Responsible for day-to-day coordination of the Home to ensure efficient performance of the organization operation
• Counseling of the children
• Teaching the children
The volunteers will be working from Monday to Saturday. The number of hours will be decided by the Home's management.

Special requirements: The Home requires volunteer(s) with sociology, counseling and teaching, visual and performing arts skills, Capoera dance; preferably a social worker, a counselor or a teacher. However, we have an open policy and applicants with other ideas to share are also welcome to apply and will be considered.
Volunteers need to contribute/initiate ideas and by that would be promoting the growth of the Home. This is an opportunity for the volunteers to work at a community/grassroot level in capacity building and training in self-sustainability.

Duration of the project: The program will run for a minimum of 1 month and a maximum of 6 months. The program is running throughout the year.

Orientation: Orientation meeting will take place in Nairobi before proceeding to the project.

Accommodation: At the Home or in a nearby hostel. There is electricity and piped water at the accommodation. Water is collected from a borehole.

Location: Daraja Rescue Project is situated in Nairobi Province, Embakasi location, Umoja Estate 2 area, approximately 20 kilometers from Nairobi. This is a busy commercial and residential area for low income earners. The region is hot during the day, temperatures sometimes rising to 25°–28°C. At night it can be cold, temperatures falling to 15°–20°C. Umoja 2 area is surrounded by Kayole, Donholm and Innercore estates (these are low income areas) and the neighboring Soweto slums. Facilities and services such as cyber cafes and ATMs can be found in Buruburu or Nairobi.
Volunteers will be using public transport “Matatu” (minibuses) to get to the project site. It is 15 minutes drive from Nairobi.

Kiswahili is the dominant spoken language within the area. Kiswahili and English are spoken in the central business area and Government offices, and are popular among the young professionals. Umoja 2 area is densely populated and numerous business activities are going on.

Age range: 20 and over

Participation fee: $590 CAD

Extra fee: 400 Euro for every 2 months
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 



 

Salem Orphanage Home
       Kisumu, Nyanza province

Brief history of the project: Salem Orphanage Home was founded in 1992 by Pastor John. It is based in Kisumu which is the third largest city in Kenya. Kisumu has a population of approximately 200,000 and is located on Lake Victoria almost on the Ugandan border. In Kisumu, there are many orphans who, without help, would have no future. Salem Orphanage is a home to about 130 orphans who lost their parents (usually to AIDS) and street children from the slums. There are primarily boys, due to the "preference" for girls as household labor help, and the difficulty for boys to stay at home if their mother marries someone other than their father. At Salem they are loved and cared for well, but the need is still so great.

Volunteer work: Volunteers' major duties include:
• Responsible for day-to-day coordination of the Home to ensure efficient performance of the organization operation
• Cooking for the children, washing the children's clothes and counseling
• Teaching the children sports, drama and theatre
• Farming and making “jikos” (cooking pots)
The volunteers will be working from Monday to Saturday. The number of hours will be decided by the Home's management.

Special requirements: The Orphanage requires volunteer(s) with counseling and teaching skills; preferably teacher(s) in Math, English or Science and teacher(s) for early childhood education and nursery schooling. However, we have an open policy and applicants with other ideas to share are also welcome to apply and will be considered.
Volunteers need to contribute/initiate ideas and by that would be promoting the growth of the Orphanage. This is an opportunity for the volunteers to work at a community/grassroot level in capacity building and training in self-sustainability.

Duration of the project: The program will run for a minimum of 1 month and a maximum of 6 months. The program is running throughout the year.

Orientation: Orientation meeting will take place in Nairobi before proceeding to the project.

Accommodation: At a host family.

Location: Salem Orphanage Home is located in Nyanza province, Kisumu City, Obunga Location. The region is hot during the day, temperatures sometimes rising to 27°–29°C. At night it’s fairly humid, temperatures sometimes falling to 24°–26°C. Winam is a relatively small town, not very well developed, but it has electricity, telephone lines and piped water. However, not all the houses have these facilities. The nearest shopping center, cyber cafes, Post office, clubs, ATMs, are in Kisumu, which is 15 km away from Winam. There is a nearby church, a local health center and a market within the area itself. The terrain of Winam is flat.
Volunteers will use public transport “Matatu” (minibuses) to get to the project site. It is 8 hours drive from Nairobi.

Luo is the dominant spoken language within the area. Kiswahili and English are spoken in the central business area and Government offices, and are popular among the young professionals.

Age range: 20 and over

Participation fee: $590 CAD

Extra fee: 400 Euro for every 2 months
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 

 

Rehabilitation program for young street girls
       Mombasa, Coast province

Brief history of the project: Wema Center is a community project and a rehabilitation program for young street girls. The home was established in 1993 and is registered as a non-governmental organization in Kenya. The Center has a residential capacity for up to 110 children. The non-residential program can accommodate up to 400 children, including young women in the vocational training section. The program currently takes care of 310 children and aims to take in more, if funds allow. The mission of the Center is to rehabilitate and facilitate the development of vulnerable children and youth at risk towards sustainability, human dignity and self-reliance, to restore hope, and also help former street children acquire birth certificates and ID cards.
• Spiritually, by leading the children to have a relationship with Jesus Christ through devotions and Bible training.
• Academically, by connecting them to the best schools and equipping them to succeed.
• Socially, by reconciling and reintegrating them back to their families. This is done by paying home visits and presided by giving guidance and counseling.
• Empowering them to succeed in their gifts and talents by identifying and nurturing them, allowing their expression without limitations.

The goals of Wema Center are:
• To empower children living on the streets and risk prone areas with formal education.
• To contribute to the reduction of HIV/AIDS and STDs and enhance behavior change among the street children and youth.
• To provide shelter, rehabilitation and primary health care for children living on the street and other risk prone areas.

Volunteer work: Volunteers' major duties include:
• Responsible for day-to-day coordination of the Center to ensure efficient performance of the organization operation.
• Counseling of the children
• Teaching the children
The volunteers will be working from Monday to Saturday. The number of hours will be decided by the Center's management.

Special requirements: The minimum age of the volunteer should be 21 years. Volunteer(s) with sociology, counseling and teaching skills are needed; preferably a social worker, a counselor or a teacher. However, we have an open policy and applicants with other ideas to share are also welcome to apply and will be considered.
Volunteers need to contribute/initiate ideas and by that would be promoting the growth of the Home. This is an opportunity for the volunteers to work at a community/grassroot level in capacity building and training in self-sustainability.

Duration of the project: The program will run for a minimum of 1 month and a maximum of 6 months. The program is running throughout the year.

Orientation: Orientation meeting will take place in Nairobi before proceeding to the project.

Accommodation: At the Home or in a nearby hostel. There is electricity and piped water at the accommodation. Water is collected from a borehole.

Location: Wema Center Organization is situated in Coast Province, Bamburi – Utange North Coast location. The Center is on a 5-acre piece of land owned by Wema Center Trust. The region is hot during the day, temperatures sometimes rising to 28°–30°C. At night it is humid, temperatures falling to 25°–28°C. Facilities and services such as cyber cafes and ATMs can be found in Mombasa Town, which 15 minutes away from the Center.
Volunteers will use public transport “Matatu” (minibuses) to get to the project site.

Kiswahili is the dominant spoken language within the area. Kiswahili and English are spoken in the central business area and Government offices, and are popular among the young professionals.

Age range: 21 and over

Participation fee: $590 CAD

Extra fee: 400 Euro for every 2 months
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 


 

Support program for at-risk children and youth
       Kisumu, Nyanza province

Brief history of the project: Vision and Passion Centre is a community project and a rehabilitation program for young street girls. The Home was established in 1998 by Hellen and her husband George. Hellen was previously a banker, but she is now a full time Christian together with he husband (a teacher), and they both serve the home and their newly constructed church as reverends. The home is registered under the Children’s department and the Ministry of culture and social services in Kenya. The Center has a residential capacity of up to 20 children. The non–residential program can accommodate up to 132 children and has a primary school serving children ranging from nursery to standard grade 8, although the classes are in a bad state. None of the children is known to be suffering from HIV/AIDS but 1 is disabled, 40 are paternal orphans and 20 are double orphans. The total number of staff is 20 and the age bracket of the children is between 3 – 19 years old.

The mission of the Centre is to rehabilitate and facilitate the development of the vulnerable children and the youth at risk towards sustainability, human dignity and self-reliance and restore their hope:
• Spiritually, by leading the children to have a relationship with Jesus Christ through
devotions and Bible training.
• Academically, by connecting them to the best schools and equipping them to
succeed.
• Socially, by reconciling and reintegrating them back to their families. This is done by
paying home visits and presided by giving guidance and counseling.
• Empowering them to succeed in their gifts and talents by identifying and nurturing them, allowing their expression without limitations.

The goals of Vision and Passion Centre are:
• To empower children living on the streets and risk prone areas with formal education.
• To contribute to the reduction of HIV/AIDS and STDs and enhance behavior change
among the street children and youth.
• To provide shelter, rehabilitation and primary health care for children living on the street and other risk prone areas.

Volunteer work: Volunteers' major duties include:
• Responsible for day-to-day coordination of the Home to ensure efficient performance of the organization operation.
• Counseling of the children
• Teaching the children
The volunteers will be working from Monday to Saturday. The number of hours will be decided by the Home's management.

Special requirements: Volunteer(s) with sociology, counseling and teaching skills (Maths & English) are needed; preferably a social worker, a counselor or a teacher. However, we have an open policy and applicants with other ideas to share are also welcome to apply and will be considered.
Volunteers need to contribute/initiate ideas and by that would be promoting the growth of the Home. This is an opportunity for the volunteers to work at a community/grassroot level in capacity building and training in self-sustainability.

Duration of the project: The program will run for a minimum of 1 month and a maximum of 6 months. The program is running throughout the year.

Orientation: Orientation meeting will take place in Nairobi before proceeding to the project.

Accommodation: At the Home or in a nearby hostel. There is electricity and piped water at the accommodation. Water is collected from a borehole.

Location: Vision and Passion Organization is situated in Nyanza Province, Kadibo Division, Kochieng location. The Center is on a piece of land owned by Vision and Passion Orphanage Founders. The region is hot during the day, temperatures sometimes rising to 28°–30°C. At night it is humid, temperatures falling to 25°–28°C. Facilities and services such as cyber cafes and ATMs can be found in Kisumu Town which is 45 minutes drive from the Home.
Volunteers will use public transport “Matatu” (minibuses) to get to the project site.

Luo is the dominant spoken language within the area. Kiswahili and English are spoken in the central business area and Government offices, and are popular among the young professionals.

Age range: 20 and over

Participation fee: $590 CAD

Extra fee: 400 Euro for every 2 months
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 



 

St Peter's Junior School for mentally handicapped children
       Mombasa, Coast province

Brief history of the project: Saint Peter’s The Rock Junior School started in January 2005. The institution has 76 children in total and has a boarding facility where 35 mentally handicapped children are housed. The school offers lower primary education (nursery-3rd grade) and special education. The school is unique because the mentally handicapped children learn along with the other children. The institution has 7 teachers, 2 house mothers, a house father and a guard.
The School was established in response to the growing need for special education, by providing formal and informal education to the less privileged members of the society, suffering from mental illness and slow learning due to Down syndrome and autistic children, whose problems are not yet identified by the doctors.

Objectives of the School:
1. To identify and nurture young children with mental disabilities and develop their mental ability by giving them special theoretical sessions in literacy and numeracy.
2. To make conscious effort for providing a platform where special children would develop their physical capabilities through physical education.
3. To initiate a forum for families with mentally handicapped children to meet and share their experiences and ideas, and to learn to live a comfortable life with their children.
4. To develop social skills by imparting family values corresponding to the respective cultural dynamics by instilling disciplinary tools, and also by providing income generating skills to enable them be self-reliant in future.

Volunteer work: Volunteers' major duties include:
• Responsible for day-to-day coordination of the School to ensure efficient performance of the organization operation
• Counseling of the children
• Teaching the children
The volunteers will be working from Monday to Saturday. The number of hours will be decided by the School's management.

Special requirements: Volunteers with physiotherapy and teaching skills are needed; preferably a physiotherapist, occupational or speech therapist, or a teacher (Math, English, Science, French, German, Italian language, Literature and grammar). However, we have an open policy and applicants with other ideas to share are also welcome to apply and will be considered. The minimum age of the volunteer should be 21 years.
Volunteers need to contribute/initiate ideas and by that would be promoting the growth of the School. This is an opportunity for the volunteers to work at a community/grassroot level in capacity building and training in self-sustainability.

Duration of the project: The program will run for a minimum of 1 month and a maximum of 6 months. The program is running throughout the year.

Orientation: Orientation meeting will take place in Nairobi before proceeding to the project.

Accommodation: At the School or in a nearby hostel. There is electricity and piped water at the accommodation. Water is collected from a borehole.

Location: Saint Peter’s The Rock Junior School is situated in Coast Province, Bamburi location, Kisauni Division, Kidarajani area, approximately 500 kilometers from Nairobi. This is a busy tourism area as it borders Indian Ocean with numerous hotels on the Coastal belt. The region is hot during the day, temperatures sometimes rising to 25°–28°C. At night it can be cool, temperatures falling to 15°–20°C. Kisauni is densely populated with a lot of poor or low income people, and it's congested with prostitutes and beach boys due to the high number of tourists in this region. Facilities and services such as cyber cafes and ATMs can be found in Mtwapa, Nyali and Mombasa town.
Volunteers will use public transport “Matatu” (minibuses) to get to the project site. It is 8 hours drive from Nairobi.

Kiswahili is the dominant spoken language within the area. Kiswahili and English are spoken in the central business area and Government offices, and are popular among the young professionals.

Age range: 21 and over

Participation fee: $590 CAD

Extra fee: 400 Euro for every 2 months
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 


 

Education, care and support for orphans in the Restoration Children Home in Bamburi
       Mombasa, Coast province

Brief history of the project: The Restoration Children Home was founded in 2001 by Pastor James Mwayangwa through Restoration Church in response to the growing number of orphaned children in Kadzandani area because of the parents dying of diseases. The Home started with 10 kids. Today, the Home has 140 children; 22 of them are orphans and stay at the Home, and 118 children stay with their guardians or relatives. The institution is registered under the Department of Social services. The youngest child is 4 years old, and the oldest is 17 years old.
The church is offering primary education from grade 1 to 7 and also nursery education. The school is a unit of the Church programs.

Objectives of Restoration Children Home:
1. To provide shelter, education and food for the orphans
2. To provide basic informal and formal education to the orphans
3. To nurture the orphans in a Christian upbringing

The mission of the Home is to continue assisting the orphans and vulnerable children within the community and outside the community, by providing education and bringing them up to a better life.

Volunteer work: Volunteers' major duties include:
• Responsible for day-to-day coordination of the Home to ensure efficient performance of the organization operation
• Cooking for the children, washing the children's clothes and counseling
• Teaching the children sports, drama and theatre
The volunteers will be working from Monday to Saturday. The number of hours will be decided by the Home's management.

Special requirements: Volunteers with physiotherapy and teaching skills are needed; preferably teacher(s) in Math, English or Science, teacher(s) for early childhood education and nursery schooling. However, we have an open policy and applicants with other ideas to share are also welcome to apply and will be considered.
Volunteers need to contribute/initiate ideas and by that would be promoting the growth of the Home. This is an opportunity for the volunteers to work at a community/grassroot level in capacity building and training in self-sustainability.

Duration of the project: The program will run for a minimum of 1 month and a maximum of 6 months. The program is running throughout the year.

Orientation: Orientation meeting will take place in Nairobi before proceeding to the project.

Accommodation: At the Home. There is electricity and piped water at the accommodation. Water is collected from a borehole.

Location: Restoration Children Home is situated in Coast Province, Kisauni location, Bamburi Division, Kadzandani area, approximately 500 kilometers from Nairobi. This is a busy tourism area as it borders Indian Ocean with numerous hotels on the Coastal belt. The region is hot during the day, temperatures sometimes rising to 25°–28°C. At night it can be cool, temperatures falling to 15°–20°C. Kisauni is densely populated with a lot of poor or low income people, and it's congested with prostitutes and beach boys due to the high number of tourists in this region. Facilities and services such as cyber cafes and ATMs can be found in Mtwapa, Nyali and Mombasa town.
Volunteers will use public transport “Matatu” (minibuses) to get to the project site. It is 8 hours drive from Nairobi.

Kiswahili is the dominant spoken language within the area. Kiswahili and English are spoken in the central business area and Government offices, and are popular among the young professionals.

Age range: 20 and over

Participation fee: $590 CAD

Extra fee: 400 Euro for every 2 months
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 


 

Teaching English and counseling students in Central Primary School
       Kitui, Eastern province

Brief history of the project: Central Primary School was started in the early 1950’s by the Arab Asian Community and was then named the Arab Asian School. In 1963 it was taken over by the Government and later on, between 1970 and 1975, it was incorporated by another school, namely St. Michaels Primary School. With the efforts of the parents from the community, the school structure was improved. Central Primary is under the District Education Board and it serves children of all races. Currently the school has 25 classes and the Special Unit for the Blind (S.U.B.). In total the pupils are 1159; 31 of them being in the S.U.B (14 girls and 17 boys) and the rest of the pupils are 577 girls and 552 boys. The school has a total of 36 staff (5 attached to the S.U.B).

Volunteer work: Volunteers' major duties include:
• Teaching the pupils English and Math
• Counseling the young girls and boys
The volunteers will be working from Monday to Saturday, Monday to Friday - 5 hours a day and Saturday - 3 hours.

Special requirements: Volunteers with strong motivation to teach and knowledge of early childhood education and primary education are needed to assist in the school. However, volunteers with other ideas to share are most welcome.
Volunteers need to contribute/initiate ideas and by that would be promoting the growth of the School. This is an opportunity for the volunteers to work at community/grassroot level in capacity building and training in self-sustainability.

Duration of the project: The schools in Kenya (Public Primary Schools) run from January to April, from May to August and from September to November. The time frame is open.

Orientation: Orientation meeting will take place in Nairobi before proceeding to the project.

Accommodation: In a rental house or with a host family.

Location: Central Primary School is located in Eastern province, Kitui District, Central Kitui Location. The region is hot during the day, temperatures sometimes rising to 25° –28°C. At night it’s cool, temperatures sometimes falling between 19° – 20°C. Kitui is a relatively small town, not very well developed, but it has electricity, telephone lines and piped water. However, not all the houses have these facilities. The nearest shopping center, cyber cafes, Post office, clubs, ATM, are within the town, not far from the Central Primary School. There is a nearby church, a local health center (1 km away from the school) and a market within the center itself.
There are also beautiful sceneries around Kitui, like “Nzambani” Rocks (5 km from Kitui center) and “SyomaSango” resort (6 km from Kitui center). The terrain of Kitui is hilly.

Akamba is the ethnic tribe residing in this area. Kiswahili and Kamba are the most spoken languages within the area. The majority of the people are not educated, including old and young. Kiswahili, English and Kamba are spoken in the central business area and Government offices and are popular among the young professionals.

Economically, the Kamba people are low-income farmers and the rate of poverty is high because of lack of education, cultural and traditional beliefs, unfavorable climatic conditions and poor infrastructure.
Socially, Kamba people are good, friendly and accommodative. There are other tribes within the area like Kikuyu, Embu, Meru, etc. Christianity and Islam are the predominant practiced religions in this area.

Age range: 23 and over

Participation fee: $590 CAD

Extra fee: 400 Euro for every 2 months
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 



Educational and construction activities in the Waa rescue mission school
       Kwale, Coast province

Brief history of the project: Waa Primary School is a rescue mission school, run by the district education board and Waa Municipal Council. The school has an enrollment of 585 pupils, 209 boys and 376 girls. It also has an ECD (Early Childhood Education) class of 65 pupils. This school has managed to rescue girls from different cases like early marriage, rape cases, incest cases and early pregnancy. These girls have been retained here since 2001 up to date. The girls are 30 in number (abused, raped and early marriage). Most of the pupils are Muslims and a few are Christians. The school has managed to retain girls and give them opportunity to complete their primary education.

Volunteer work: Volunteers' major duties include:
• Teaching the pupils English and Math
• Construction of a dormitory
• Counseling the young girls
The volunteers will be working from Monday to Saturday, Monday to Fridays - 5 hours a day and Saturday - 3 hours.

Special requirements: Volunteers with community development, social and teaching skills will be required to assist in the school. However, volunteers with other ideas to share are most welcome.
Volunteers need to contribute/initiate ideas and by that would be promoting the growth of the School. This is an opportunity for the volunteers to work at community/grassroot level in capacity building and training in self-sustainability.

Duration of the project: The schools in Kenya (Public Primary Schools) run from January to April, from May to August and from September to November. The time frame is open.

Orientation: Orientation meeting will take place in Nairobi before proceeding to the project.

Accommodation: In a rental house or with a host family.

Location: Waa Primary School is located in Coast province, Kwale District, Waa Location, Kitivo sub-location. The region is hot and humid during the day, temperatures sometimes rising to 28° –30°C. At night it’s humid. Waa is a relatively small town, not very well developed, but it has electricity, telephone lines and piped water. Not all of the houses have these facilities. The nearest shopping center, cyber cafes, Post office, clubs, ATM, are in Mombasa town which is 25 minutes drive from the Waa location. There is a nearby church, a local health center and the nearest market is 20 minutes drive.
There are also beautiful sceneries around Waa like Shelly beach and spectacular view of the Indian Ocean. Fort Jesus, Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary, Diani Beach and Tsimba Hills game reserve are all in Kwale District, except for Fort Jesus. The terrain of Waa is flat.

Digo and Duruma are the ethnic tribes residing in this area. Kiswahili is the most spoken language within the area. The majority of the people are not educated, including the old and young people. Kiswahili and English are spoken in the central business area and Government offices, and are popular among the young professionals.

Economically, the Swahili people are low-income farmers, but the rate of poverty is high because of lack of education, cultural and traditional beliefs, unfavorable climatic conditions and poor infrastructure.
Socially, coastal people are good, friendly and accommodative. There are other tribes within the area like Kikuyu, Luo, Luhya etc. Islam is the predominant practiced religion in this area.

Participation fee: $590 CAD

Extra fee: 400 Euro for every 2 months
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.

Age range: 20 and over
 



 

Teaching English, Science and Math to students in Ingobor Primary School
       Nakuru, Rift Valley province

Brief history of the project: The project is organised in cooperation with Ingobor Primary School in the Rift Valley province, Nakuru District. The School invites international volunteers who will teach and share their experiences and skills with the students.
Both the community and Nakuru Municipal Council run Ingobor Primary School. The residents are mostly from the Kalenjin Community.

Volunteer work: Volunteers' major duties include:
• Teaching the children English, Science and Mathematics
• Responsible for the day-to-day coordination and running of the School to ensure efficient performance
The volunteers will be working from Monday to Saturday, Monday to Friday - 5 hours a day and Saturday - 3 hours.

Special requirements: Volunteers with strong motivation to teach and knowledge of early childhood education and primary education are needed to assist in the school. However, volunteers with other ideas to share are most welcome.
Volunteers need to contribute/initiate ideas and by that would be promoting the growth of the School. This is an opportunity for the volunteers to work at community/grassroot level in capacity building and training in self-sustainability.

Duration of the project: The schools in Kenya (Public Primary Schools) run from January to April, from May to August and from September to November. The time frame is open.

Orientation: Orientation meeting will take place in Nairobi before proceeding to the project.

Accommodation: In a rental house or with a host family.

Location: Ingobor Primary School is located in Rift Valley province, Nakuru District, Barut Location, Ingobor sub-location, southern part of Nakuru town. The region is hot during the day, temperatures sometimes rising to 28°–30°C. At night it can be cold, temperatures falling to 15°–20°C. Ingobor is a small village, not very well developed, but it has electricity, telephone lines and piped water. Not all houses have these facilities. The nearest shopping center, cyber cafes, Post office, clubs, ATM, are in Nakuru town, which is 15 minutes drive from the Ingobor village. There is a nearby church, a local health center and the nearest market is Kaptembwo, 20 minutes walk or 5 minutes drive.
There are also beautiful sceneries around Nakuru like Menegai crater, Lake Nakuru, Lake Elementaita and Nakuru National Park, that offer spectacular views and variety of wild animals. The terrain of Ingobor is hilly.

Kalenjin (Kipsigis), which is composed of several tribes, is the most spoken language within the area. Majority of the people are not educated, especially the older people. Kiswahili and English are spoken in the central business area and Government offices and are popular among the young professionals.
Economically, the Kalenjins are low-income farmers, and the rate of poverty is high.
Socially, Kalenjins are good and friendly people. They value good morals and respect for the old. There are also other tribes within the area like Kikuyu, Luo, Luhya, etc. The staple food is Ugali and Mursik.

Age range: 23 and over

Participation fee: $590 CAD

Extra fee: 400 Euro for every 2 months
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 


 

Teaching English, Science and Mathematics in Enkorika Secondary School
       Kajiado, Rift Valley province

Brief history of the project: Enkorika Secondary School in Rift Valley province, Kajiado District was started last year by the area member of the parliament through the constituency development fund. It is a mixed school. International volunteers are invited to support the educational program of the school by teaching and sharing their experiences and skills with the students.

Volunteer work: Volunteers' major duties include:
• Teaching English, Math and Sciences to the students
The volunteers will be working from Monday to Saturday, Monday to Friday - 5 hours a day and Saturday - 3 hours.

Special requirements: Volunteers with strong motivation and knowledge of Math, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, English are highly needed in this project, preferably teacher(s). However, we have an open policy and applicants with other ideas to share are also welcome to apply and will be considered.
Volunteers need to contribute/initiate ideas and by that would be promoting the growth of the School. This is an opportunity for the volunteers to work at a community/grassroot level in capacity building and training in self-sustainability.

Duration of the project: The schools in Kenya run from January to April, from May to August and from September to November. The time frame is open.

Orientation: Orientation meeting will take place in Nairobi before proceeding to the project.

Accommodation: In a rental house or with a host family.

Location: Enkorika Secondary School is located in Rift Valley province, Kajiado District, Central Location. The region is hot during the day, temperatures sometimes rising to 25°–28°C. At night it’s cool, temperatures falling to 19°–20°C. Kajiado is a relatively small town, not very well developed, but it has electricity, telephone lines and piped water. Not all the houses though have these facilities. The nearest shopping center, cyber cafes, Post office, clubs, ATM, are in the town, which is 30 kilometers away from the Enkorika Secondary School. There is a nearby church, a local health center and a market within the town center.
There are also beautiful sceneries around Kajiado like “Bulls Eye” Eco–system, Elangata–Wuas, Namanga (Kenya–Tanzania border). The terrain of Kajiado is flat.

Maasai is the ethnic tribe residing in this area. Kiswahili and Maasai are the most spoken languages. The majority of the people are not educated, including old and young. English and Kiswahili are spoken in the central business area and Government offices and are popular among the young professionals.
Economically, the Maasai are pastoral people. The rate of poverty is high because of lack of education, cultural and traditional beliefs, unfavorable climatic conditions and poor infrastructure.
Socially, Maasai people are good, friendly and accommodative. The Maasai people have a rich culture and traditions.

Age range: 23 and over

Participation fee: $590 CAD

Extra fee: 400 Euro for every 2 months
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 

 


 

Teaching High School students in Coast province
       Taita Taveta, Coast province

Brief history of the project: This volunteer project aims to support Mshimba High School in Coast province, Taita Taveta District. The mission of the School is to provide quality education to the students for a better tomorrow and their goal is to make the institution a centre of academic excellence. The School's motto is "Education for Progress".

Mshimba High School was started in 1989 by the community and later on the Government took over. The school is managed by a board of governors. It is a mixed school for boys and girls, with boarding facilities for boys only. There are 4 classes from grade 1 to 4. The school has 140 students in total. The number of staff is 8 teachers and 5 non-teaching staff. The school offers 11 subjects: Math, English, Kiswahili, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Agriculture, History, Geography, Business Studies and Computer (IT).

Volunteer work: Volunteers' major duties include:
• Teaching the pupils English, Math, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and IT;
• Running extra curriculum activities such as Drama, Theater, Music, environmental activities;
• Teaching Sports;
The volunteers will be working from Monday to Saturday, Monday to Friday - 5 hours a day and Saturday - 3 hours.

Special requirements: English, Math, Physics, Chemistry, Physical Education/Sports and Biology teachers are needed. Knowledge and experience in teaching the aforementioned subjects is mandatory. Information Technology (IT) teachers are highly required, but the school has only one computer. This is not sufficient to teach the whole class, but the school is in the process of getting more computers.
We have an open policy and applicants with other ideas to share are also welcome to apply and will be considered.
Volunteers need to contribute/initiate ideas and by that would be promoting the growth of the School. This is an opportunity for the volunteers to work at a community/grassroot level in capacity building and training in self-sustainability.

Duration of the project: The schools in Kenya run from January to April, from May to August and from September to November. The time frame is open.

Orientation: Orientation meeting will take place in Nairobi before proceeding to the project.

Accommodation: In a rental house or with a host family.

Location: Mshimba High School is located in Coast province, Taita Taveta District, Rang’e Location, Msau/Rahai Sub-Location, Msau area. The region is hot and humid during the day, temperatures rising to 28°–30°C. Msau is a relatively small town, not very well developed, but it has electricity, telephone lines and piped water. The nearest shopping center, cyber cafes, Post office, clubs, ATM are in Voi town which is 20–30 minutes drive from Msau. There is a church nearby, a local health center and the local market is within the area; the nearest supermarket is 16 km away. The nearest township is Voi. It is also near the second largest city in Kenya and tourist attraction area - Mombasa. The terrain of Msau is flat and hilly.

Taita and Taveta are the ethnic tribes residing in this area. Kitaita is the most spoken language there. The majority of the people are not educated, including old and young.
Kiswahili is more commonly spoken than English, but both Kiswahili and English are  spoken in the central business area and Government offices and are popular among the young professionals.
Economically, the Taita people are low-income/peasant farmers, and the rate of poverty is high because of lack of education, cultural and traditional beliefs, unfavorable climatic conditions and poor infrastructure.
Socially, coastal people are good, friendly and accommodative. There are also other tribes within the area like Kikuyu, Luo, Luhya, etc. Christianity is the dominant practiced religion in this area, but Islam has also many followers. The staple food is Ugali.

Age range: 23 and over

Participation fee: $590 CAD

Extra fee: 400 Euro for every 2 months
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 


 

Providing assistance for patients and staff at Nyanza Provincial General Hospital "Russia"
       Kisumu, Nyanza province

Brief history of the project: Nyanza Provincial General Hospital was constructed and funded by the Russian government and completed in 1965 in collaboration with the Kenyan government. The hospital was later on officially opened in 1969.
The Hospital has a staff of 493 of which 32 are doctors. The hospital is fully funded by the Government and has the following partners: KEMRI, Alliance Clubs, Walter Reeds and Red Cross. The hospital is also known as "Russia", commonly referred to that name by the local people of Kisumu.

Volunteer work: Volunteers' major duties include:
• Attending to patients.
• Responsible for day-to-day coordination with the hospital staff and patients to ensure performance of the hospital operation.
• Counseling of the patients.
Note: All these duties will be directed by the hospital senior management.
All volunteers are also required to bring a letter of approval from the Ministry of Health or a University in their country.
The volunteers will be working from Monday to Saturday. The number of hours will be decided by the hospital management.

Special requirements: Doctors, nurses, paramedics, and medical students are required for this project. However, we have an open policy and applicants with other ideas to share are also welcome to apply and will be considered.
Volunteers need to contribute/initiate ideas and by that would be promoting the growth of the Hospital. This is an opportunity for the volunteers to work at a community/grassroot level in capacity building and training in self-sustainability.

Duration of the project: The program will run for a minimum of 1 month and a maximum of 6 months. The program is running throughout the year.

Orientation: Orientation meeting will take place in Nairobi before proceeding to the project.

Accommodation: At a host family.

Location: Nyanza Provincial General Hospital is situated in Nyanza Province, Kisumu city, Kisumu Municipality, approximately 350 kilometers from Nairobi. This is a Lake Basin region with hilly terrain. The region is hot during the day, temperatures sometimes rising to 25° –28°C. At night it can be humid. Kisumu is the third largest city, well developed in terms of infrastructure (roads and communication network). It has electricity, telephone lines and piped water but not all the houses have these facilities. Facilities and services such as cyber cafes, ATMs can be found in Kisumu city.
Volunteers will use public transport “Matatu” (minibuses) to get to the project site. It is 6 hours drive from Nairobi. To get to Nyanza Provincial Hospital, which is 10 minutes drive from Kisumu city, the volunteers will take public vehicles.

Kiswahili and Luo are the most spoken languages within the area; if you go further to the villages, Luo is commonly spoken. Majority of the people are not educated, especially the older people. Kiswahili and English are spoken in the central business area and Government offices, and are popular among the young professionals.

Kisumu city has an estimated population of 2,000,000, most of them with certain education level, therefore making it easier to educate basic life saving skills and sorting out ways of fighting poverty within the area. The area has rich cultivation grounds, but sometimes faces acute water shortages that can be controlled if proper storage facilities are constructed and put in use.
Economically the Luos are fishermen and farmers, but the rate of poverty is high because of lack of water distribution.

Age range: 20 and over

Participation fee: $590 CAD

Extra fee: 400 Euro for every 2 months
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 


 

        
 

FACTS ABOUT KENYA
Kenya is named after Mount Kenya or “Kirinyaga”, the mountain of whiteness. Kenya is the most popular safari destination in the world! Roughly the size of Texas. Kenya is famous for its ‘out of Africa’ scenic beauty, diverse cultures and abundant wildlife. Kenya’s coastline and tropical beaches are equally inviting. Kenya’s wildlife is its prime attraction – the Maasai mara, Tsavo, Amboselli and L. Nakuru are some of Africa’s most well known National Parks. Kenya is a mosaic of different cultures and traditions, Kenya and its people, have the natural ability to make every traveler/visitor feel at home – Karibu a Swahili word meaning welcome, is often heard.

Area: Kenya covers 582,644 Sq. Km, 13,600 Km of which is lakes. Lying astride the Equator, Kenya extends approximately 4 ½ degrees North and 4 ½ South of Equator.

Borders with: Uganda, Tanzania, Somalia, Sudan, and Ethiopia

Population: Kenya has a colorful mixture of people as well as a cocktail of cultures. The current population is about 33 millions made of over 40 ethnic tribes. Growth rate of 3.3%. However, the Bantus, Nilotes and Cushites form the bulk of the population. The minority, Asians, Arabs and Europeans live in urban centers. This ethnic diversity has produced a harmonious mixture of people with rich cultural heritage.

Capital: Nairobi

Time: GMT/UTC +3 all year round with almost constant 12 hours of daylight. Sun up and down at around 6.30 and 18.45 daily.

Official language: English and Kiswahili

Political system: Currently the Constitution of Kenya is under review and once enacted could change the political landscape of Kenya.

Climate: The Coast is always hot with 27 -31° C while the average temperature in Nairobi is 21 - 26° C.

Religion: Christianity is the dominant religion. There is also a large Muslim community.

Education: An education system mainly involving 8 years of free primary education, 4 years of secondary level and 4 years university level offered in 5 public and several private universities as well as other colleges and institutions of higher learning.

Media: Four daily English language newspapers, 1 daily Kiswahili newspaper, 7 local TV stations and 19 local and 2 foreign radio stations.

Historical sites: Kenya has more than 400 historical sites ranging from pre-historic fossils and petrified forests to 14th century slave trading settlements, Islamic ruins and 16th century Portuguese forts.

Tourism: Biggest contributor with 200 million a year to Kenya’s economy. More than 500,000 visit annually. Tourism provides 0.5 million direct and indirect jobs for Kenyans.

Rivers and Lakes: The Athi and Tana are Kenya’s chief rivers, flowing from the highlands to the Indian Ocean. L.Turkana covers 6,405 sq.km in the far north while L.Victoria, Africa’s largest lake at 69,484 sq km, lies at the western end of Kenya.

Manufacturing: Main products include cement, chemicals, household utensils, light machinery, vehicle assembling, paper products and textile. Food processing is a major industry and a refinery at Mombasa processes oil from other countries.

Mining: Centers around soda, fluorite, salt and gemstones.

Exports: Coffee, Tea, Flowers, Petroleum products, Cement, Meat, Pineapples and Sisal.

Imports: Industrial machinery, Iron and Steel and Petroleum.
 

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 © 2008 Canadian Alliance for Development Initiatives and Projects