Volunteer abroad in orphanages in Kenya
VTKEPH1
Volunteers that are at least 21 years old are welcome for a minimum of 8 weeks.
Just outside central Nairobi, this hospice & orphanage cares for about 100 HIV-positive children. They range in age from 2 to 22 years old and stay at the orphanage until they finish school. They live in groups of 10-15 and are supervised by 1-2 house mothers. The older children live more independently and cook their own food. The orphanage compound includes a communal kitchen, playground, classrooms, a small farm and is protected by private security. There is also a diagnostic laboratory for HIV testing which also serves 3000 children in greater Nairobi through the organization's outreach effort.
The orphanage was founded by Jesuits and is operated according to Catholic Christian values. The children regularly attend Mass and are raised to believe in a religious environment. Volunteers are not expected to follow the same beliefs, but must respect the faith-based nature of this project, listen to guidance from the staff and accept the routines and practices in place.
Volunteers that are at least 21 years old and wish to offer their time here are welcome for a minimum of 2 months (8 weeks). This includes a 2 week orientation, 4 weeks of working with the children and 2 weeks of debriefing, travel and leisure time. Placements begin on set times during the year and are available in 3 periods corresponding with the school vacation time that the children have: Approximately March 15 – May 15, July 15 – September 15 and November 15 – January 15.
Orientation is spent adjusting to the new environment and developing lesson plans. During the 4-week work segment, there is a set schedule that the children follow. They are separated into groups and attend classes in the morning, followed by various activities in the evening. Volunteers help with both, and can create activities if they have relevant abilities and experience. Weekends and evenings are free for the volunteers to take day trips, spend quality time with the children and take Swahili lessons.
Accommodation is inside the orphanage compound, in a building with 8 separate suites, directly behind the children's houses. Each suite may house up to 2-3 volunteers and each volunteer has a twin bed. Meals are prepared for the children and the entire staff & volunteers, but there are also en-suite kitchens and mini-refrigerators so that volunteers can prepare their own meals, if they prefer. Each suite has a bathroom with a flush toilet, sink & shower.
The surrounding area (Karen) is an upper-class neighbourhood that is home to politicians, diplomats and private schools. It is named after Karen Blixen, the Danish author immortalized in ”Out of Africa”, the Oscar-winning 1985 film. There are supermarkets and many other facilities nearby, to which it is safe to take taxis and public transport. However, Nairobi can be dangerous, and all volunteers are expected to be back before dark.
Volunteering here can be a very rewarding and humbling experience. The children are growing up with many challenges, but learn to smile and overcome them. Volunteers here make a tremendous impact and become role models for the children.
|
