The program
On this amazing program volunteers work with vulnerable children in community-care centers in either Mombasa or Diani Beach. In Mombasa the local team work closely with two schools in the community. One is a smaller children’s home with 25 children from ages 2-14 years where volunteers can assist with teaching the toddler’s class during the day and planning activities and trips out for the older children. The other option is a larger center and school with 38 orphans and 200 students at the school. Here volunteers can run classes and activities in both the school and care centers. Both sites appreciate volunteers with experience in social work, counselling, construction, building, behavior management and working with special needs children.
The Diani Beach community-care center is situated around an hour from Mombasa. The center is run by a Reverend and has strong religious values. There are 58 children aged from 4-23 years at the center. Volunteers can be involved in teaching the youngest children, plan activities and trips, fundraise, complete construction projects, paint, clean, help with homework and chores. The children have formed a band and visit local hotels to raise money. Volunteers with musical knowledge could assist with this.
Goals of this Project:
- Provide essential childcare to vulnerable children
- Improve the future prospects of the children of Kenya
- Give impoverished children quality care, compassion and a sense of hope
- Enable inter-cultural exchange which benefits both locals and international volunteers alike.
How you can help
Volunteers play an essential role in helping disadvantaged children through this program. Participants will spend their time taking care of children and assist the local staff as needed. Volunteers will be busy working with the children, helping feed them and other care essentials, playing games and are encouraged to use their skills and interests to develop fun things for the children to do. The children supported by this project have been extremely disadvantaged by their circumstances and will have endured a great deal of hardship - much of it holding back their development. Volunteers will be supplying much-needed attention, compassion, hope, encouragement, support and love to vulnerable children. Volunteers support the children to become empowered to face the challenges of their life, poverty and possible exploitation.
Volunteers will contribute in a number of ways on this program and can expect to undertake the following tasks:
- Help to feed and care for the children
- Attend to and interact with the children
- Create activities and entertain the children with games and songs, etc
- Work in volunteer’s field of expertise such as counselling, construction, etc
- Teach younger children
Typical day
A volunteer’s work day on this project will generally last between 4 and 6 hours and while we ask all volunteers to be flexible in this regard, a typical daily schedule is likely to go something like this:
7:00am Breakfast at the volunteer house
7:30am Walk or bus to your project site
8:45am Pre-start meeting with project supervisor
9:00am VOLUNTEERING DUTIES START
A tea break and lunch break will be fitted in during the day, but often the timing of breaks will change based on the needs of the local staff and number of volunteers on hand.
3:00pm VOLUNTEERING DUTIES END
3:15pm Debrief with project supervisor
3:30pm Walk or bus back to the accommodation
Evenings Volunteers are free to explore the local area, check out the multitude of local restaurants, bars and cafes, or relax with the other volunteers
Details on Arrival
This project is available year-round and programs start every SUNDAY. Volunteers can choose to participate for periods ranging from 4 weeks to 12 weeks.
Spaces on this project are limited and therefore subject to availability. Early booking is recommended.
Free-time activities
With some of the best beaches in the world, Mombasa is Kenya’s main tourist destination. It is located on the Eastern coastline of Kenya bordering the Indian Ocean. There is a tropical climate all year and the city is filled with many things to do during the day and at night.
Inscribed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2011, Fort Jesus is one of the oldest European buildings on the eastern coast of Africa. The ultimate in indestructible fortresses, it stands 15 meters (50ft) high on the seaward side, where it overlooks the entrance to the Old Harbor, and its stone walls are up to 2.5 meters (8ft) thick.
The Old Town, located around Fort Jesus is a great place to visit. This historic district has mostly been converted into souvenir shops and restaurants. A maze of alleys, many too narrow to allow motor traffic, the Old Town sprawls out either side of the Ndia Kuu Road. A nice place to explore on a Sunday when much of the city is closed down. Mombasa is a truly epic place to visit and be a volunteer!
Diani Beach is a fantastic long white beach with loads of water sports and primates to see. A night at ‘40 Thieves’ beach bar is a great place to hang out for a few tuskers (beers). From Mombasa you can catch the ferry from Mombasa town center across to Diani and then Matatu to the beach - approx. 1 hour travel time.
Zoo
Opera
Program Requirements
Included Services
Before your journey
On-site services
- Airport pick-up on arrival
- Orientation & full safety briefing
- Accommodation (as specified above)
- Food & Meals (as specified above)
- 24/7 local support network
- Project placement & onsite supervision
- Registration fee included
Upon arrival into Mombasa volunteers will be collected by a representative of the local project team and transported to the volunteer house accommodation where they will join a full orientation session where a representative from the local team will fill you in on local and regional customs, traveling, rules and recommendations, and of course, what to expect from your volunteering experience in Kenya. This is a great opportunity to get to know your hosts, meet your fellow volunteers, and ask any last questions you may have.
- Program Arrival Day: SUNDAY
- Program Departure Day: SATURDAY
- Arrival/Departure Airport: Moi International Airport, Mombasa, Kenya (CODE: MBA)
Volunteers on this program are accommodated within a large and spacious volunteer house, located in a safe and convenient suburb of Mombasa within a short commute to all the main attractions of this fascinating city. Volunteers are provided with a comfortable shared bedroom and shared bathroom, separated by gender, and thanks to the variety and popularity of this program location, they will have the opportunity to meet and socialize with other like-minded people from around the world. Linen and mosquito nets are provided. Wifi is available onsite, though service may not be as reliable as most are accustomed to at home. There are no hot showers, these are not common in Mombasa due to the climate. As with most parts of Africa, laundry facilities are basic and most volunteers simply use the services of a local laundromat.
While the accommodation is basic, this is part of the challenge and experience of volunteering in a developing country. With a little patience, and a flexible attitude, you will quickly get used to your new surroundings. The volunteer house is well managed by the local team and there is an onsite ‘house mama’ to look after volunteers. A perfect home away from home and a wonderful base for your stay in Kenya!
There is a variety of public transport available in Mombasa, Bus (Matatu), Tuk Tuk and Motorcycle. It is not recommended to take motorcycles on highway routes or long distances.
If you opt to attend this program in Diani Beach, you will be billeted with one of our wonderful local host families who are experienced in hosting international volunteers.
This will involve shared bedrooms and bathrooms. Please keep in mind that some will consist of squat toilets and bucket showers. Although most families have running water, hot water is still uncommon among local families in Kenya.
Staying with a local Kenyan family is a great way to be truly immersed in the local culture.
Volunteers are provided 2 meals per day (breakfast and dinner) at the
volunteer house during the working week and 3 meals are provided if you
are at your accommodation during weekends. Lunch is not included during
the working week but is often be taken at small cafes or restaurants
where you can try cheap and tasty local food. You are also free to buy
bread and other snacks. The meals provided are mostly vegetarian, local
cuisine. Conveniently, there is also a fridge and basic cooking
facilities if volunteers would occasionally like to prepare their own
meals. Easy!
Volunteers are provided 2 meals per day (breakfast and dinner). Lunch is not included but is often taken at small cafes or restaurants where you can try cheap and tasty local food.
Program Fees
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