The program
Volunteers play an essential role in supporting this program, delivering essential services relating to the huge challenges faced by drug users and the community in Diani Beach. On this project, volunteers will work alongside a team of local volunteers to run a drug awareness community center. The main role of the center is to carry out daily outreach walks into the areas where drug users are known to spend time. This project is not for the faint of heart, and will require a great deal of maturity and strength on the part of the volunteer, yet volunteers are desperately needed to aid in keeping users and non-users safe, raising drug awareness and assisting with many other initiatives of this vital program. Volunteers need to be aware that they will be working hands on with users of hard drugs and WILL witness people injecting drugs during the daily outreach walks. As a result of this, there is a strict minimum age limit of 21 to join this program. Volunteers do not need a background in the Medical field, though Nurses, Doctors, and pre-med students are welcome to join.
Goals of this Project:
Volunteers on this program play an essential role in helping drug users and in reducing the transmission rate of disease and other health issues in the community. Volunteers will find they at working right at the heart of drug and health issues in Diani Beach, helping the addicted to achieve a better life, and working on awareness and education programs. Volunteers will visit drug taking areas with program staff, and hand out packs of clean needles, syringes, alcohol wipes and injecting liquid. They will also pick up and safely dispose of used needles, clean and dress abscesses and wounds the drug users have. Volunteers need to be prepared to work hands on with drug addicts and witness them injecting heroin on a daily basis. Volunteers will spend afternoons at the center in the community working with any drop in clients and planning community activities to raise awareness of drugs, HIV/AIDS, sexual health and hygiene.
Volunteers will contribute in a number of ways on this program and can expect to undertake the following tasks:
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 with your host family
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
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.
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.
Volunteers on this project are billeted with one of our wonderful local host families in Diani Beach 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). Lunch is not included but is often 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.
This program is paused due to COVID-19
Drug Rehabilitation Assistant
Carry out a hands-on awareness program and go on daily outreach walks to provide proactive help, pick up and dispose used needles and clean addicts's wounds.
$414/week
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