Educational Resources Support

Are you interested in an international developmental project working with a rural school? Are you good with kids and youth? Do you want yourself experiencing a new cultural vibe? If yes is your answer, then this is the right place to come to.

KARIBU SANA!! (SWAHILI FOR MOST WELCOME)

Introduction –

Vision Academy was started under a cashew tree at a village township called Bamburi in Majenge Kanamai Location, approximately 2-3 hours from the airport. It was established in the May of 2006 with the sole purpose of educating the poor and the needy rural kids and also establishing a holistic form of education. Additionally, the unemployed people around also get a chance to work in the school and be the bread-earners of their families.

Soon, the town developed little by little but the concept of education and schooling is still outdated in most areas with some institutes surviving barely with minimal electricity or such other basic resources.

Soon the schools and other childcare projects independently joined hands with each other to sustain and develop newer ideas for growth and technological progress.

Background Information –

The founder, Mr. Sylvester Kalenga, came across a lot of poor and needy children in the neighborhood communities. In the absence of due educational support by the government, he decided to start off a primary school with a few children and soon it grew in numbers. It was his high school dream to provide for the community as things have drastically changed in the modern world. Previously a hotelier by profession, he has ample experience in dealing with tourists and visitors which is where he knows the environmental impact of cross-cultural exchange which can bring a new dimension to the educational system.

Post-Pandemic era –

The school is set in the rural background of a distant county. Through sustainable collaboration from the parents and unofficial aid from other schools and sponsors during the curfew, the school somehow managed to wither the storm. Although it’s still standing on paper, the financial damage really hampered the school’s upliftment progress. What appeals to the eye is the joint effort of the staff to keep the kids well-fed and happy despite a massive budget crunch. Hence, the call for help is to provide a silver lining for the much-awaited educational and basic needs support.

Current structure –

The school has two system of Education:

1. C B C
2. 8-4-4

 Facilities in the school:

We have 10 class rooms, 2 toilets, 1 small kitchen and a well.

Mission –

1. To provide basic education to the needy and poor kids.
2. To teach the people new ways of sustainability in the absence of long-term standing careers.
3. To teach the surrounding communities about Afro-Western collaboration and bring about a change in the traditional concept.
4. To help grow the school into a standing symbol for holistic education through digitization.
5. To promote and realize the values of cross-cultural exchange amongst the locals, to inspire respect, accord and help foreigners learn the beauty of Kenyan culture. 

Aim –

The main aim of this project is to provide educational resources such as books, clothes, etcetera for the school children, besides helping out in renovating the school.

We are looking for volunteers for the following agenda:

1. Fundraising assistance.
2. Resources support like buying stationery items, digitization tools, clothing for the kids.
3. Engaging the staff in student-friendly pedagogy and assisting them in better ways of learning.
4. Engaging in art and craft activities.
5. Vlogging on the school’s situation and background, if possible.

An enriching CV and a memorable journey that helps you grow further both in career and life.

First Day: On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your accommodation by a local coordinator/staff member and allowed to relax and rest.

Following that, you will meet the organizational hierarchy who will explain the work and the ongoing projects to be done. Please ensure to inform the admin/contact person about the flight ETA and other details, as and when required, prior to the journey. This would avoid any unnecessary loss of time by waiting at the airport. 

A typical volunteer day would be as follows:

• 8.30 AM: Volunteer leaves for the project destination. The volunteer joins with the local staff and will be oriented about the work to be done.
• 12.00 PM – 2.00 PM: Lunch break. During this lunch break, you are welcome to eat out or eat at the accommodation.
• 2.00 PM - 4.00 PM: Work at the project usually ends. The volunteer at this point is free to travel around and explore or do anything at his/her own choice.
• 7.00 PM: Dinner in the accommodations.

Usual work days are Monday to Friday. 

Saturdays and Sundays are off-work days.

Official languages are Swahili and English.

Wildlife:

Kenya has a considerable land area devoted to wildlife habitats, including the Masai Mara, where blue wildebeest and other bovids participate in large-scale annual migration.

The “Big five” game animals of Africa (lion, leopard, buffalo, Rhinoceros and elephants) can be found in the Masai Mara in particular.

The annual animal migration occurs between June and September, with millions of animals taking part, attracting valuable foreign tourism.

During the weekend, volunteers have spare time to relax or take the opportunity to explore the Mombasa locale, such as visiting the beach, planning a fun and entertainment program with the kids, visiting local homes, etc.

NOTE – The program coordinator can arrange for sightseeing, only after proper intimation and discussion.