The language of sports is a
universal messenger of joy and cultural unity. If you are into sports and share
the same intent, we welcome you to help the kids.
Debrief – An ideal project for short-term volunteers, visitors and even working nomads, no specific skills are required. Just a love for any kind of sports.
Volunteers should bring their own sports kit, headgear and light-weight scarf for dust protection, insect repellent, working boots and water bottle. Please also note, projects and volunteer roles will vary from school to school. You can also get local sports kit at a much cheaper rate, in case you want to travel light.
What is it about?
This project focuses primarily on anything to do surrounding sports. From helping and indulging with the PE teacher to devising new exercise routines or simply playing a few games with the kids, the volunteers don’t need any specific qualification for this particular project. Kenya is soccer crazy but if you have a knack for another sport or something that is new in Kenyan culture, you are more than welcome to share (Who knows we might have the next sports star in the making here!!). If you are somebody with a knack for outdoor engagements and a good level of fitness, this will be a perfect project for you.
Background –
In African communities, Sport, like any other human activity, is set in the physical environment and is bound to have effects on it and be affected by it. Africa’s performance in sports is dependent on mostly nature, endurance and consistence by the candidates plus use of role model unlike in developed countries where the level of socioeconomic factors plays a major role in determining the outcome or success of a sportsman. In ancient times, the games were by males only. Women were neither allowed to participate nor spectate. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in the Western contexts, women were restricted, or forbidden, from participation in sport due to concerns over their perceived frailness and inability to cope with the competitive nature.
Impact –
In 1995, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), together with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), hosted a World Conference on Sport and the Environment. The then IOC President Samaranch remarked that “The International Olympic Committee is resolved to ensure that the environment becomes the third dimension of the organization of the Olympic Games, the first and second being sport and culture”. But the question arises: what has Kenya done so far in imparting the ideology and the awareness of the necessity of sports in young lives? Kenya is slowly starting to overcome the hurdles of societal negativity of feminine involvement in sports but the pace has to be quickened. When it comes to agility and strength in sports, Kenya stands among the firsts internationally, especially when it comes to games like long distance running and rugby. Sports in Kenya are organized from two perspectives; educational for schools, and out of school for recreation or competition.
Location –
Mombasa is a touristy coastal city of not just Kenya but also East Africa. It’s round-the-year hot and humid so expect to be surrounded by serene splash of waves on the beach and dusty roads. Overall, it is surrounded by forest reserves and hilly ranges which adds it to one of the most tourist-friendly attractions in the world. Kenyans are lovely, warm people with a heart for friendly exchanges and interactions with tourists.
Challenges faced:
Requirements:
We are looking for volunteers to help us with newer ideas about indulging and playing different sports. Even making a routine for the fitness of students is a happy start. Visitors would also get a chance to experience local lunch sessions with staff and students.
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 admin and the organizational hierarchy who will explain the work and the ongoing projects to be done.
Weekdays - A typical volunteer day would be as follows:
Day 1
Day 2 onwards
Volunteers have their own choice to work at their own pace and flexibility but it is advised to get to work in the early hours as the sun and humidity combines a massive scorcher past 10-11 am. The rest of the day goes on as usual.
Usual workdays: sports can be played anytime however, for special PE sessions, it is better to indulge during weekends as the academic pressure would be a bit lower.
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.
Also, they can tour in and around places like Malindi, Kilifi, Watamu and so on.
There’s no dearth of places of rich and cultural heritage and the famed African wildlife. One must not miss out on the chance of a local safari to Tsavo hills or Arabuko reserves.
NOTE – The program coordinator can arrange for sightseeing, only after proper intimation and discussion.
What's included:
What's not included:
The visa arrangements, pre-departure PCR tests, vaccination costs (if the traveler is unvaccinated or partially vaccinated) and the flight costs have to be done on the applicant’s part. The program supervisors will try their utmost best to make the volunteer’s journey and stay hassle-free.
According to current rules, if the visitor is unvaccinated, don’t get scared. We got you covered. You can come to Kenya and get it for free! Sounds good, right?
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION -
We do understand that some volunteers may not be able to spend as much so it is better that they discuss with the management prior to arranging a stay. In the times of the pandemic, empathy is a route to better communication and compassion. Although the money is directly invested for the provisions of the volunteers and the children and the caregivers, what we need in exchange for a budget compromise is your love, energy and ideas that can suit our betterment.
Volunteers have the option to stay in the school, where you can expect to share a room with other volunteers. Usually, the school doesn’t have much facilities but can be arranged with a ground carpet/mattress.
Volunteers are provided with two meals per day (breakfast and dinner), which are served at the accommodation. However, in case of lunch, it may be at one’s own expense or sometimes shared with the school staff. Not to worry, a proper local lunch usually costs no more than 1.5-2 euros.
Breakfast is served around 7-8 am and generally consists of chai (tea), toast, fruit and sometimes mandazi (African donuts). A typical lunch can include vegetables with rice, ugali, green vegetables, occasional meat and fruit and is best taken around 1-2 pm. Dinner is usually served around 7-8 pm and usually includes traditional food, such as ugali, chapati, mboga and irio, alongside meat and vegetables.
Tap water is usually not safe to drink in the project site due to its closeness to the Indian ocean, though bottled water is readily available. However, clean water is available at the accommodation. Volunteers typically drink around half a gallon, or two liters, per day, which adds up to cost around $5-10 per week although drinking water is available at the volunteer house.
If you have any special dietary requirements, please make a note on your application so arrangements can be made. However, it is important that volunteers do not expect to eat as you normally do at home.
No specific start date would be announced. However, with the new programs fast approaching, It would be useful for the volunteers to make the journey at the soonest and get the maximal experience. It also avoids expensive flight tickets in a hassle.
The program orientation begins usually on the day of the volunteer’s arrival or the day after, given the randomly changing flight schedules in lieu of the recent covid19 situation. First day would be ideal to acquaint yourself with the humid weather and relax to recuperate from the jet-lag.
Once your orientation is complete, you will be guided to your work location and you can proceed with the relevant work.
**We strongly advise visitors not to reserve night flights as transport for pick-up might not be available. Preferably between 2300 to 0400 hours any day (east African Time).
Sports Training Assistant/Playtime Companion
The schools would like someone to help with sports training and be a playtime companion such as volleyball, football, badminton and add newness.
$100/week
You requested a page that doesn't exist on this site any more. This could be caused by a link you followed that was out of date, by a typing in the wrong address in the address bar, or simply because the post has been deleted.