The project
As the name suggests, this program is focused on working towards the welfare and development of orphan kids in the local communities of Nairobi and around.
There are thousands of children in Kenya who have lost either both or one of their parents due to HIV AIDS. Many orphans are taken by their extended family members and foster parents but some families find it difficult to take care of kids for financial reasons and due to this reason place them in orphanage and children's care homes. Volunteers spend time at these centers to engage the kids in productive activities, play games, tell stories, share experiences, enhance general knowledge, help with their studies, and any way they think they can contribute and share love with these kids.
Volunteer work
In many of the orphanage project placements, the school going children are in the school during the school term in morning hours. During these hours, only the smaller children are at the orphanages and the volunteers are expected to assist in daily chores such as cooking, cleaning and washing during these hours. After the children come back from school during afternoons, volunteers play with them and help them in their studies.
These orphanages are run by local NGOs and often face manpower crunch. Volunteers can also help in various other administrative works at the center.
The tasks and daily work of volunteers under the orphanage volunteering program in Kenya varies and depends on the requirements at the center. This may include, but not limited to;
- Work alongside the existing staff to care for the children in the orphanages.
- Take part in feeding, dressing and keeping the children active within the homes.
- Assist the local staff and caretakers in daily work to help them run the orphanage in a better way; such as, cleaning and tidy the homes as well as cooking.
- Assist in the office of the orphanage if you think you can contribute to make them more organized and run in a more efficient manner.
- Teach the kids, play with them, prepare their daily records, Get involved in preparing their dishes, help in washing their cloth and some administrative work also.
- At times, attend meetings on behalf of the orphanage.
Please note
It is very important for the volunteers to understand the sensitivity of this program as it involves working with children and should be taken with utmost responsibility. These are not very large centers and have very basic facilities available. On an average there are around 15-20 children in a center where placement is provided.
