Teach and care in Kenya

Placement number: 0205
Location:      Kenya
Preferred Languages: English and Swahili
Date:  All year
Minimum Period : 3 weeks

Our care centre is a charity that runs a local Kindergaten and Primary School. We were set up in 2004 to provide education for orphans and children from the local Mtongwe area of Mombasa, Kenya, many of whom have been and still are affected by HIV/AIDS. The school has grown from just 10 children to 249 children today. 50% of these children are orphaned, many living with extended family or friends. About 10 - 15% of the parents of the children work, receiving approximately US$2 a day, while the rest survive on about US$1 a day. This small amount of money often has to support large families and as a result many go without food. Destiny Garden provides its children with a main meal at lunch which is making a big difference to their lives.

At the moment we receive money from an international donor, however, this money cannot provide for everything. Donations and sponsorship are greatly needed from international and national donors in order for this extremely worthwhile project to carry on benefitting the children of the Mtongwe area.

We would really like to be able to expand and provide healthcare for the local population, which would be more possible with more funding.

Role of Volunteer

Volunteers are greatly needed for general teaching around the school (anything from english to maths to science). The ages of the children at present are from 3 - 14 years. Imagination is a great tool here as resources like textbooks are lacking.

Volunteers are also needed to help publicise the school - seeking ways to fundraise, set up new sponsors etc.

This role enables you to take the initiative and be creative. Ideas are always listened to and you are encouraged to actively participate in the running of the Madabiliko and it's future direction. 

Volunteer Stories

Rachel McGahey, August - September 2007
"I had no idea how rewarding teaching could be until I started teaching here. I have never met children who are so eager to learn. This eagerness really motivates you to try your hardest to find sponsors and donors to help the children's families pay for them to come to school and for the school to carry on educating them. You know that you are living and working in a poor area but until you actually visit some of the families you have no idea how difficult it is for them."

Matthew Pike Sept 2007
"So far my experiences here have been enjoyable and I have made some very good friends, but it has also been a real eye opener for me and has at times been upsetting. But the freedom I have been given by the charity to pursue ideas in my own way and my own time is everything I could have wished for to try and make a difference and help people in the region. "

Cost

Volunteers are expected to pay around 120GBP a month for food and accomodation. Part of what you pay also goes to helping the running of the school. Travel from the airport is normally in a taxi (approx. 30GBP), however, you can request not to travel in a taxi, instead choosing the local matatu's. 

Travel

Travel from the airport is normally in a taxi (approx. 30GBP), however, you can request not to travel in a taxi.