Community Work with Children in Nakuru

  Kenya

Nakuru

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: multiple dates year round

Description: Children facing life on the street continues to be a major issue in the rift valley town of Nakuru and in the capital city of Nairobi. By supporting several local projects we are working to help tackle this problem. At a boys' home in Nakuru, you can make a positive contribution by cooking meals, teaching English and playing sports. Or work with a Nakuru youth outreach center, helping out with disadvantaged children of all ages. In Nairobi you can work to motivate, befriend and teach vocational skills to street children living in residential centers.

By 2001 an estimated 890,000 children in Kenya had been orphaned by the HIV/AIDS virus, and with 15% of the population between 15 and 49 believed to be carrying the virus, there is an increasing number of children caught up in the wake of the epidemic. The overall result has been a dramatic increase in the number of children, from toddlers to teens, who are living on the streets. Without the means to make any kind of living, they are subject to severe poverty, abuse, drugs and worse. While some children do have surviving relatives to take them in, often the families cannot fully support them, and are able to provide little more than a roof and the occasional meal.

The projects that we work with in Nakuru aim to bring the children in off the streets, or to protect them from becoming street children where their relatives cannot support them. Volunteers are desperately needed to support the staff running the centres, and to provide some basic skills and companionship. As English is a national language in Kenya, English teachers are a permanent necessity and by helping in these areas you can bring an invaluable skill to the children you work with.

Highlights: Nakuru is Kenya's fourth biggest town and is about 160km from Nairobi. It's fairly laid-back and modern with relatively good transport, and is well linked to the rest of the country. Facilities are good, with several banks, internet cafes, tour operators and small hotels. Water and electricity may occasionally cut out, but in general they will be available.

Due to the nature of the centers, life at either of the centers will be varied and full. Your role will almost certainly involve an element of teaching usually English, but also math, health education, or any other areas that you can contribute to. In order to give the older children some more practical skills, there may well be the opportunity for vocational guidance, such as carpentry or arts and crafts for selling on. In the past volunteers have become involved with knitting projects and have even assisted in cooking meals, alongside the standard teaching roles. Volunteers will also find they become a role model figure, and offer friendship and confidence to such disadvantaged children.

Some of the children are at the center all the time while others go out to school during the day & return for lunch (from midday to 1.00pm). If you work over the weekends you will be able to get more involved in the extra-curricular activities. During the school holidays (April, August and December) the children will be at the center all day.

Qualifications: Independence, enthusiasm, willingness to work hard.

Cost in US$: $1395 for 2 weeks; $175 each additional week

Before you depart we offer:

- detailed information on your project and country
- fundraising advice and support
- visa instructions
- vaccination recommendations
- advice on health, safety & culture shock
- English teacher training course (TEFL)
- contact details to pass along to your family

When you arrive we provide:

- pick-up from the airport on the designated arrival date
- welcome orientation
- accommodation and food
- well-researched, quality placement
- support of in-country i-to-i team

You will always have:

- access to our emergency support team 24/7
- assistance of the global i-to-i staff
- guidance and advice from experienced i-to-i travelers

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: If you are interested in immersing yourself in another culture while giving your time to a worthy cause, then you are a typical i-to-i volunteer. We invite you to join the i-to-i community of dedicated volunteers aged 18-80 who are working on community development, building, teaching, and conservation projects across the globe. Together, we make a lasting impact that changes lives and helps preserve the planet through hundreds of worthwhile projects around the world.

Age Range: 18-80

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Kenya Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: Founded in 1994, i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations and over 15,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 300 projects on 4 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, sports coaching, conservation, building or internships in tourism, marketing, journalism, or health.

Year Founded: 1994