Community Work with Children in Mombasa, Kenya

  Kenya

• Mombasa: 
Mombasa

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: multiple start dates year round

Description: If you're resilient, patient and optimistic, a number of projects in Mombasa need your support helping vulnerable children. Mombasa is Kenya's second largest city and is home to more than 30,000 street children and many more youngsters who have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. By giving your support to these local initiatives, you'll reach out to some of those children and help put their lives back on track. You also enjoy a full immersion into this stunning coastal city, which boasts some of the world's best beaches. While at times these projects may be challenging, you can be sure your hard work will be worthwhile.

*What does this community project do?
This project encompasses a number of projects that aim to alleviate some of the difficult circumstances facing many young people living in Mombasa today. There are opportunities to work with children who have been abandoned; orphaned as a result of HIV/AIDS; or whose families may be entrenched in poverty and unable to take care of them. Many of these children are street kids who receive care and education at rescue centres and children's homes. These projects exist to rescue, rehabilitate, educate and relocate children who have suffered great hardships as a result of poverty and difficult family backgrounds.

*Why does this project need volunteers?
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 i-to-i work with in Mombasa endeavour to offer support and advice to young people affected by homelessness, poverty and/or the HIV/AIDS epidemic. 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 young people you work with.

Find out more about i-to-i, watch their short video here: http://video.i-to-i.com/site-videos/video.html

Highlights:
* The opportunity to make a real contribution to the lives of young people in Mombasa
* Experiencing all that Mombasa has to offer - history, lively streets and nearby beaches
* Learning about Kenya from the 'inside'

Qualifications: The skills you need:

You will need to be flexible, and have initiative and enthusiasm to face the many hurdles and challenges that you will inevitably encounter within your role. To ensure that you get the most out of and contribute fully to your project, a pro-active attitude is essential. Any skills that you have in sports, music, drama, art or fundraising will be more than welcome.

Above all, you must have a love of children and commitment to the project. Volunteers with experience in physical education may be able to get involved with strenuous physical activities as part of detoxification and rehabilitation programmes for children coming off drugs. Volunteers may wish to educate themselves on HIV/AIDS and other health issues young people are faced with.

Your role as a volunteer:

Due to the nature of the projects, your time as a volunteer will be full and varied. Work with children will involve an element of teaching, which will usually be English, but also Maths, Health Education and any other areas you feel comfortable helping out with. For the older children, you can help out with developing vocational skills, such as craft work, sports and growing vegetables. You can also expect to assist with the day-to-day running of the projects, including cooking, preparing meals, cleaning and care work.

Cost in US$: USD 1425.00 for 1 week, USD 275.00 for every week thereafter

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 years old

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Kenya Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Year Founded: 1994