St Francis Integrated School

  Kenya

• Nairobi: 
Nairobi

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: on going

Description: This is a school located 20km from Nairobi in the rich suburb of Karen. The school was founded by Mrs Kibathi while she was still a teacher at a public school called St Mary's when she realized that there were many pupils who could not raise school fees because they were orphaned or from a poor background. She initially started off with 20 children and was able to take care of all there basic needs until she become a prey to conmen who used the schools name to enrich them selves. So devastating was her experience that she got all of her personal property auctioned and was forced to change her location to the new site. Later she was to meet another 'well wisher' who promised to fund her but instead left her with 300 children to take care of. Currently the centre has 241 children living on a one acre piece of land with no adequate infrastructure. The children barely eat three meals a day and have improper sanitation.

Touch Africa International is looking for Volunteers who are able to help structure the centre and raise support for the home and also start a child sponsorship program. The volunteers will be working together with volunteers from Hands of Help from Australia and the Director of the Giraffe centre with the support of a host of international partners. The objective of this program is to offer these children adequate health care, education and shelter and to accord them love and a better life. We also invite those who might not be able to volunteer but can donate to contact us as soon as possible for more information on the project. This cente needs tremendous support and urgently since the Hands of Help volunteers will be returning to Australia leaving no one on the ground to coordinate the activities.

Volunteer activities
- General volunteering
- Preparation of medical charts and boards
- Public health
- Nutrition and meal preparation
- Routine clean ups and health checks
- Fund raising
- Any other activity/programme available during the volunteer placement

What kind of volunteer are we looking for;

- General volunteers
- Doctors
- Nurses
- Accountants/financial experts
- Community health workers
- Students including medical students
- Social workers
- Community development officers

Length of commitment: Minimum of two weeks and a maximum of 1 year before renewing the commitment.

Accommodation: It is our policy that all our volunteers stay with an African host family to learn more about day to day living of an average African home. We have trained selected host families with an experience of handling volunteers with all the care that they need. Some volunteers who come as a group are allowed to stay in the home; we have guest rooms that can be used by visitors. We receive volunteers at the airport and take them to an already booked hostel. We will have a big paper with your name/names on it e.g. John. They then rest for one day in the city. The following day we travel by day bus to the community. All this time you will be with a Touch Africa guide.

For young volunteers who are under the age of 18 need either a letter from parent or guardian to Touch Africa indicating that they have agreed for you to come to this program. This letter can either be mailed to us or you come with it yourself as you come to join our program. Or a letter from the patron of your school club (e.g. interact volunteering club, model UN, community service club, school travel club etc) who should be an adult to tell us that he /she have released you to come to join our program. Or A letter from your school; to tell us that they are happy you have chosen and agreed to come to volunteer and learn more about Africa.

You need to get a valid visa for your stay here.
Get vaccination/treatment against malaria.
Tell us the local date and time of your arrival.
Tell us the Flight Company and number.

Donations: We want to give everybody a chance including those who do not have a donation to give.

Volunteers can also write an email to us specifically requesting to be attached to this project.

Highlights:
* Visits to places of interests including the Nairobi national park
* Home stay program
* Proximity to entertainment centres like movie halls and leisure spots

Qualifications: teachers,health practioners,general volunteers

Cost in US$: US$480 two weeks+US$150 per every extra week

Experience Required: yes

none just a love for children

Typical Volunteer: Very flexible and willing to help in any way

Age Range: 18-35yrs

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 Independently or in Groups of 1-10

Application Process Involves:

• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Touch Africa International's Mission Statement: To empower orphans and vulnerable children with quality knowledge to enable them contribute positively towards our national development. To provide shelter , care and education to our children. Revolves around issues of poverty, particularly the lack of education, economic opportunity and environmental concerns. Our goal is to train people to be effective business entrepreneurs, community leaders and global citizens through organizing of community work camps, internships, volunteer programs, community development projects and educational tours which focus on Four key issues of our work foundation namely Reducing poverty; Increasing global cooperation; Sustainable development; equality & social justice; Environmental conservation and protection; we believe in giving everyone a chance to contribute to a better society by organizing affordable programs as listed above and we ensure that they are interactive ,enjoyable ,educative and most of all life changing in short meeting real people in the real world to bring a real change in peoples lives.

Year Founded: 2005