Almano Special School for Mentally Handicapped

  Kenya

Rural

Description: Located in central Kenya, it's in a beautiful location only 3 hours drive from Nairobi. Lush tropical valleys, tea and coffee plantations, waterfalls and rivers make this an idyllic (and always overlooked) location to volunteer. This institute was started by an Italian priest called Padre Antonio Ceianellic after he saw a need in the community for a school for the mentally challenged. The community was lacking such an institution and the ones available were not effective as they were far off. The school houses 51 children with all kinds of mental handicapped from cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, epilepsy to dyslexia. Disability being a severe ammonic state in a person attributed to mental and physical impairment or in most cases a combination of both, as a result the institution's main priority is to teach these children basic activities to lead their lives as normal as possible and physic-therapy to strengthen their limbs as some are very weak.

Highlights: The school is situated 30 minutes away from Nyeri town, where it is possible to find all things modern - from Internet to pubs and five star safari clubs. This part of the country has a beautiful topography that is well covered by tall and green trees that gives a perfect setting for bird watching, or evening walks. For the adventurous, Mt Kenya is only an hour away, thus an attempt to climb to any of its three peaks would be a fulfilling move. Besides that, most of us would visit Meru reserve that is famous for Joy and George Adamson's hand rearing and releasing of animals. The famous lioness 'Elsa', whom most of us know from the film 'Born Free.' The area is rain forested so game spotting is hard and an easier alternative is Aberdare a few hours away, or Samburu where you are likely to spot the elusive Leopard.

Qualifications: Volunteers with skills or backgrounds handling such children of these types of needs. Regular teachers or trainee teachers are also welcome to participate in class. Other volunteers who are willing to help in the other domestic side of this school are also welcome. If you feel you have any skills or experience that would be relevant we would most like to here from you.

Cost in US$: Please visit our website for cost.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel to Kenya Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups of 2-4

Application Process Involves:

• Resume

Inspire Kenya's Mission Statement: To send groups of people to Kenya to contribute to the people and culture in a productive and meaningful way.

Year Founded: 2006