Help Children in Kenya with the International Humanity Foundation

  Kenya

Nakuru

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months, 7-12 months, 1-2 years and over 2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks

Description: The International Humanity Foundation is looking for volunteers, especially those in teaching and medical fields, for our center in Nakuru, Kenya.

Medicine and first aid is one of IHF's priorities in Kenya. Many of the children, especially those new to the centre, are easily prone to illness and disease due to their previously poor living conditions. A small scratch or stomach bug can prove very serious in view of the abundance of typhoid, amoebiasis, malaria and other diseases in the region.

IHF's medical programme in its Nakuru Centre is at its beginning stages and currently composes of a small cabinet that provides basic first aid needs to the children. The employment of a full-time, in-house nurse last year has meant that the medicines are well managed and administered by a professional.

IHF hopes that the programme can build on these small beginnings to provide a much larger range of medicines and services. The vision consists of a small and free (or low-cost) medical clinic that can be open to the public. To achieve this IHF is looking at the possibility of cool storage for vaccines, abundance of vitamins, worm-treatment drugs and others. Success of the programme would bring medical help to the children of IHF as well as the vulnerable people in the surrounding community.

We need your support to get this project off the ground. We require funds for construction works to move the clinic into a more appropriate building. We are also looking to urgently expand the range of drugs available, including tetanus shots, antibiotics as well as medical equipment.

Highlights: IHF likes to look after its volunteers, utilizing skills people have to offer and developing new skills which you can put on your resume. Teaching English to the kids is an amazing experience and you will learn skills for future work. Work with IHF is not only fulfilling but fun too!

In Kenya, IHF runs the following programs which one can be involved in:

Orphanage - Almost 90 children live there and all need love and care.
Education Program - We run free English, math and leadership classes for the whole community.
Medical Clinic - We have a small medical clinic to help nurse many of our new children back to health. It is also open to the community.
Famine Feed - Every month we take staple foods out to tribal desert areas.
Survival Program - We buy chickens, goats and camels for the poorest families in the area.

You will also be asked to participate in IHF admin tasks as we are a volunteer-run organization and depend on your help!

Qualifications:
- English speaker
- Mature and responsible
- Team player
- Fast learner with a great attitude
- Flexible
- Interested in global change through education and service
- Comfort in new, different cultures
- FUN!

Most importantly, an open heart and a willingness to help others and make a difference!

Cost in US$: USD 50 per week

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: A typical volunteer has a passion to be immersed in different cultures. S/He typically ends up working in an orphanage or school assisting with teaching English and working with the children. Special projects constantly arise where physical help is needed. For example, moving food during famine feeds and monitoring children during breaks. The volunteer has a lot of say in what s/he does as long as it is approved by the director and follows the mission of IHF.

Age Range: 18 and older

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Kenya Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

International Humanity Foundation's Mission Statement: Through its poverty and education programs IHF creates person-to-person communication links between the voiceless, at-risk populations and the ordinary everyday people of all walks of life. This facilitates the exchange of more accurate information on global poverty thereby educating each other and creating a world that is better prepared for effective problem solving. The creation of these long lasting relationships is a learning experience for the poor and marginalized children as well as for the educated volunteers that participate in our programs. IHF policies and programs are firmly routed in a pass it on philosophy. This philosophy is a part of all our programs, and is embedded in the belief that all knowledge ever learned is gained through communication with others, thereby it is a responsibility for our children, staff, volunteers and sponsors to exchange this knowledge to reduce global misinformation and develop informed leaders for tomorrow.

Year Founded: 1983