Run down and unsupported primary school in Central Kenya seeks volunteer teachers, assistants and groups.

  Kenya

Nairobi

Term: Academic Year 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: All year

Description: The school is located on the central part of Kenya on the highlands of Mt Kenya. It is about 160km from Nairobi which is about 2hours drive. The area is lush and green with very beautiful scenic views.

The school is public which means it is partly funded by the government and the community. The parents and the community are a part of developing the school, and in the case of this school there is a lot of poverty so they are barely making ends meet.

The school has a population of 456 children with only 12 teachers to support these children. The classes are from standard 1 to standard 8, which is per the Kenyan education system. Due to lack of teachers the classes are big and have up to 80 children in a class. This has made it very difficult to teach the kids thus the performance of the school is not of high standards. Each grade therefore has one class each, with class 7 and 8 having two each.

The school also has a small support staff which works with the teachers. It also boosts a small staff room and an office for administration purposes. They also have a head teacher who is the main administrator of the school, so volunteer teachers in Kenya are most welcome at anytime.

Despite the destitution, the school stands in the middle of an all year round green and beautiful part of the country. Other than being home to Africa's second highest peak (Mt. Kenya) it is also the epicenter of Kenya's ecology and history revolving round fight for independence from the British colonial rule.

The province's weather ranges from warm sunny days to chilly and misty ones.

Highlights: The school is situated 45 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: Anyone wishing to work in such an environment, keen on children and wiling to work in classes doing a range of activities you think can benefit these children. Volunteers who take lap tops with educational software can run their own classes, those good at sports can teach P.E. If you can help in anyway the school will be most welcome. So if your keen to just help out and interact in such a place you need not be a qualified teacher to take this on. The children are warm and receptive and don't ever see westerners. So expect one hell of a welcome!

Cost in US$: See website for latest offers

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18+

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

Participants Travel to Kenya Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• 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