Why Volunteer

Volunteering abroad is becoming increasing popular, with new companies springing up all the time with fantastic sounding adventures. If you are looking for a holiday with a bit more depth, or a cheap way to travel, “volunteerism” can be a great way to go but there are limits to both the positive impact you can have and the sustainability of your work. Longer-term, more professional volunteering placements give you a chance to really understand the communities you help, and allows you to bring your skills and experience to help them build their futures in a sustainable manner.

Are you looking for a rewarding way to spend your time?

Does the summer stretch out before you? Or has a gap just opened up in your work schedule? If so, this could be the perfect opportunity to undertake an adventure, gain valuable experiences that will undoubtedly shaped your life, and give something back to people who need it most.

Are you open minded?

You may think you know exactly how things work, but volunteering abroad can turn things on their head and make you question things you thought you knew. Different cultures have different reference points and people may view things from a very different perspective. This is all part of the experience. Being open to this and prepared to respond to what you find rather than what you imagined is an absolute must for any potential volunteer. Adjusting your thinking to the situation in front of you is the key to a successful and sustainable volunteering experience.

Are you resourceful?

Heading off to another country to work can be a great experience but it is likely to be quite different to your home life. Don’t expect all the creature comforts you have at home and do expect to live a simpler, quieter life whilst you are there. You will also find that many of the things you take for granted at home may be difficult – limited water, intermittent electricity etc. And at work, you may find communication facilities and work environments less advanced than you are used to. All of these circumstances require you to be resourceful: creating your own entertainment, making new friends, thinking creatively to get things done and making do in less-than-ideal circumstances. Think you have what it takes? If you take on the challenge, you may discover a whole new set of abilities and robust character you never knew you had.

Volunteer Opportunities

VOLUNTEER TEACHING IN KENYA

Description:

Teach English, Mathematics, Science and other subjects at our primary schools in urban and rural areas of Kenya. No teaching certificate is required, but native English speakers are preferred.

Your voluntary contribution to teach English as a second language in Kenya or to teach other subjects, will be highly appreciated and fulfilling to yourself. We work with a number of schools where teaching volunteers will be placed..

Those volunteering for international teaching in Kenya are expected to have at least graduated from high school or be enrolled in a college. On completion of a mandatory overseas teaching orientation, the overseas volunteer teachers will be expected to work for between 4 to 5 hours a day.

The number of local teachers per school is normally small. In some schools the student to teacher ratios are so high, but sometimes in Kenya, thats the only chance the students have to learn and make something out of their lives.

The students range in age from 4 to 14 from pre-kindergarten to class 8. For the younger children, you can help them with conversational English, basic math, arts & crafts, board games, playground games, sports like soccer and running, music, and any other talents you wish to share. For the older students, you can teach more formal subjects like English, science, math, and history. The school schedule is Monday-Friday from 8am to 4pm with a two-hour sports period from 3-5pm where the students do things like cross-country running, soccer, and basketball.

All classes are taught in English in Kenya.

Available All the Year Round

VOLUNTEER WITH HIV/AIDS AWARENESS

Community Care and Support for People living with HIV/AIDS, a transitional Shelter for AIDS patients, acts as a bridge between health care institutions and patients’ families, to create awareness in the community.

Volunteer intervention is required and very welcomed at the institution to help care for the patients who have often been left out of the social circle due to their condition.

ou will foster AIDS awareness in the local community working within a local organization. You will educate the people on how AIDS gets transmitted and how it can be controlled. You will increase HIV/AIDS awareness among the Kenyan population and share your time with them for 20-30 hours a week.

Sample volunteer projects:

Everyday care for the patients and assisting nurses in the center

Helping the resident children with homework and providing them general care

Providing shelter for HIV/AIDS patients

* Counseling HIV-positive people and their families

* Treatment for HIV-positive patients

* Training programs for counselors

Volunteers in this project will work with local groups and will be responsible for a variety of tasks:

- Counseling activities

- Skill-sharing and training activities

- Rendering help in treatment (trained volunteers with a health care background only)

- Helping to prepare and present educational programs

- Any related help requested by local organizations.

Qualifications: No qualifications are required, there is no specific education, experience and skills needed to join the HIV/AIDS project. However, volunteers are expected to be flexible and patient as well as possess a passion and love for the poor and HIV-infected people.