CARE FOR KIDS IN AN ORPHANAGE IN MOMBASA

. .
KENYA
In Kenya, many children and young adults have become orphans after losing
their parents and families to HIV/AIDS and Malaria. On this Care project, you'll
work with some of Kenya's poorest and most disadvantaged children, providing
them with care and support, as well as informal education and any other
assistance that is needed. This is a very worthwhile project that is aimed at
helping those who need it the most.

‘Thank you for your help I had an AMAZING life changing time and looking forward to going
back at end of this year again once I’ve saved up!’ Laura Parsons

►SUMMARY FACTFILE
Start Dates All year round - you choose your start and finish dates!
Duration Minimum stay 2 weeks and up to 1 year, subject to visa requirements
Requirements No qualifications needed, just a big dose of enthusiasm!
Price From £675 / US$1015 for 2 weeks, ranging to £1,695 / US$2545 for 12
weeks. Full Price List and other Currencies
What's included ►Accommodation ►Food ►Meeting you at the Airport ►Transfer to your
accommodation ►Transport to and from you project every day ►Full pre-
departure support ►Local in-country team support and backup ►24-hr
emergency support ►Two free T-shirts.
What's not included Flights, Insurance, Cost of Visas (if a visa is required, but we'll provide
necessary documents and assistance), Return transfer to airport.
Who can do this All our projects are open to all nationalities.
Project? Unless otherwise stated, you need to be aged between 17 and 70+

Also on this page:

• Accommodation
• About Mombasa
• Travel and Support

"You go there expecting to help them and change their life, but what I discovered is that they
 had changed my life more than I could ever explain!!" Desiree Ochs

PROJECT OVERVIEW
There are many, many children living in Kenya that have been orphaned by the HIV/AIDS virus
and by Malaria. These children are often left without surviving relatives that can look after them
and with no means to look after themselves. We work with a number of different orphanages
with young children through to 18 year olds. You may help with all ages. If you prefer a specific
age group, we will try and arrange that for you.

The main objective of these projects is to improve the lives of street children in any
way possible. Your work helps the carers with the day to day running of the
homes/centres, as well as assisting with some basic care of the children. The other
important aspect of the placement is to give attention to many of the children who have
come from very traumatic backgrounds by interacting with them in an informal setting.
Anyone with any medical knowledge would also be greatly appreciated at the Centres'
dispensaries.

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:

• An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into Africa and the many diverse cultures
in Kenya.
• The enormous satisfaction of helping disadvantaged children and knowing that you
made a difference to them.
• New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable
personal and professional development.
• An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head and shoulders above most "My trip to Kenya was an unbelievable
others in the job market experience, and definitely does not compare to
• And best of all ... an unforgettable experience! anything else I have ever done. Easily the best
6 weeks of my life, without a doubt. Thank you
Travellers, for giving me that opportunity"|
Alexander Hunter
"A lot of the volunteer work at our orphanage and other places is being done by gap year
students – the most fantastic bunch of people who deserve so much praise for what they’re ‘I love it here. the work at the placement is very
doing." Steve and Jennifer Chilingirian good and I enjoy it a lot. The area is very nice
and the accommodation is more than I
WORK CONTENT: expected. I was made to feel very much at
Generally the type of work you will be allocated will depend to an extent on your own home here and have been welcomed very well
abilities and capabilities, which is understandable given that you will be dealing with by Njeri and her family. I have found her to be
very supportive and understanding. I would
children’s health and safety. You will normally sit down with the supervisor when you recommend this placement to future
arrive to set up an informal timetable for your placement. The hours may vary, but volunteers and I would recommend staying
normally you will work from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., from Monday to Friday with the with Njeri as she has been a very good host
option of working weekends. You may also prefer to work mornings or afternoons and friend.’ Jennifer Brown
only, which can be catered for.

It is difficult to be specific about your day-to-day, but you will get a good general feel Internships in Kenya, Teach Kids in
of the orphanage by working and/or observing. The level of education of the children is Kenya, Gap Kenya, Medical Work Kenya,
generally very poor so you should have discussions with your supervisor to ascertain Coach Swimming in Kenya,
the best use of your time and skills with the different groups of children. But the most Orphanage Care Mombasa,
important thing you can do is to give the children lots of love, care and attention. Teaching in Kenya, Swahili Language
Course, Study Abroad in Kenya, Work
You'll be given help and direction from the staff, but your workload will depend on you and
what you put into it. Your work as a volunteer may include: in Kenya, Work With Children Kenya

• Preparing food for the children and helping them eat.

• General cleaning, washing dishes, etc.
• Helping the permanent staff care for the children.
• Bathing the children and washing their clothes
• Organizing and facilitating games and plays for the children.
• Playing with the children - here you can use your imagination and involve them in lots
of different activities
• Helping some of the children with their homework.
• Getting involved in drawing and painting or even music if you have skills in that area.
• Working with the younger children/babies – helping to change them, feed and bath
them.
• If you are interested and feel you have the ability, you may also be asked to help with
arranging fundraising for the institute.

What will the local community gain from your assistance?

• As a result of your volunteer work, the orphanage, the workers and the society at large
 will benefit directly or indirectly by having the opportunity to interact with you and all
our volunteers, thus learning about foreign cultures and the wider world
• They will have access to a free workforce and invaluable service which you provide
them as a volunteer.
• Their traditional knowledge and skills in care work are supplemented with initiatives,
skills and ideas which they will get from you and all our volunteers. Fresh eyes and a
different way of doing things can be of tremendous benefit to them.
• Lots of love and care which is fundamental for the growth and development of the
children.

"My family were fantastic and went beyond their duties to make me welcome. Njeri [Travellers'
Mombasa Organiser] was always helpful should I need anything." Caroline Chadwick, on her
accommodation in Mombasa.

The Bridge The Gap Foundation (Travellers Charity arm) is starting a campaign to raise funds
to buy clothes, food and medicines for the children in this very poor Orphanage. If you’d like to
donate, no matter how little, please go here.
ACCOMMODATION AND LIVING IN MOMBASA
Your accommodation will vary, but you will most likely live with a local family. This
will give you the opportunity to experience the true African experience from the inside
and not just as a "tourist" on the surface of the country.

We will try to accommodate you as close to your project as we can, so you are able to
work to work, but this may not b possible in which case you will have to use local
transport, called Matatus.

Mombasa is the second most important city in Kenya (after Nairobi) It is the main port
for Kenya and the surrounding countries, as well as being the oldest town. The pace of
life is relaxed and people of Mombasa enjoy themselves (particularly on Friday and
Saturday nights!). A spectacular coral reef runs for 480 km along the palm-fringed
coastline. The waters below are filled with marine life, while up above a huge diversity
of birdlife occupies the mangrove forests or overhanging cliffs.

The beaches of Kenya have become one of the world's great playgrounds, with plenty
of opportunities for water sports or simply sunbathing. More than half of the country's
international hotels are based along the Coast. The sun shines all year round and the
diversity of activities is unequalled.

Another factor that makes Mombasa a wonderful place to visit is the exciting nightlife.
There are many nightclubs situated along the North and South Coasts of the town, all
of which have different themes that cater to different crowds. Many hotels also have
their own entertainment events. In the heart of the town is where most hospitals,
businesses, banks, shops and markets are situated. Being a small town (about half a
million population), Mombasa does not have a subway system. However one can
easily get around using the local bus service; or for a “truly Kenyan experience” a ride
in a “Matatu”- which is quite a unique adventure.

"I learnt about the country and the people who live there. I think more so than a lot of
other volunteers because I was on my own and therefore tended to mix with the locals
rather than other volunteers. Living with a family also encouraged this."
A LITTLE ABOUT MOMBASA
Mombasa is the second most important city in Kenya (after Nairobi). It is the main port for Kenya
and the surrounding countries, as well as being the oldest town. The pace of life is relaxed and
people of Mombasa enjoy themselves (particularly on Friday and Saturday nights!).

A spectacular coral reef run for 480 km along the palm-fringed coastline. The waters below are
filled with marine life, while up above a huge diversity of birdlife occupies the mangrove forests or
overhanging cliffs.

The beaches of Kenya have become one of the world's great playgrounds, with plenty of
opportunities for water sports or simply sunbathing. More than half of the country's international
hotels are based along the Coast. The sun shines all year round and the diversity of activities is
unequalled.

Another factor that makes Mombasa a wonderful place to visit is the exciting nightlife. There are
many nightclubs situated along the North and South Coasts of the town, all of which have different
themes that cater to different crowds. Many hotels also have their own entertainment events
Photos of Mombasa
Most hospitals, businesses, banks, shops and markets are situated in the heart of the town. Being
a small town (about half a million population), Mombasa does not have a subway system.
However, one can easily get around using the local bus service; or for a “truly Kenyan experience”
a ride in a “Matatu”- which is quite a unique adventure.
TRAVEL:
You'll fly into Mombasa where you'll be met by our local Manager Njery Wathika or a member of
her staff. She will take you into Mombasa and get you settled into your accommodation. You will
then receive an induction into the country, and be taken to your placement and introduced to
everyone.

You have the option to arrange your own flights or we can assist you with your flight arrangements.
If you would like us to do this for you, we will liaise with you regarding available flights and dates to
suit you. All arrangements for your flight bookings/payments will be fulfilled by Murray Rogers
Travel Limited, ATOL No. 6856. Where possible, we arrange for two or more people to travel on
the same flight and we will let you have the names and telephone numbers of other volunteers on
your flight, so that you can chat to each other or even meet up before leaving for your placement.

VISAS:. You do need a visa for Kenya, this can be purchased before you arrive on upon arrival
into the country. In countries where visas or immigration documents are required, we'll send you all
the necessary forms and information and make the process very easy for you.

Where possible, all flights we arrange for you have changeable return tickets because many of
our volunteers choose to extend their stay once they are in their destination country. Changeable
return tickets enable you to do so, within the limits of your visa and the level of your air ticket, of
course. If you choose to book your own flights, you should endeavour to get a changeable ticket.

To read about the excellent Support & Backup we provide before you leave and during your
programme, please click here.

We can also arrange your flight dates to give you additional time at the end of your project
for travelling around and sightseeing - this is a fascinating and wondrous country!
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