VOLUNTEER
PROGRAMS INFO
Want to volunteer with us? We offer projects for all skill sets and interests. Our volunteer program offers opportunities to work in schools, agriculture, HIV/AIDS work, community development and even orphanage work. Take a look at our various projects and find out which one fits you best. Volunteers are welcome to transfer to more than one project placement minimum 2 weeks at each placement.
Orphanage work is our most popular project and volunteer placement due to the vast amount of activities and opportunities that are open to volunteers when they take part in the daily tasks of the homes hosting children from 20 to 300 at a time. Poverty and illness creates a huge demand for children’s homes that are under funded and in dire need of volunteer support. Each orphanage you may be placed at caters to children at different ages but generally from 2 to 18. Volunteer tasks can include cooking, mentoring, teaching, washing, educational support, caring for the children, and entertaining and having fun with the kids. Volunteers need to be creative and self-motivated, they need to enjoy working with children and model proper behavior that the kids can benefit from.
HIV/AIDS is a major issue in Kenya, nevertheless, over the past few years development has been gained in regards to the disease. The volunteer work on the HIV/AIDS project involves working at one of our local homes that assists children and youth fighting the disease. Volunteers will work with staff helping these children with their daily tasks, medication administration, hygiene routines and HIV/AIDS awareness and education alongside a social worker placed at the home.While many of our children placed at this home are positive some are only affected not infected but have been victims of losing family to the disease, volunteers can mentor and shower these children with the much needed affection, playing games with every one and providing entertainment.
Volunteers on the Teaching project open the minds and broaden the views of students, volunteers will also be exposing students to the English language, which benefits them greatly in later studies. Volunteers who wish to take part in this project are placed in community schools and assist teachers with subjects in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Art and other courses being offered.The school year in Kenya is broken up into three terms and there are breaks between these terms for the months of April, August and December. If volunteers apply for the Teaching project during the school holidays, they will also be placed in an alternative project such as Orphanage Work or Community Development for the holiday school breaks.
For those volunteers interested in Sports Education when you enroll in the Teaching project you can also have the opportunity to take part in educating children or youth about sports knowledge during after school programs or during Physical Education classes. This is a great opportunity for both volunteers and the children to express their passion for sports. Volunteers must note that they should come prepared with some of their own lesson plans as well as bring some of their own materials.
This project is also offered in Mombasa.
For those volunteers interested in Sports Education when you enroll in the Teaching project you can also have the opportunity to take part in educating children or youth about sports knowledge during after school programs or during Physical Education classes. This is a great opportunity for both volunteers and the children to express their passion for sports. Volunteers must note that they should come prepared with some of their own lesson plans as well as bring some of their own materials.
This project is also offered in Mombasa.
The community development project offers a variety of different volunteering opportunities. This project requires volunteers that are open minded and flexible to try and learn new things within the local communities. Volunteers in this project work with the purpose to improve circumstances within these communities and the work requires initiative and motivation while working with a mix of different people. Volunteers will be taking part in various community projects such as street feeding, women education, slum projects, youth groups, elderly care, and community work such as painting buildings or classrooms.
Volunteers on this project may be participating in different activities and project locations on a daily basis.
Growing crops and rearing animals is a big practice in Kenya.
Most locals still take part in farming as a family business and derive their income from it. Volunteers that enjoy the hard work and labor are welcome to join the lifestyle. Our Agriculture and Farming project allows volunteers to take part in planting, harvesting and being part of donating food products to local orphanages or people in need.They can also contribute to improving methods of farming by sharing modern agro economical practices that would benefit the orphanages and communities that we work with.
Be Part of Our Team, Come Volunteer with Us!
Would you like to join our team? We are always looking forward to meeting new people and welcoming them into our volunteering family. Our program offers a hands-on, meaningful way for you to get involved and directly help the kids in our children’s homes and other community projects. Most importantly you will be helping by adding positivity and fun into their difficult daily lives.
When volunteering with us we organize accommodation, ground transport, volunteering placement and other activities. We offer exciting short-term and long-term volunteer opportunities. Our volunteer placements are open to people of all ages and qualifications.We offer various volunteer opportunities and home stay options near to all our community projects throughout the year.
For volunteers interested in doing some traveling we have designed low-cost volunteer/student tour packages. For more information on our volunteer/student tours please contact us at volunteer@homeforthechildren.org
If you would like to apply to become a part of our volunteer program, please fill out our volunteer application form and submit it online.
We are happy to discuss any questions you may have before you submit your application at volunteer@homeforthechildren.org
When volunteering with us we organize accommodation, ground transport, volunteering placement and other activities. We offer exciting short-term and long-term volunteer opportunities. Our volunteer placements are open to people of all ages and qualifications.We offer various volunteer opportunities and home stay options near to all our community projects throughout the year.
For volunteers interested in doing some traveling we have designed low-cost volunteer/student tour packages. For more information on our volunteer/student tours please contact us at volunteer@homeforthechildren.org
If you would like to apply to become a part of our volunteer program, please fill out our volunteer application form and submit it online.
We are happy to discuss any questions you may have before you submit your application at volunteer@homeforthechildren.org
Frequently asked Questions (FAQ’s)
What will I be doing?
Volunteers are an important part of our work, and we appreciate those who give their time and talent to our mission. We also welcome groups interested in volunteer opportunities. There is usually a shortage of supervision throughout our project placements, so it can be very difficult for staff to attend to all of the children. Therefore, they focus primarily on the most essential needs. As a volunteer your primary job is to provide academic and emotional support to the children and youth, assisting with daily chores, meal preparations, cleaning, laundry etc. Many volunteers also enjoy developing activities in which the children can participate. The young children who do not yet attend school are especially enthusiastic about acquiring English vocabulary, so that they may learn how to speak to volunteers. Volunteers may develop games based on English vocabulary, or other recreational activities that the children can learn and enjoy. Volunteers are also welcomed to help and learn how to take part in local practices such as farming, cooking local dishes, and participating in activates found at our various projects.
What will my schedule be like?
We believe that volunteers should have a well-balanced work and leisure schedule. This means you will only be required to work 5 days per week (Monday to Friday) for a maximum of 6 hours per day. If you wish to be flexible with your working hours and days your also welcome to speak to your host family or project supervisor. For the remaining time, you will be free to enjoy the vacationing aspects of your trip. You can visit the local markets and nearby mall centers or simply do your laundry.
Challenges?
The staff at your volunteer placement/project will do their best to inform you on what’s going on and what is expected of you; however there will be times when you have to use your own initiative to organize activities and locate resources or information. Things may be organized differently from back home and things might not always make sense. You should be open-minded, patient, and willing to accept new things. You will need to be able to work well within a team and be adaptable to working and living in a group.
What can I do in my free time?
We ask for responsible volunteers who will take their commitment seriously, but at the same time we anticipate and encourage your desire for travel and adventure. Your time away from volunteering is open for you to decide your activities. You may decide to take advantage of the local culture and spend time within the community over the weekend. Otherwise, there is plenty opportunity to explore Kenya and all it has to offer. Kenya is incredibly beautiful and has full of fun activities in which you can take part. It also conveniently has beautiful beaches and other tourist friendly areas.
Quick facts about Volunteering with us
- Age Limit: 18 and over; under 18 if accompanied by a guardian
- Volunteer transportation: Airport pick-up on arrival and drop off on departure
- Airport Arrival Time: preferably before 10pm
- Accommodation & Meals: simple, clean and neat bedrooms, three Kenyan meals provided per day
- Transport to Project: projects within walking distance, else bus fare will not exceed 1 USD per day
- Schedule: Mondays to Fridays. 6 hours daily