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Who Volunteers?

voulunteer home page
Page Contents

Age Range
Volunteer Programmes
   education
  
health care
  
environmental
  
local churches
The Projects
How long a placement?
Short stays

Who volunteers?

 

Our volunteers are enthusiastic, hard-working, self-motivated people who are able to work under their own initiative. They will not replace local Kenyans and take away their jobs. Rather they assist them with the various projects Aid2Africa is involved in. Volunteers are also realistic. They know they won’t change Africa, but know they will build on earlier work and success to make a difference to the lives of some of the local people.

Age Range   

Our volunteers are usually aged 21 years upwards, and are typically between 23 and 35 years old. While are able to consider applications from applicants under 21 years old, we may need to look carefully at the application before accepting it. There is no upper age limit. As a volunteer abroad, you will be part of the team, and it's important for you all to work as part of the team. It may be that you could make friendships during your stay that will last a life time. You could even enjoy your time in Kenya so much that you return, even if only for a short visit.

The volunteer programmesduring 2011 we intend to take a group out to Moi's Bridge email for details (Peter December 2009)

We always try to provide some degree of flexibility.  Initially we will assign you to a project to get you up and running. This initial period will give you chance to get a feel for the community you are living and working in. If your stay is short then this may well be the main part of your contribution to he community. If you are staying for longer than just a few weeks then you can look at what the needs of the community are beyond just our structured projects. Wherever possible we try to be as flexible as possible but the long-term needs of the community must take priority.  For example, the local church has many projects running which are not directly funded by Aid2Africa but that would not exclude your participation in them. Within A2A's projects we try to tailor it to match your strengths as well as the local community's needs.

In general, because the local community has so many needs, we find it is better if long term volunteers find their ‘niche’ once they have had time to talk to the other volunteers, the Co-ordinators, and our project managers. To have a good look at the area, the secondary and primary schools, the nursery schools, the health centre, etc. However you must be prepared to be patient settling in as the pace of life in Kenya, as has been already mentioned, is much slower than you will be used to.

We expect the vast majority of volunteers have the time of their lives, but a few may find it difficult to become fully involved. You will get the most out of the programme by being enthusiastic, resourceful and imaginative – and it’s important to remember that you will get out of it what you put in.





The Projects   

All of our projects tend to be focused on finding sustainable solutions solve a wide variety of problems faced by the local community. While we fully understand our volunteers’ desire to ‘make their mark’ during their stay, it is important to remember that, once they have returned home, the people and the projects need to be sustainable. We take advice from people who have many years experience in this field before getting involved with any project. All too often, in Africa, we have seen Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) bring money and Western expertise to a project, only for the project to fail once the NGO has left because the local people have neither been given the training nor the money to keep it going.
Education for children who would otherwise not receive it or who would benefit from extending their educational experience is one of our key areas of work. Education equips the child for the rest of their life.
There is usually some renovation, repair or other building work that you can get involved in. Volunteers work alongside local people and do not replace them. We will pay the local builders the rate for the job and that will generally include any work done by volunteers.


Working in schools

The Waymarks Centre is a recognised school with an established staff. There is scope for volunteers to work with the children in a range of capacities from teaching to in class support and small group work.
TERM DATES: 2009 (2010 dates to be added)

1ST TERM – FROM MON 5TH JAN – FRI 3RD APRIL

2ND TERM – FROM MON 4TH MAY – FRI 7TH AUGUST

3RD TERM – FROM MON 7TH SEPT – FRI 27TH NOV

 inclusive.

N/B: During holiday months, holiday tuition is organized for at least 2-3 weeks at the school. So even when schools are on holiday, there is still lots for a volunteer to do with the children.

We have links to other schools in Moi's bridge where volunteer support would be greatly appreciated.

Working in Health Care
there are clinics and hospitals where trained health care workers would find a warm welcome and lots to do. If you want more information about this area of volunteering please contact us and we will send you information relating to your particular interest or the town/area's general needs.

the local clinic is part way through building a new section that will provide for overnight care. This is being built next to the maternity unit. there are several clinics in Moi's Bridge

Working with local churches
we have links with a number of churches in Moi's Bridge that have various outreach programmes both in the town and in other parts of western Kenya. We can supply information relating to these projects on request. They typically range from the evangelistic work of the church to practical support within various communities.
Environmental Projects
we are currently investigating the potential for a number of environmental projects. We are keen to establish sustainable projects that will safeguard the centre long term. Among the projects we are looking at are fruit tree planting and fish farming. The offsetting of carbon footprints is something we want to engage with.


How long would your placement last?

   

We would prefer our volunteers to make a commitment of at least three months, although shorter stays can be arranged (see below)

Short stays   

 Realistically, you will not be able to achieve a tremendous amount during a short stay, but you will be able to get involved with some projects. Your stay will also give you the benefit of experiencing life in a rural area of Kenya.