Volunteer

Description

Use your career break to share and learn in this wonderful project. Working in a primary school, based in the heart of one of Kenya’s poorest communities, the local team works hard to provide support, education, fun and encouragement for children of the slums. Volunteer in Africa with a team dedicated to uniting and sharing in joy and hope with young lives.

Kibera is the largest urban slum in Africa with what some estimate to be more than 1 million inhabitants. HIV/AIDS is a major problem amongst both adults and children, and as a direct result of the poor living conditions - open sewers and infected water - many other illnesses such as cholera, typhoid and malaria are commonplace. Desperation drives people to prostitution, alcohol/drug abuse, violence, crime or simply to abandon their family. It is a place of immense need, and yet with the help of projects like this, it is also a place of hope.

As part of the desire to address the issues which the children of Kibera faced on a daily basis, a group of local adults came together with the united focus of helping orphans and vulnerable children achieve their full potential, both educationally and physically. This came as a result of the ever increasing number of children dropping out of schools as a result of lack of funding for school fees, lack of food, and also the devastating spread of HIV/AIDS that has increased the number of children without one or both parents.

This project works to try and reduce the number of children dropping out of school by providing a range of practical support structures including: Education support; Child counseling services and Social support to improve quality of life of the child. Healthy, educated children offer hope and a brighter future to the population of Kibera and this can only happen if sufficient support is given to families with severe difficulties. Could you help support this project as they bring change to young lives?

During 2008 a study was conducted in the Kibera slum, focusing specifically on the children - their education and general development. The study indicated that most children living in Kibera slum were either total orphans or 'half orphans' (with one parent), and were children living in extreme poverty thus vulnerable to being abandoned as parents seek to find work etc.   The Study  highlighted the need to directly address these issues, and thus as a result this amazing project based in the heart of Kibera was born.

Project Vision:

The main focus of the project is to help vulnerable children in poor living conditions access quality education and provide basic needs such as food, shelter and clothing as well as helping those affected and infected by HIV/AIDS.

Project Mission

To offer education, basic needs, support, love and hope, to improve the quality of life for the less fortunate children around the slum.

Project Objectives

The centre seeks to provide support for orphans and vulnerable children, and aims to advocate for children's rights and reduce mortality among the children of Kibera through the following specific objectives:

> To improve the education standards of orphans and Vulnerable Children in Kibera .
> To improve the quality of  life of orphaned and vulnerable children  through the provision of  quality education and  basic needs (food, shelter & clothing).
> To advocate and protect the rights of children through community empowerment and support those affected by HIV/AIDS.
> To help children in Kibera achieve their goals, realize their potential talents and achieve their dreams through provision of basic needs.
> To provide a feeding programme in the main centre whereby children are provided with a nutritious breakfast and lunch.
> Provision of social work and home based care whereby staff visit the families of the children and provide pastoral support and practical advice.
> The involvement of young people and the elderly in the community work,  creating a family style environment where people of all ages help with all practical aspects of the project's work. These local volunteers help in running sports activities, music, cooking, washing the compound and rooms etc.They also help in team building activities.
> Child mentorship programme to help encourage those children in greatest need.

Cost Breakdown:

You receive: Airport Collection / drop off, Accommodation, Food ( 3 meals per day), 24/7 support, Training & more. 

1 week €440
2 weeks €520
1 month €1040
6 weeks €1390
2 months €1690

Is training provided?: Yes

Please note that Garda Vetting is required for this position.

Tasks that the volunteer(s) will be expected to undertake:

The role you take within this project depends largely  on your area of skill. There are a variety of needs which you could assist the staff with, including:

TEACHERS:

Teachers are needed  for the pre-school and primary school children.

One of the reasons education is so expensive and therefore out of the reach of many families in Kibera, is that the schools have to pay teacher's salaries. We are not promoting job substitution in this project, but looking to find ways to keep the cost of running this school to a minimum, and thus achieving on of the key goals of this project in providing education to the poorest of families. We are seeking people who are willing to bring new ideas, enthusiasm and creativity to the school, working alongside and under the direction of the Kenyan teaching staff.

As a teacher in the primary  classes you will lead different subject lessons such as Maths, English, basic Science, Art etc alongside the main teachers, following their curriculum.  You will also help to lead games / sports and physical education lessons, and assist in the break-time activities.

In the pre-school you will help  the children as they learn basic reading and writing skills, assist them with their basic daily tasks, provide activities for them - games and art etc.

SOCIAL WORKERS:

If your focus is more social work based then you can help the staff greatly  in visiting the families of the children. During these visits you will discuss & record the details of the children's background and highlight any problems which they may be facing. You will help to work alongside the children who are facing particularly difficult situations, providing support - practically and emotionally, encouraging them and providing them with a listening ear. You will also help to interact with the children's families where appropriate. Many of the families you would be working with in this role will be directly or indirectly affected by HIV AIDS, some will be involved in prostitution, for others there will be issues with alcohol / drug addiction, and various mental health issues. You will need to have a good understanding of these issues, and have the capacity to focus on the resources available in context of your surroundings in order to best help these families.

All the roles in this project are key to encouraging the positive growth of the work in this area. Your effort and commitment will go a long way to enabling this project achieve it's aims to provide hope, encouragement and a future for the children of Kibera.

Skills required for this role:

Open heart and flexible approach to life as it happens! 

Details of time commitment needed for role:
2 week minimum stay, available most of the year.

Minimum time commitment per week:
10+ hour p/week

Additional screening required for this role:
Interview and two references