General Impression
Overall Rating: / 10
My time volunteering in Kenya has been amazing! I met so many people I'll never forget. I had a great time with both the volunteers and the locals but the ones who truly changed me were the children. It was the first time in my life that I was waking up at 6:30 in the morning with an enthusiasm that I cannot describe.Country
When I first got to Kenya I admit I was a little out of my comfort zone. But after just two weeks there, I had gotten used to the really tasty food, to the buses, to the living conditions, I had met so many locals and I already knew all the basic Kikuyu words. If one comes with an open mind, they will definitely love the country.
Project & Staff
Of course not all staff members can be perfect but most of them were there if you needed them and trying their best to help you in any way they could. The fact that they were living in the house really helped and made them accessible at all times.
Our placements were for the most part very nice, mostly because of the kids, but they could have been a little better. A lot of the times there were too many people in one placement and there wasn't something for all of us to do. When the kids were in school my placement could not have been nicer but when the holidays started we were all together in one school, doing childcare to few kids. I wish I had been informed about when the school period started and ended prior to arranging my volunteer work so that i could have come then.
Our outreaches were often fun but could have been organized a little better in order for them to have been a bit more meaningful. There are a lot of things that we could have helped with but I didn't always get the feeling that we really were helping.
Our placements were for the most part very nice, mostly because of the kids, but they could have been a little better. A lot of the times there were too many people in one placement and there wasn't something for all of us to do. When the kids were in school my placement could not have been nicer but when the holidays started we were all together in one school, doing childcare to few kids. I wish I had been informed about when the school period started and ended prior to arranging my volunteer work so that i could have come then.
Our outreaches were often fun but could have been organized a little better in order for them to have been a bit more meaningful. There are a lot of things that we could have helped with but I didn't always get the feeling that we really were helping.
Tips
If you come with an open mind there is no way you won't enjoy your time there. Be aware that a lot of people in Kenya will try to trick you into paying more and some might even attend to rob you so you may have to second-think things a bit more than you would at home and listen to the safety instructions given by the staff. Sometimes your placement will not be ideal but since you are already there, make the most out of it. What really helped me with stomach problems were renie tablets (this one is for Europeans) and finding some snacks that I was eating at home too which I ate whenever my stomach was not OK. If you are doing the educational program, check the school terms so that you can make sure the kids are attending school when you're there and not on holiday.