Connecting you to free and low fee Volunteer Abroad Opportunities

Help a child in Nairobi’s slums learn to read

February 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Hi,

This is Jay, from Volunteer4Free Kenya. We are seeking volunteers to help teach English to primary school pupils in Nairobi’s Soweto slums, as well as visit, teach, and play games with children at Nairobi’s main public hospital (Kenyatta National Hospital). Our program is supervised by coordinators with several years of experience in hosting international volunteers in Africa, and we offer both short and long-term volunteer placements (e.g. three weeks to six months).

Volunteers with our program will have the opportunity to teach English in both small group and whole class settings with our slum school reading program. Additionally, they will be responsible for organizing games in the children’s wards at Kenyatta National Hospital, helping to organize the children for teaching sessions; and also assigned specific patients to visit.

A basic background in English is required for participation. Also, we do request a background check (e.g. CRB, or “good conduct certificate”) for screening due to the nature of our work, i.e. with children. But beyond that, not much else is required in the way of qualifications.

Our program also offers budget accommodation (roughly $30 a week) to volunteers, and is a great way to travel Africa and make an impact in the process.

If you are interested in volunteering in Kenya for free, please write to the following email address now to apply: volunteer4freekenya@gmail.com. You can also check us out on the web at the following website: http://volunteer4freekenya.kbo.co.ke/home.

Thanks for caring enough to volunteer.

If your looking for travel insurance, check out kanetix.ca. Their site provides tips to get cheap travel insurance.

Filed Under: Children, Kenya Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Kenya Youth Volunteering (LOCAL FEE)

July 16, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Teaching Program

 

Other volunteer work available includes teaching at both primary and secondary schools. All children at the schools come from local villages {communities}.
Subjects taught include English, Mathematics, Science, Christian Religious Education, Arts & Crafts, Music and Social Studies. Volunteers are also encouraged to use their initiative to come up with extra-curricular activities, sports and other learning activities.
Women Empowerment &Elimination of FMG
Volunteers work in a rescue centre which accommodates  women and girls rescued from forced marriages and those rescued from forced Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) practices within the communities that practice among the  Maasai,Turkana,Samburu to mention but a few.
Volunteers teach girls the importance of being a woman in a society where they are highly undervalued. Women and girls are also taught hygiene, nutrition, small business skills etc.
The women at the rescue centers are smart and passionate. They are ready to educate their children, nurture their families and change their communities by engaging in small business projects, getting educated etc. Their passion and dedication will impress you. You will also be encouraged by their stories. Eg help in enhancing the status of some tribes like Masai people and the Masai tribe in society.
Volunteer in Orphanage Abroad
A large number of poor and disadvantaged children without homes are given refuge in orphanages and shelter homes being run by various non governmental organizations.
Volunteer in Orphanage Abroad
Request for more information.
Program description
A large number of poor and disadvantaged children without homes are given refuge in orphanages and shelter homes being run by various non government organizations throughout the world.
These are distressed children who come from difficult circumstances that detach them from the joys of childhood. These orphans require love, care, affection warmth and education. Volunteers working in our ‘Help The Orphans’ program Kenya, Uganda ,Ruanda,Burudi Ethiopia ,Congo, Sudan and Malawi among other African countries  will provide support to the underprivileged and uncared for children to alleviate their suffering by helping them live a dignified life . We do this by supporting the work of local community organization in Kenya through the placement of international volunteers.
Orphans are deprived of many opportunities necessary for their development. Volunteers can help them fill this void in their lives by assisting the staff in the orphanage in organizing educational tours ,playing indoor and outdoor games ,teaching them English ,giving them basic computer knowledge and educate the young kids in a play way method. Volunteers can give tips to the kids about personal hygiene and help them in keeping their premises spic and span. They also help the children with their homework and prepare them for school.
Your little help can be of great significance for these children, helping to make their present secure and future promising. Spend time with them. Receive their warmth and affection. Tell them stories. Share their dreams. Working in an orphanage is a truly fulfilling and enriching experiences.http://www.kvcdp.org/children.php
General program information
Program open to: Everyone
Age range: 16-60
Travel to site: Independent Travel
Is opportunity more independent or group orientated: Varies
No. in group: 3-4
Living arrangements on the program: Apartment, Group living, Home stays (living with local families)
How long does the program last?: Various Durations
What are the dates of this program: The program runs throughout the year and volunteers can choose to start on any date.
Benefits and advantages of the program:
An enriching experience for any traveler. Help and explore the country at the same time.
End of Program.
Homeward bond
After completion of your volunteer program we hold a debriefing session with other international, local volunteers and staff Here, participants say their good-byes, express their gratitude to other volunteers and staff,  share Experiences and come up with suggestions for improvements before being escorted back to their Hostels/Hotels /Homes awaiting flights or departures.

http://www.yhak.org/volunteers

Filed Under: Africa, Children, Community Development, Construction, Environment, Farming, Kenya, Medical, Multiple Opportunities, Sports, Teach English, Volunteer Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Lessons learnt while volunteering abroad

November 6, 2010 by Leave a Comment
“You are not in Kansas anymore.” Is a famous quote from the story the wizard of Oz. It’s the same feeling most international volunteers feel when they are volunteering abroad. However much a person has travelled and places a person has been to, there are always new experiences and new lessons to be learnt while you are abroad. At home we get used to the way things are and how they should be. When we go abroad everything changes, for example if you are used to eating using forks and knives, there are other places like in Africa where they mostly use their hands to eat. In Japan and china people use mostly chopsticks for their meals.  As an international volunteer you will see how people do things differently and since you can’t change them you will have to change yourself and adjust to the new conditions. Here are a couple of lessons you will learn while you volunteer abroad
About yourself
When you are volunteering abroad, you will get to have a new cultural experience and see how that part of the world is. You will see their traditions, customs and their beliefs. When you are exposed to their virtues, values and vices you get to appreciate your culture more. You will see how different your culture is from theirs. While you are abroad, you will learn new things about yourself that you didn’t know. You will find out how you don’t so many things. You will learn to be more flexible, and it will be easier for you to adjust to new conditions. You will learn how to get by with less and make the most of what you have. You will be able to come up with creative solutions and out of the box like thinking to solve problems. At the end of your volunteer work you will be more mature and more adept to understanding situations. Generally you will become a better human being and learn to be patient in order to get along with people
Languages
If you want to learn a language properly, going to a country that speaks the language will be the fastest way to do it. If you want to speak Spanish, going to Mexico and other Spanish speaking countries will help you grasp the language faster. Being there will give you a chance to learn and practice the language. When you are in third world countries you will be able to pick up other local languages that are spoken. For example in Kenya they official language is English but they also speak Kiswahili and when you volunteer in Kenya you will be able to pick up the Kiswahili language as well. Learning to speak various languages will put you in a better position and you will be able to work anywhere while at the same time travel to any part of the world.
Safety
While you volunteer abroad you will always be conscience of your safety. You would have known how to keep your important things safe from being stolen and how to keep yourself from harm. You will also know how to avoid problems that could comprise your safety. For example as a lady you will know it’s not advisable not to wear too much jewelry as they will attract negative attention. Also you would know which clothes that would offend the local people. Being abroad teaches you how to interact with local without leading to disputes and also helps you in problem solving.
Days
There will always be good and bad days wherever you are. Good days are awesome especially in a new place. Bad days are much worse while you are abroad because you don’t know how to react in such situations. A bad day could be like when you lose important documents or have a bad encounter with one of the locals. In such occasions you will learn ways to solve your problems and moving on. One of my favorite ways is stepping back, laugh at the situation then you will be able to come up with a solution. Smiling with people also helps to solve problems that you could be having with people. As foreigners travelling in a country it is best to stay positive even though our situation could be dire.
Document your experience
Volunteers keep blogs, websites, journals, photos and videos to document their travel experience. Later on in life many past volunteer wish that they took more photos or wrote more to remind them of their experience. Doing all this will be great especially if you are telling your friend s about your trip abroad.

“You are not in Kansas anymore.” Is a famous quote from the story the wizard of Oz. It’s the same feeling most international volunteers feel when they are volunteering abroad. However much a person has travelled and places a person has been to, there are always new experiences and new lessons to be learnt while you are abroad. At home we get used to the way things are and how they should be. When we go abroad everything changes, for example if you are used to eating using forks and knives, there are other places like in Africa where they mostly use their hands to eat. In Japan and china people use mostly chopsticks for their meals.  As an international volunteer you will see how people do things differently and since you can’t change them you will have to change yourself and adjust to the new conditions. Here are a couple of lessons you will learn while you volunteer abroad

About yourself
When you are volunteering abroad, you will get to have a new cultural experience and see how that part of the world is. You will see their traditions, customs and their beliefs. When you are exposed to their virtues, values and vices you get to appreciate your culture more. You will see how different your culture is from theirs. While you are abroad, you will learn new things about yourself that you didn’t know. You will find out how you don’t so many things. You will learn to be more flexible, and it will be easier for you to adjust to new conditions. You will learn how to get by with less and make the most of what you have. You will be able to come up with creative solutions and out of the box like thinking to solve problems. At the end of your volunteer work you will be more mature and more adept to understanding situations. Generally you will become a better human being and learn to be patient in order to get along with people

Languages
If you want to learn a language properly, going to a country that speaks the language will be the fastest way to do it. If you want to speak Spanish, going to Mexico and other Spanish speaking countries will help you grasp the language faster. Being there will give you a chance to learn and practice the language. When you are in third world countries you will be able to pick up other local languages that are spoken. For example in Kenya they official language is English but they also speak Kiswahili and when you volunteer in Kenya you will be able to pick up the Kiswahili language as well. Learning to speak various languages will put you in a better position and you will be able to work anywhere while at the same time travel to any part of the world.

Safety
While you volunteer abroad you will always be conscience of your safety. You would have known how to keep your important things safe from being stolen and how to keep yourself from harm. You will also know how to avoid problems that could comprise your safety. For example as a lady you will know it’s not advisable not to wear too much jewelry as they will attract negative attention. Also you would know which clothes that would offend the local people. Being abroad teaches you how to interact with local without leading to disputes and also helps you in problem solving.

Days
There will always be good and bad days wherever you are. Good days are awesome especially in a new place. Bad days are much worse while you are abroad because you don’t know how to react in such situations. A bad day could be like when you lose important documents or have a bad encounter with one of the locals. In such occasions you will learn ways to solve your problems and moving on. One of my favorite ways is stepping back, laugh at the situation then you will be able to come up with a solution. Smiling with people also helps to solve problems that you could be having with people. As foreigners travelling in a country it is best to stay positive even though our situation could be dire.
Document your experience
Volunteers keep blogs, websites, journals, photos and videos to document their travel experience. Later on in life many past volunteer wish that they took more photos or wrote more to remind them of their experience. Doing all this will be great especially if you are telling your friend s about your trip abroad.

For more information and great deals on volunteering in Africa visit http://www.volunteercapitalcentre.org/kenya.aspx

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Volunteer abroad transportation

October 4, 2010 by Leave a Comment

It is important to consider means of transportation and commuting when planning your volunteer abroad trip.  There are various means of transport available depending on the country in which you are going.  You could travel by road, rail, ship or plane, depending on the location of your program project and country you are going to. If you are going to stay in a foreign country as a volunteer, back packer, study abroad student, gap year traveler or just a traveler,  for a month or longer you should find out what are the best means to travel while you are there. The most common means of transport is public transport which is sometimes run by the national government, or sometimes could be run by the city and in some case the tourist centres. Choosing the best way to travel depends on your budget and the resources that are available to you. While you are abroad you could travel by:

Plane

Travelling by plane is the most popular especially if you are going to travel over long distances. Unfortunately it is also the most expensive way to travel. Younger adults (26 years and younger) can use International Student Identity Card (ICIS), International Youth Travel Card (IYTC) and Youth Hostel Association (YHA) to get discounts on flights.  Booking in advance can allow you to take advantage of flight deals and discounts. During the long flight hours try to make yourself comfortable by wearing loose fitting clothes and carry anything that would entertain you during the flight. If you suffer from airsickness, get motion sickness tablets, they will help you during your flight. Follow the airlines’ regulations and rules for everyone’s’ safety.

Ship

Travelling by boat is common in areas that have islands, or in places that don’t have access to bridges. In places like Italy there are many waterways and the preferred way to travel is by boat. For safety, you should check whether the vessel has been registered for voyages; the marine conditions of the area; and travel advisories at the dock. To overcome seasickness you can get medication from a doctor, wear a special wrist band that controls your pulse rate and try to stay on the deck to a catch of the breeze. In some remote villages on islands, you will have to travel by boat. In these places, there will be dhows available and you have to be very careful when travelling by them.

Train and buses

Public transportation is different in every country and is through trains and busses. Trains are sometimes the best means of transport because they are cheaper than planes and more comfortable than busses. When backpacking across Europe travelling by train is the most effective means of transportation. You can save money on trains by using ICIS, IYTC and YTH cards if you are a young adult. Trains are relatively safe, with very few accidents occurring but you should keep your travel documents and personal documents very safe in your hand luggage. In trains you are more prone to be robbed or pick-pocketed especially on the train stations. Traveling by bus is more comfortable especially if you are travelling for shorter periods. Although the new rules and routes could be intimidating, take a local friend with you to help you navigate. You can get a public transportation map, to help you and learn how to stop the bus.

Car and motor bikes

Travelling by car is very comfortable especially for short distances. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP) from AAR so as to drive any part of the world. You could either buy or rent a car for the period of you volunteer abroad. Traffic rules and regulations vary with the country for example in some countries they drive on the left while in others they drive on right side. When renting or buying a car, insure it and don’t rent something too exotic that will attract attention. For safety, follow the traffic rules, don’t leave valuables in the car, and don’t drive at night.  Motor bikes are great for avoiding traffic jams and parking fees.

Bicycles and walking

This is the most inexpensive mode of transport. It’s the best way of keeping fit and works best if you live close to your school or volunteer project. For safety don’t walk at night and follow the pedestrian traffic rules. Also don’t wear clothes that will attract too much attention; wear expensive jewelry and carry your handbag close to you.

For more information on volunteering in Africa visit http://www.volunteercapitalcentre.org

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Volunteer Abroad Advice for parents

September 27, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Advice for Parents when your Children have decided to Volunteer Abroad

Many young adults are opting to take a gap year or volunteer abroad vacation for a period of time. With these vacations the children stay for a minimum of one week to three years depending on how they have planed their trip. As a result many parents these days are faced with the dilemma of letting their kids to travel alone. The parents have done a great job teaching their children to be independent and responsible. The real test comes when the children ask for their independence by asking their parents their desire to volunteer abroad. Most parents are uncomfortable with this request as there are too many concerns to address. One of the concerns is that their child might not be mature enough to live in a country by themselves for a long period of time. Another problem is that most of the parents have not travelled to other countries and they don’t know how to give advice on travelling abroad. Many parents aren’t sure that their children can travel abroad without them. They are also worried about health issues; their kids could get homesickness; and security issues. Many first time travelers have a problem convincing their parents to let them volunteer abroad.  As the volunteers they should inform their parents of the benefits that come from volunteering abroad, and most parents are glad to have let their kids volunteer abroad. As a parent who has a child who wants to volunteer abroad, you can help by:

Planning

Your child would have already done most of the work and found a travel organization that s/he would use. Although your child might have researched where they want to go and which company to use there are small details that they might have over looked. As the parent you should counter check everything the child has done to make sure s/he didn’t forget anything out. You should pay particular attention to what the organization is and not offering; fees cancelation policy; their privacy policy and the benefit to the child’s career. Find out where the volunteer project is and what work they will be doing. Since volunteering is not just a humanitarian act, picking the right volunteer abroad program it could help building your child’s career. As the parent you should contact the organization directly to speak to the person who is in charge and planning everything for your child. Also if there is an in country coordinator, s/he should be contacted to for advice about the place.

Travel together

Some parents travel with their kids and help them adjust to the new environment. They stay with their children during the first week to help them navigate around the city.  You can go with your child to the orientation, find out where the project is, look at the working conditions, meet the project coordinator, look at the available resources and check to make sure it is safe. Also you could help your kid to find out where the nearest hospitals, restaurants, cyber cafes and how well to travel around the area. You could also get for her a phone and an appropriate internet connection so that you can communicate when you leave. Make copies of your child’s important documents like passport, visa, credit cards and travel insurance just in case s/he loses them.

Budgeting

You could help your child in budgeting money for the duration of the volunteer work. Since you will be funding most of the expenses, come up with an appropriate budget that can work for both of you. Also you should set yourself as a power of attorney on your child’s bank account in case your child runs into financial problems. Ensure your child as a Visa Card or a Master as these are available in most parts of the country. Carry travelers’ cheques could be useful in case they lose their credit cards. These are also exchanged in most banks and airports.

Health

When you are planning take your child to see a general practitioner to get advice and medical checkups. Ensure your child gets the proper vaccination before they leave. Get a proper travel insurance which will take care of your child when you are abroad. If your child is going to an area prone to diseases like malaria make them carry a mosquito net, or make them have bottled water to avoid getting typhoid. If your child has a preexisting medical condition tell him/ her to carry double the medication as they might lose their first dose. Give general advice about staying healthy and avoid getting sick.

For more information on volunteering abroad visit http://www.volunteercapitalcentre.org

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