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GYC2377 - Community work with AIDS orphans Country: Kenya Cost: £875.00 Please note: £100 per week Cost Includes: The price includes accommodation, food and pickup from airport but does not include flight, insurance, kit or visas     Duration: 2 weeks (2 - 12 weeks avaliable) Company Rep Nearby: All the time 0845 344 7592 or

 

	This placement would suit... volunteers who must have, above all, a love of children and want to make a real difference in their lives. This is a great project for those with patience, compassion and enthusiasm. Volunteers will inevitably encounter challenges within your role so come with plenty of determination. Some background knowledge of HIV / AIDS and how it has affected the African continent would also be useful. We have opportunities across Kenya and have been working with locally run volunteer groups for years. This project presents the opportunity to help those whose lives have been affected by the AIDS epidemic in Kenya. Working at a home for children who have lost their parents to AIDS or HIV-related diseases, you can help with all manner of tasks at the centre. Help is needed in everything from cooking and serving food to the children, to assisting with their basic education with sports and English lessons. Participating in orphanage volunteer work, you may also get involved with counselling sessions, so there are real prospects to make a difference and promote community development in Kenya. Project details: The centres we currently work with only take in HIV positive children. The aims of the centres are to provide a home, love, care and quality of life to the children. There are also plans to set up a school for the kids which will also take in children from the neighbourhood. By 2001, an estimated 890,000 children in Kenya had been orphaned by AIDS and HIV-related diseases. With 15% of the population carrying the virus, an increasing number of children are at risk of being caught in the wake of the epidemic. Why the project needs volunteers: The AIDS orphanages we work with are already understaffed and rely on the input of local volunteers to continue their work. With the additional help of i-to-i volunteers, the orphanages can provide a greater level of support and education for the children, and offer them more individual care and attention. The children will also benefit from the social interaction with volunteers, the chance to learn some valuable English skills and the exposure to a different culture. Your role as a volunteer: The orphanage requires extra pairs of hands to help with the day-to-day running of the project, so you will be expected to assist with cleaning, cooking and serving food to the children. You will also help to provide a basic education for the children, by organising Physical Education / Sports lessons and teaching English. You may also be required to assist the staff in counselling the children. Where the project is based: Mombasa is the second largest city in Kenya and is also the largest coastal port in East Africa. Mombasa has good transport connections and is well linked to the rest of the country. Facilities are good, with several banks, including Barclays, internet cafés, tour operators and most of the amenities you would expect from a city. Homestay accommodation is included in the project fee and is supplied with water and electricity, although both may be cut off from time to time. Please book your flight to arrive into Mombasa (airport code MBA) on the advertised arrival date to ensure your airport pickup. Our users say: "Overall it was an amazing experience. I think everyone should do this at least once as it's a real eye-opener. And coming back you really appreciate the small things in life. Some wonderful memories, I would not hesitate to recommend it to a friend." Danielle: Community work with AIDS orphans in Mombasa, Kenya 0845 344 7592 i-to-i: We pride ourselves in a high level of service to ensure that all our gap year travellers get the most our of their meaningful travel. With Teaching, Community Development, Conservation, Sports, Media and Health placements in 24 countries, we can offer you the meaningful gap year that you want.