Someone who loves children and can give them time and attention. Can roll up their sleeves and use their initiative.

Could you help bring love and stability to orphans and others in care? Oyster has placements at a children’s home in Laikipia, where children of all ages are living together as a huge family. It’s a happy place, but it’s still an institution and the staff can never provide all the attention they need. The children will really appreciate it if you can make time for them, play with them and take an interest in their lives.

The home has children of all ages, from babies to adolescents, so there’s always plenty to do. Your role will be to help care for the children and keep them entertained. The staff will value your help with the day to day routines of the home - meal times, bed times and so on. When the older children are at school you’ll be able to look after the babies and toddlers, who have few toys and would love some stimulation. Once the older ones are back you’ll be in great demand as a playmate and trusted adult. Some will have had very difficult experiences and will be learning to enjoy life again. They’ll be fascinated by you and will love all your ideas for games and activities.

Where is the placement?

The children’s home is near Nanyuki in the Laikipia region. It’s a beautiful and relatively unvisited part of Kenya, situated right on the equator. Conservation is high on the agenda, making it a great place to enjoy African wildlife and scenery.

You will live in accommodation at the home, which will be basic but comfortable.

How can I spend my free time?

Oyster has a number of different voluntary projects in the area, including teaching and conservation. This means you’ll have a group of other volunteers nearby to meet up and explore with. You’ll find plenty of things to do in and around Nanyuki during your time off and there are loads of opportunities to make the most of the amazing Kenyan countryside. You could climb Mount Kenya, do river rafting or canoeing. And Oyster provides a brilliant safari for you at no extra cost!

Oyster Worldwide Support

Our friendly UK team will be there to offer advice and make sure all the arrangements are in place. Shortly before you leave you’ll meet the other members of your group and receive thorough preparation at a pre-departure course.

Our local representative, Gill, will meet you at Nairobi airport and settle you in to your projects. During the first few days of your stay she will provide an induction course with plenty of useful advice about life in Kenya. This will include a course in Swahili. Gill will keep us updated on your progress and welfare and you will be able to turn to her for help with any problems you don’t feel able to sort by yourself.

Why Oyster?

Why choose Oyster? We’re small enough to keep close to our volunteers and close to our placements. We focus on you and the needs of the communities we deal with, rather than our profit margin. We know what people want in their gap year (we’ve been doing this for years) and our formula of challenging work, travel in a group, preparation and ongoing support aims to achieve this. We think it works. But don’t just talk to us. We can put you in touch with ex-participants who can tell you why it worked for them.

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We'll send you to places you've never been to try new things and meet new people - change the lives of street kids in Brazil, perfect your Spanish teaching in Chile or finance an amazing ski season working in a Canadian resort. Whatever you choose, we'll help you get it right!