This project really does bring you face to face with the best and the worst of Africa; resilient people battling one of the worst humanitarian crises on the planet. Children’s homes have been set up around Kenya to help children who have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS. They offer the children a safe and supportive shelter, a basic education and a real chance in life. With the beat of the African drums filling the streets this is the real Africa, with none of the pips removed. The projects may be challenging but they offer real opportunities to make a difference. Just bring in plenty of compassion and patience. 

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.

The AIDS orphanages we work with are already understaffed and rely on the input of local volunteers to continue their good work. With the additional help 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.

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.

You will need to be flexible and have patience, compassion and enthusiasm to face the many hurdles and challenges that you will inevitably encounter within your role. To ensure that you get the most out of and contribute fully to your project, a pro-active attitude is essential. A love of children is a must, while some background knowledge of HIV/AIDS and how it has affected the African continent is also useful. Above all, you should be emotionally mature, tolerant and open-minded.

 

 

Are you looking for an adventurous trip with a purpose, or on a gap year or career break? If you want to make a difference in some of the world’s most important conservation areas - and in community projects - then volunteer tripsare for you! Volunteers tend to have a sense of adventure, and come from a range of different backgrounds and from all over the world. 
Edward Abbey said 'sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul'.