Help the children in Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya

Details

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  Description

  We are a portuguese NGO based in Kibera, Nairobi, one of the largest slums in the world. Founded by a portuguese women Marta in 2012, we support over 60 children and their families providing them with education, extracurricular activities, food, health care, clothing, and a lot of love. We have a small project located in Kibera where our kids spend their afternoons, on weekdays, and even hole days, during weekends and holidays, doing homework, studying and participating in a number of activities organized by our volunteers. We try to expose them to as many different people and experiences as possible, showing them how is life outside of the slum without ever discouraging or invalidating their own culture and heritage.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Art Projects

  Teaching

  Gardening

  Babysitting and creative play
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Staying with us you will have the chance to be completely immersed in the Kenyan culture, specifically the daily vibrant life of Kibera. We live outside of the tourist part of Nairobi and that gives you a change to really live like a local and enjoy all the good things about the Kenyan lifestyle. Whether is with the kids, the mamas or even the local store owners, there’s always opportunities for you to learn more about Kenyan culture. Being a portuguese NGO you will also get a chance to live with some portuguese and will teach you all about our own culture, if you wish.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  We are looking for anyone who likes working with kids and wants to help us make our project grow.
  
  Most of our weekday’s afternoons at the project are spent helping out with homework and making sure everyone is ready for their exams. Therefore, we are always in need of volunteers who can help the kids in all of the different subjects they have from maths and history to biology, physics and french or english. On weekends we try to combine study time with other activities more outside of the normal curriculum, like acrobatics, dance, painting, empowerment and anything else we can think of. So whether you have any teaching background or a specific skill you would like to share with our kids, come and join us!
  
  Dealing with many kids and being in charge of their health requires that we keep track of all their medical histories and do regular check ups in all areas. Thus, we are always looking for people in the medical field (nurses, doctors, paramedics, etc.) who can help us better our health program and teach our kids about nutrition, sexual health, mental health, etc.
  
  If you have experience in any of the following fields, we are very interested in hosting you:
  - Photography
  - Video
  - Sports (any kind, specially experience in teaching sports to kids)
  - Music (specially in teaching to kids)
  - Experience fundraising
  - Small jobs like repairs and painting

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent
  Portuguese: Fluent
  Spanish: Intermediate
  French: Beginner

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  Accommodation

  We have a "volunteer house" very close to Kibera (15 min walk) where our staff and volunteers all live together. It's a big house, with a big common space and enough rooms for all of us to live comfortably. Volunteers are usually asked to share rooms with each other, but we do try to separate people based on gender and whether or not we have couples in the group, and bathrooms are also shared. The house as all the basic things you need: electricity, hot water, kitchen, etc. Laundry is done once a week by one of the Mamas who clean our house. All the common areas are cleaned regularly by the Mamas but we do ask that you always clean after yourself and keep everything as tidy as possible. We ask volunteers to contribute with a small amount for the upkeeping of the house - ask us out it works!
  
  We have some girls from the project living with us or staying a few nights a week. They're ages range from 13-15 and they are used to sharing the space with our volunteers. They have their own room.
  
  In regard to food, during holidays you are welcomed to have lunch and break snacks with the kids at the project – its also a great way to try homecooked Kenyan food. If we are not in holidays, you can still have the afternoon snack during weekdays at the project, but the rest of the meals are at home or in nearby restaurants. Restaurants close to home and the project will typically charge you less than 2 euros for a full meal and fruit and vegetables stands can be found in literally every corner.

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  What else ...

  In your time off we encourage you to get to know Kenya and all its beautiful sceneries. Whether you would like to visit the sunny beaches by the Coast or do a wild animal safari, we have got you covered and can help you plan the most amazing experiences. Even without living the city of Nairobi you can visit the National Park, the only wild animal reserve located inside a capital, and see rhinos, lions, zebras, and a lot more. If you like hiking a morning in Ngong Hills is always a good idea or a walk in Karura Forest. Kenya is filled with magical places and has something for everyone’s taste, you just have to be willing to look for it – with a little help from us obviously.
  Regarding transportation we usually walk from the house to the project and back. Longer distances can be done by matatu, the local public transport, or boda boda, motorbikes. Uber and Bolt are also available and have relatively cheap prices.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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