Lend a hand in support of an community organisation in the Mathare Slums, Nairobi, Kenya

Details

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  Description

  Description
  My name is Jack, and I am the Founder of the Organisation based in Mathare Slums, Nairobi. We are a vibrant community initiative committed to empowering women and youth through practical skills development, education, and economic empowerment. Our key training areas include fashion and design, carpentry and woodwork, computer programming, business and financial literacy, and mentorship. We currently work with a strong community of 500 women who actively participate in savings groups and empowerment schemes designed to strengthen their livelihoods.
  In addition to our work in Mathare, we also support a kindergarten in rural Homa Bay village, where we promote early childhood learning and community-based development. As part of our broader vision for sustainable livelihoods, we also support agroecology initiatives that strengthen food security, environmental awareness, and resilience among families and communities.
  Our vision is to expand this impact by establishing a Community Resource Center that will serve as a safe and inclusive hub for learning, innovation, and socio-economic empowerment. The center will provide space for skills training, mentorship, enterprise development, and community support, helping women and young people unlock their full potential and build sustainable futures.
  To bring this vision to life, we are seeking passionate and committed volunteers who can support our training programs with their expertise and also help us mobilize resources for the development of the Community Resource Center. Whether through mentorship, technical support, fundraising, or advocacy, your contribution can make a meaningful difference.
  If you are passionate about community transformation and creating opportunities for underserved communities, we warmly invite you to join us on this journey. Together, we can uplift lives, strengthen resilience, and build a brighter future for the women, children, and families we serve in Mathare and rural Homa Bay.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Art Projects

  Help with Eco Projects

  Teaching

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Babysitting and creative play

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Hospitality/Tourism

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Interests

  

  Videography

  

  Technology

  

  Outdoor activities
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Volunteers in Kenya will experience cultural exchange and diverse learning opportunities. They will witness different ways of living in Nairobi, including the contrast between slums and the city. Cultural immersion involves learning traditional foods, folk songs, dancing techniques, and new languages. Interactions with locals include open discussions, historical site visits, and exposure to the rich history and resilience of the Kenyan people.
  
  Activities range from visits to animal orphanages, Crocodile Villa, Bomas of Kenya, game reserves, fishing in Lake Victoria, to exploring Maasai Mara game reserve. The organization promotes a peer-to-peer approach, exposing visitors to Luo cultural practices and the country's flora and fauna. Volunteers may gain a second family, learn the native language, develop interpersonal skills, and explore future research opportunities in traditional practices.
  
  Volunteers are encouraged to engage in social interactions with local children, organisation staffs and parents, providing a unique experience. The program is open throughout the year for individuals, couples, or teams. Considering the challenges of travel during the pandemic, online/remote volunteering is also welcomed.

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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

  Volunteer Opportunities
  
  Volunteers with our organisation have the freedom to choose projects that align with their interests, skills, and passion for community service. Our work is rooted in empowerment, education, and sustainable livelihoods, and we welcome individuals who are ready to make a meaningful contribution in the following areas:
  
  Social Media Management: Support the organisation in increasing its visibility through digital platforms by sharing powerful community stories, achievements, activities, and challenges. This role goes beyond Facebook and Instagram and welcomes creativity, fresh ideas, and innovative ways of growing our online presence and public engagement.
  
  Fundraising and Project Writing: Assist the organisation in identifying funding opportunities, building partnerships, and writing strong project proposals that help bring our vision to life. Volunteers in this area play an important role in helping us mobilise resources for community programs, the Community Resource Center, and other long-term development initiatives.
  
  Website and Content Management: Help manage and improve the content of the organisation’s website to ensure it remains informative, responsive, and engaging. This role is important in strengthening our communication, documentation, visibility, and credibility to partners, donors, and supporters.
  
  Video Production, Editing, and Photography: Use your skills in photography, videography, and editing to create high-quality visual content that highlights our programs, showcases impact stories, and supports communication, advocacy, and fundraising efforts.
  Computer Training and Digital Literacy: Volunteers with digital skills can support our efforts to train youth and women in computer literacy, coding, online communication, and digital tools that improve access to education, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities.
  Tailoring and Fashion Design Project: Our tailoring program supports vulnerable women and girls by equipping them with practical sewing, design, and garment-making skills that promote self-reliance, dignity, and income generation. Volunteers with experience in fashion, design, or sewing are highly encouraged to contribute.
  
  Carpentry Centre at the Organisation: The carpentry centre in Mathare slums provides practical training opportunities for youth and women, equipping them with essential carpentry and woodwork skills for sustainable livelihoods. This project helps create pathways for self-employment, craftsmanship, and community resilience.
  
  Business and Financial Literacy Training: Volunteers can support entrepreneurship and savings initiatives by helping community members build skills in budgeting, business management, record keeping, and financial literacy. This is especially valuable for women participating in savings groups and small livelihood projects.
  
  Mentorship and Life Skills Sharing: Volunteers are encouraged to mentor youth, women, and children by sharing their experience, hobbies, professional knowledge, and practical life skills. Whether your background is in education, health, technology, business, arts, or community work, your contribution can inspire and equip others.
  
  Kindergarten Support in Rural Homa Bay Village: Beyond Mathare, the organisation also supports a kindergarten project in rural Homa Bay village. This initiative promotes early childhood education and supports children in accessing a safer and more nurturing learning environment. Volunteers can contribute through teaching support, learning activities, mentorship, educational materials, and child-focused development initiatives.
  
  Agroecology and Village Livelihood Support: The rural village project also promotes agroecology as a pathway to sustainable livelihoods, food security, and environmental stewardship. Volunteers with knowledge in farming, kitchen gardening, ecological practices, nutrition, or community training can help strengthen this work and support families in building resilience.
  
  Community Resource Center Development: The organisation is working toward establishing a Community Resource Center that will serve as a hub for education, innovation, mentorship, and socio-economic empowerment. Volunteers can support this vision through fundraising, technical advice, networking, program development, and resource mobilisation.
  
  Donations and Resources: Contributions such as used laptops, carpentry tools, iPads, phones, video cameras, projectors, learning materials, clothes, carpentry tools, and sewing equipment such as Juki machines are highly appreciated. These resources directly strengthen our programs, especially those supporting vulnerable women, youth skills training, digital inclusion, and community learning spaces.
  
  Volunteer Obligations
  
  Introduction of Mission, Vision, and Expectations: Upon arrival, volunteers are kindly requested to communicate their mission, vision, and expectations. This helps create mutual understanding and provides a strong foundation for fruitful collaboration.
  
  Project Selection: Volunteers are encouraged to identify the project or program area they would like to support either before arrival or during their stay, based on their interests, strengths, and the needs of the organisation.
  
  Independent and Responsible Contribution: Volunteers are encouraged to give their best with commitment, professionalism, and initiative. Guidance and support will be available where needed, but volunteers are also expected to work responsibly and contribute meaningfully to service delivery.
  
  Respect for the Community: Volunteers are expected to engage with community members with humility, respect, openness, and cultural sensitivity. Positive relationships and a willingness to learn from the community are essential.
  
  Positive Impact: We seek volunteers who are genuinely committed to making a positive difference in the lives of youth, women, children, and older persons in the community. Every contribution, whether big or small, should aim to uplift, empower, and create lasting impact.
  
  Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing: Volunteers are encouraged to work collaboratively with staff, community members, and fellow volunteers, while also sharing their skills and learning from others in a spirit of partnership and solidarity.
  
  All are warmly welcome to join the organisation in its mission of transforming lives, strengthening communities, and creating opportunities for underserved families in Mathare and rural Homa Bay. Through your time, skills, ideas, and support, you can help us build a more empowered, inclusive, and hopeful future.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Luo: Fluent
  French: Beginner
  Latin: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  Volunteers staying in the host's flat will have a shared room, bathroom and kitchen.
  
  The Organization office in Mathare slums is about a 20-minute distance from the host's location, accessible by a public bus costing a maximum of 2 dollars per day.
  
  Three Meals are provided per day. Special diet requests can be accommodated, allowing guests to customize their meals within budget constraints.
  
  Volunteers are free to prepare their own meals, with encouragement to learn from others. The organization advises volunteers to bring personal items such as toothpaste, soaps, and first aid kits

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  What else ...

  Volunteers have the opportunity to engage with children during their free time, playing and interacting. The organization encourages volunteers to explore the community through trekking and guided tours with members. The choice of the touring model is at the discretion of the volunteers. Public transport and motorbike rides are readily available modes of transportation for their convenience.

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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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  My animals / pets

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