At a glance
- Help disadvantaged children learn through play by organising fun and educational activities.
- You’ll also take part in basic renovation work to improve and brighten the classroom environment.
- Keep the children entertained and focused on different activities, allowing the teacher to work with students who are struggling.
- Volunteer Service Hours: 40 to 60
- Download an itinerary for this project.
Is childcare volunteering in Kenya for teenagers right for me?
Are you a high school student? Do you enjoy working with children? Do you want to make a positive impact while experiencing a different culture? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this is the ideal project for you.
You’ll split your time between organising educational classroom activities, and light renovation work. It’s a great way to gain childcare experience, and boost your CV. You’ll also learn important skills such as communication, teamwork, and planning. These skills can be applied to any career you pursue.
We know that travelling by yourself to a different country can be scary. But don’t worry, you’re in good hands! Projects Abroad staff are with you constantly to make sure you have everything you need. Our host families will make you feel right at home. The project is also fully supervised, so you won’t be left alone.
What will I do on this project?
Here are just some of the activities you can get involved in on this Childcare & Community High School Special:
Your work will focus on the following main tasks:
Organise fun, educational activities for children
Learning through play is a great way for children to reach their development milestones while still having fun. You can organise arts and crafts activities, teaching the kids colours and shapes. Or set up an outdoor game, where they can work on their hand-eye coordination. Local teachers and Projects Abroad staff will be there to give you ideas and advice for activities.
Take part in basic renovation work
Many of the buildings where the children learn and play are in need of some TLC. Working as a team, you and your fellow volunteers will take part in basic renovation work. This may involve giving the walls a fresh coat of paint, or designing an educational mural. A bright, welcoming educational environment can really make a big difference!
Experience the local culture with fellow volunteers
Kenya is a vibrant, scenic country with so much to offer visitors. We want to make sure you get the most out of your time abroad. You’ll take part in an amazing weekend trip to a local game park, which includes a safari. We also organise regular social events during the week. This gives you the chance to hang out with the other teenage volunteers while learning about the local culture. Throughout it all, Projects Abroad staff will be by your side.
Where in Kenya will I work?
Nanyuki
You will be based in the town of Nanyuki. While Nanyuki is a small town, it has all the basic conveniences that you might need. These include restaurants, banks, and grocery stores. It is also surrounded by a number of national parks and animal sanctuaries.
You’ll work at a government-run primary school in a disadvantaged area, as well as a day care centre for children with disabilities. This centre looks after these children while their parents are at work, so that they don’t have to stay at home all day. It also provides skills training for adults with disabilities, in order to improve their earning potential and quality of life.
What are the aims and impact of this project?
The main aim of this project is to provide extra support to children and staff at under-resourced care centres.
Many centres in Kenya that care for children are overcrowded. This means that teachers can’t provide children with the specialised attention that they need to thrive. In particular, this affects those with learning difficulties or those who have fallen behind in certain skill areas, such as literacy.
Furthermore, a lack of resources means that it can be difficult to make the learning process fun and engaging for young students. Some of the buildings themselves are in need of care, which means that the educational environment is not very stimulating or comfortable.
As a volunteer, you will help to address these issues, working alongside other teenagers from all over the world. You’ll act as a pair of extra helping hands for local teachers. This means they are able to better monitor the progress of the children, and spend time addressing struggle areas. Through basic renovation work, you’ll also help to make the learning environment a brighter and more welcoming space.
Join us on this Childcare & Community High School Special and help to support the education of local children.
Management plans
We set out the aims and objectives of our projects in documents called Management Plans. We use them to properly plan the work you’ll do. They also help us measure and evaluate our achievements and impact each year.
Ultimately, our Management Plans help us make our projects better. This in turn means you get to be part of something that makes a real impact where it’s needed. Read more about our Management Plans.
Measuring our impact
Every year, thousands of High School Special volunteers and interns actively make a difference around the world. During their time abroad, they contribute towards achieving long-term goals and make a long-lasting positive impact on the communities where they work.
We produce an annual High School Specials Impact Report, which documents some of these achievements. Find out more about the impact of these projects, and read the latest report.
Food and accommodation
You'll stay with a host family in Nanyuki. They'll welcome you into their home, eager to share their customs and learn about yours. We believe this is the best way to immerse yourself in the culture of Kenya and enjoy a unique experience.
We'll try to ensure you live alongside at least one other volunteer or intern at the same host family. Your room will be modest, but comfortable, clean, and safe.
Find out more about our accommodation.
Your program fee includes three meals a day. Get ready to try exciting new flavours like ugali (a maize staple), nyama choma (grilled goat meat), githeri (bean stew), and so much more. Your host will provide delicious local cuisine daily, while staff will take you to some of Nanyuki’s best restaurants.
Safety and staff support
Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have all the extra support you need as a young person travelling abroad. Our Projects Abroad staff are there for you 24 hours a day during the week and over weekends to provide constant support and guidance. Our staff also make sure you feel comfortable and safe at your placement and accommodation. If you encounter any problems, they will be available to help at any time.
Find out more about safety and backup.
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