The green, luscious nation of Kenya is essentially Africa in a microcosm. Within its boundaries, Kenya packs in high mountains, dry deserts, beautiful beaches, and stunning coral reefs. Nevertheless, it is still a developing country and thus has a need for volunteers. There is always a high demand for volunteers who want to work with children in Kenya.
Better Me is a leading volunteer organization known for combining personal development with meaningful impact. One of our greatest passions is to support young people to find and unleash the inner power that each of us carries deep within. Once unleashed, we are able to trust our intuition, discover our talents and express our unique gifts. We believe that each of us holds a puzzle piece to the greater whole and when we live our calling, then there is no one to compete with.
Our work provides a space for volunteers from around the globe to share their skills and talents as tools for transformation. We support them to unleash their highest potential and with that, bring about hope and positive change for our beneficiaries . A Better World starts with a Better Me.
The Better Me Volunteer Experience takes place at the Korando Educational Centre, located just 20 km from Kenya's third-largest city, Kisumu.
For volunteers from Europe we are recommending a direct flight with KLM / Kenyan Airways from Amsterdam to Nairobi and a short connection flight with Kenyan Airways to Kisumu. Kenya enjoys a tropical climate.
Read also: "Better Half": A Nigerian Drama Analysis
All volunteers live together at the Better Me Kenya HQ, located on the secure premises of the Korando Educational Center in our comfortable Volunteer Dome House. This unique building was constructed in 2015 with over 10 000 locally made clay bricks, assembled by local craftsman, spearheaded by its originator, Torsten Kremser. Torsten designed the house as an inspiring "Symbol of Hope" to bring support for the children of Korando.
Spherical Walls: Literally feels like you live inside a giant ball! Imagine waking up in the colorful dome house, the morning air is crisp, filled with promise, and the first rays of sun filter through the trees, casting a golden light onto the skylight. The Lake Victoria is at our door step, as well as the Impala Park where some of the big five can be seen. Also Kakamega Rainforest, Kenyas last remaining rainforest and Mt. Long weekends can be taken to travel further afield (i.e. Mombasa, Uganda or Tanzania), or to embark on a safari (i.e.
Some possible cities in Kenya to volunteer in are Kisumu, Kitale, Mombasa, Nairobi, and Nakuru.
In Kisumu, many children face limited access to quality education and enrichment opportunities. Poverty, overcrowded classrooms, and a lack of resources mean students often struggle to reach their full potential.
As a Better Me volunteer, you’ll support after-school activities in English, Creative Arts, Music, Swimming, and Physical Education.
Read also: Delicious African Recipes
You’ll facilitate health and wellness sessions designed to promote physical and emotional well-being.
Volunteers can expect to participate in case work, conduct household visits, and provide crucial support to beneficiaries, including managing bursary programs for students in need. You’ll use a curated library of life skills training materials to deliver interactive sessions at local schools.
You’ll coach football for the Nyalenda Young Stars, a club founded by two former Better Me volunteers.
We’re local: Our team lives and works in Kisumu. It’s their home and this work is close to their heart. We’re ethical: No orphanage tourism. No staged photo ops.
Sadly, when there isn’t a volunteer to organize something for the group, the lack of resources (material, but specially human) leaves them to spend that time doing homework for other subjects, or just chatting around the classroom.
Read also: Waste to Wonder: Flip Flop Art
The Importance of Creative Arts
At Better Me, we really believe that creativity is an essential skill to be developed in every human being. The ability to find new solutions relies more on creativity than just on a big amount of theoretical or technical knowledge. Specially here, where the lack of resources is an everyday concern, being able to think of new solutions can be a great advantage for our pupils in the future.
Art can also be a perfect way to develop self confidence, to learn how to express emotions, how to recognize them and deal with them. Art can educate tolerance, respect, multiculturality or equality. Through art, kids express their feelings and thoughts, and makes any conversation related much easier than a traditional approach of asking them to express themselves with words.
Keep in mind that by Creative Arts, you are not limited to plastic arts. You can teach them about music, theater, dance and corporal expression. During this lesson, you can share with the children any knowledge you have or introduce any subject you are interested in through a creative path.
They are not used to have access to many materials, so a few stickers, colored papers, pencils, or almost any small material you can bring, will have a huge impact in their motivation to learn from you. Most materials can be easily found in Kisumu town, where we go at least once per week. However, we encourage you to be a creative and use recycled materials, to create as little waste as possible.
17 COLORFUL CRAFTS FOR BORING DAYS
We have had a theater group with classes 4th to 8th, which delighted both pupils and teachers. The kids that participated took the big step of putting themselves in front of the school, and brought up some really interesting topics. Theater is a great way to open up discussions about society , how to improve it and about what worries them.
Volunteer Support and How to Apply
You will be provided with resources built by our previous volunteers, so you will have an idea of what to expect and how Korando reacted to different experiences in the past, and support and advice during the design and implementation of your project. This way, we want to guarantee that you make the best out of your volunteering experience, and we all learn something new from it.
Volunteer Support: If you volunteer in Kenya through an organization, they will have a support system in place that you can turn to if you need help or have questions.
To apply, simply follow the application process. Your contact information, which program(s) you’re interested in, what date you wish to start, and some details about your background. No problem!
During your interview call, you'll have the chance to discuss which tasks and activities you'd like to participate in during your stay.
Because we work with vulnerable children, we conduct background checks and interview calls before confirming any placements.
Read the preparatory eBook and complete the Application Form. If your application is successful, we will assist you in finding the best flights.
Please add your phone number with country code i.e. We will use this information to contact you regarding the application process, and to keep you informed about any updates or changes. Your data will be stored securely and will not be shared with any third parties without your consent.
Volunteer Experiences
Here are some quotes from past volunteers:
- “Even when the day was wearisome, because there is always something to do, in the evening, when you sit around the table with everyone, you feel happy. “I recommend everyone to try what I’ve been doing - it is fantastic!"
- “I simply feel part of the Korando family and I have experienced and share it’s values. Close to me I have my orange booklet with lots of notes. I’m sure I will start writing stories."
- “Since the first day we arrived to Kisumu I have felt like home. Mama Dolfine, the extraordinary woman who runs the amazing Korando Educational Centre, the kids, the teachers, the team and the other volunteers welcomed us warmly with songs and dancing. It was one of the sweetest moments we have ever experienced. We were so excited and happy that we didn't know what to do! I couldn't believe we were already there."
- “Without any doubt, “Korando Educational Center” has changed my life forever. I will never be the same after my experience there. I went to Kisumu with the idea of helping and giving the children as much as I can, and I came back to Madrid with more things learnt than I taught. I have been a student of the subject of life."
- “At first I found it odd that Torsten and Simon only responded to Torsty or Simmy (haha). But looking past that, my 4 weeks at Korando was the best experience. From the moment you wake up your day is filled with love, happiness and of course a little bit of chaos (the good kind). The friendships and memories I have because of Better Me are ones I’ll cherish forever.If you’re tossing up your decision between Better Me and other projects, I’d definitely recommend Better Me! You will get a real insight into the ‘African culture’ and the friendships and relationships you build with Mama, the team, the children and other volunteers will inspire you in many ways."
- “Had the most wonderful time here. I felt home immediately, and the love received felt unconditional. Mama Dolfine is one amazing woman and I was inspired by her story and words of wisdom. So proud of Torsten and the volunteers for helping her achieve her dream of helping the community."
- “Amazing project with great, inspiring people and unbelievably sweet and respectful children. It’s a small organisation, which means that your personal contribution will make a real difference."
- “I feel that my soul and my heart grew a lot in Africa. They say it’s the experiences you had that define you, not your material possessions."
- “I hadn’t gone and i was missing them already. I had one of the best experience in my life with the children, Mama Dolfine and my friend Torsten who is doing an amazing labour there! Everyone was so nice with me that now i have a piece of Africa in my heart forever!"
Popular articles:
tags: #Kenya
