Great Mercy invite all individuals, couples, students 18 yrs. and above wishing to obtain a working holiday experi-ence in our Kitale Orphanage and outreach program in Rift-Valley and Trans-Nzoia District Kenya and in local sec-ondary schools throughout Kenya.

This programme focuses on volunteering with children from local communities who have been orphaned due to their parents dying of AIDS. The devastating effect of this epidemic has meant that children are now on their own often looking after younger siblings. Great Mercy also work with widows, poor communities and local school building their capacities so that they are able to handle their own problems. Unfortunately, there are many needy children and impoverished families in Africa who are now reliant upon outside help, both domestic and international. This means that volunteers are fundamental to the ongoing work of this project.

The orphans are both officially and unofficially “adopted” by the programme and supported in all aspects of their lives being taught various income generating skills to help ensure their family’s survival, together with being given vital education, resources and love. By volunteering, you will help children, disadvantaged communities and marginalized groups of individuals, such as widows, abandoned, orphaned children, ... build a better life and support themselves.

The volunteer work is hugely rewarding and the objective is to promote sustainable projects and progress.

MAIN WORK ACTIVITIES :

• Vocational training : You can help the youngsters by teaching them skills such computer training, Math and English ;

• Sexual Health Education : Take part in discussions and forums about western lifestyle, sexual health, AIDS awareness and other topics ;

• Mobile clinics : Attend to the sick, the elderly, orphans and other community members, or if you prefer you can undertake clerical duties relating to their care ;

• Food Security : You may provide support to impoverished families demonstrating sustainable agricultural prac-tices and improving food production and diet ;

• Caring for orphans in the Kitale orphanage home ;

• Relief programme : Involves reaching out to poor families with food relations and clothing ;

• Counseling Programme : You can visit people with AIDS, talk with them and offer them care and support ;

• Construction and Hand on Activities: There are all kinds of jobs to do depending on your skills ranging from carrying building materials to hands-on building work.

The Kitale Orphanage Community Programme is a shining example of a successful community upliftment programme. It is situated in Kitale town Rift-Valley Province Kenya and aims to help those who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

About this project :

This programme is run under the guidance of Mrs. Judith Mutange who has a special place in her heart for children. In addition to the various AIDS education, building and agricultural projects on offer, volunteers also get the opportunity to help change the lives of the young orphans in the Great Mercy Orphanage.

The programme focuses on orphans, abandoned and children from poor background have an orphaned child often only 1-16 years old looking after their younger siblings. You will help these children to carry the burden that the AIDS epidemic has left them, since taking their parents. The orphans are officially “adopted” by the programme and the older children are taught various income generating skills to ensure their new family’s survival. The program also provides the orphans with proper shelter, food and school fees so that they can go back to school.

There are a number of activities and projects that need volunteer assistance: the main one being helping staff to support and educate the many orphans that the project has formally adopted. This may include activities such as helping to build the orphans adequate shelter, helping them to learn skills such as farming, carpentry and art and finally just giving the orphans the love and attention that they so desperately need.

You may also be asked to assist with some of the other projects such as :

• Home based care visits.

• Sexual health education: As they learn about African lifestyle; children in primary and secondary schools would love to learn the western lifestyle. This class is made up of project staff, foreign volunteers, pupils or students from local schools and teachers from the schools, discussing body development, sexual health and AIDS. Each of the above participants is required to give his/her views about different issues that are discussed. The same programme is also undertaken in the local communities, participating with the staff, volunteers, youths, orphans and guardians.

• Mobile clinic programme: Here knowledgeable volunteers give their services for free by attending to the sick widows, the elderly, orphans and other community members. Those without special skills can help with clerical responsibilities and learn by seeing how the nurses and staff go about attending to the sick. In this programme there is also a home based care initiative that reaches out to the HIV/AIDS orphans and widows.
• Food Security: This project involves reaching out to impoverished families to educate them on sustainable agriculture and support with food inputs. There is also the follow up exercise to ensure that families trained and supported are working hard and achieving success.
• Construction: This programme involves the protection of water springs to avail clean drinking water to the communities, providing building materials to offer adequate shelter for AIDS orphans. There is also the much anticipated construction of a community care center. While skilled volunteers can directly participate in construction works, unskilled volunteers may participate in areas such as material packing, transportation, loading, etc.
• Community mobilization: It is important for you to understand the objectives of this programme to ensure full community participation in problems that affect them and the entry strategy to a community where we have to facilitate development activities. In this case you will accompany staff to learn how we carry our community capacity building programme.

During your stay you will be accommodated in houses that you will share with the other volunteers on the program. The houses are comfortable but quite basic with running water and electricity etc. with good security. Water shortages may however be experienced.

During your stay on this project, food will be given by your host family, volunteers will be provided with three meals a day (break fast, lunch and dinner), food will be prepared by the hosts with the help of the volunteers. Most foods are locally made and fresh produced.

This rural area where the program is situated is very beautiful and there are many natural landmarks such as waterfalls and caves to visit. The program is also in Kitale where there is a local game reserve that you can visit.

This will provide opportunities for international volunteers to learn/enjoy local life and exchange with local people, we have quit a number of touristic attractions and site seeing points (kitimikai, Impala Park, tour Rusinga Island, Lake Victoria for boat rides, bird watching, hippo search, safari in masaai Mara national reserve for game drive, ...).

You'll need to meet certain requirements, including age, health, and attitude. You'll also need a passport and visa to enter the country.

1. Age: You must be at least 18 years old (if you are below 18 years you need written consent from a guardian), or the age required by your program ;

2. Language: You should be able to speak at least basic English, or the language required by your program ;

3. Passport: You'll need a valid passport to enter Kenya ;

4. Visa: You'll need a Single Entry Visa or tourist visa to volunteer in Kenya ;

5. Travel insurance: You'll need to have travel and health insurance ;

6. Background check: You may need to provide a criminal background check report ;

7. Vaccinations: You may need to get certain vaccinations before entering Kenya ;

8. Training: You may need to participate in training provided by your organization ;

9. You should also be open-minded, flexible, and patient, and willing to step outside your comfort zone ;

10. A positive attitude towards the independent progress of others ;

11. A willingness to adapt to local conditions.

Arrival Terminal -Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Nairobi

Orientation:

The orientation meeting will take place in Nairobi before proceeding to the project.

Day 1: Arrival and pick up from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, in Nairobi, Kenya and transfer to host family home or hostel.

Day 2: Morning: registration and start of orientation. About 4 hours lecture at the home of your host. Topics covered during orientation lecture will include East African culture, history, customs, politics, geography, and necessary health precautions, and various other topics, such as the diversity of Kenyan life. Afternoon is free for exploring rural Kenyan life and getting to know your host family.

Additional requirements :

1. Some programs may have additional requirements, such as a registration fee or program fee ;

2. Medical volunteers may need to provide college enrollment documents ;

3. Volunteers working with children may need to provide a criminal background check report.
Age range: 18 and over

Participation fee:

450 Euros per months (12 months). The project fee or extra fee includes airport pick up, airport transfer, food, accommodation and host, transport from Nairobi to the project and back to Nairobi after the project, city tour, 2 days host In Nairobi on your arrival and last day after project, 24 hours Agape Centre Of Hope Office Support and project monitoring.

This Project runs all round the year and is open for applications at all times.