The Situation:
With an estimated 60,000 orphans in Nairobi alone, and over 800,000 throughout the country, the need for childcare workers is staggering. The majority of these children, having lost their parents to HIV/AIDS and other diseases, have no place to go. They face overwhelming adversity, against which Kenya’s rudimentary social welfare services provide very limited options. In the orphanages that do exist, staff struggle with very scarce resources to feed, clothe and educate the children in their care. And all too often the staff simply doesn’t have the time to provide the individual love and attention the children need. At most of the orphanages we work with, the staff to child ratio is greater than thirty to one.

How you can help:
As a volunteer working with orphaned children, you will help them learn the life-skills that their parents never got the chance to. By getting involved in the day-to-day running of the orphanage you are placed in, you’ll make sure the children are fed, washed and dressed, and pay them much-needed personal attention. Due to the chaotic nature of the orphanages we have partnered with, life there for volunteers is varied and full. Your role will probably involve a small element of teaching—including English, health education, and any other area you are comfortable with. For the orphanages with older children, you may be involved with teaching more practical skills, such as carpentry or arts and crafts. Past volunteers have become involved with knitting projects, assisted in cooking meals and even arranged football matches against other orphanages. But perhaps the most important role volunteers take on is that of a friend. You’ll be astonished at how much just a smile and a hug means to an orphaned child.

Costs to participate:

	Currency	First month	Additional month
	US Dollars	$1,295	$895
	Canadian Dollars	$1,445	$995
	British Pounds	£695	£495
	Euros	€ 1,045	€ 995

The details:

Location: Nairobi and Mombassa
Duration: Two weeks to six months
Requirements: Minimum age of 17
Availability: Available year-round
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, with some evening work