Welcome to Nyumbani- A Guide for New Volunteers and Visitors
I. The Volunteer and Visitor Programs
There are two volunteer programs offered by Nyumbani and one visitor program run by Spurwing Travel and Tour Ltd, a local travel agency located next to Nyumbani Children's Home.
A. Visitor Program
The main objective of the visitor program is to assist our guests in learning about the many services offered by the Children of God Relief Institute (COGRI) for HIV+ children and their families in Kenya including Nyumbani Children’s Home, the Leatoto Program, and the new Nyumbani Village Program.
A1) Tour/Visit
DURATION: approximately 1 hour
For individuals who have limited time and would like to briefly visit and tour the Nyumbani Children’s Home facility in Nairobi, please contact info@nyumbani.org to schedule an appointment.
A2) Kenya Educational Service Trips (KEST) www.k-e-s-t.com
DURATION: Two-week educational service trips, Four-week service projects
COST: approximately $2500 USD (airfare not included)
DETAILS: KEST customizes two-and four-week volunteer trips to the Nyumbani Children’s Home, Lea Toto programs and Nyumbani Village. Two-week trip participants interact with children, families and staff; perform small service projects; and learn about Kenya’s history, culture and wildlife through day trips to local markets, museums and villages. This trip ends with a 4 day/3 night safari excursion provided by Spurwing Travel. Four-week trip participants conduct a service project at the Nyumbani Village; for example, in 2009 KEST volunteers established two after-school programs and contributed to fieldwork efforts at the Village. Follow-up programs are scheduled for 2010! All KEST trips are customized to the interests and passions of volunteers, and dates are flexible according to traveler needs. For more information, travel dates and tentative calendars please visit www.k-e-s-t.com.
DATES: May-August
ENROLLMENT: Please contact Lloydie Zaiser directly at Lloydie@k-e-s-t.com
Website: www.k-e-s-t.com
B.Volunteer Programs
The main objective of the volunteer programs is to provide supplementary support to the staff with the aim of helping the children grow socially, intellectually, academically, spiritually and physically.
B1) Nyumbani Village Program
DURATION: Minimum of six weeks, maximum of six months
LOCATION: Nyumbani Village (Kitui is approximately three hours from Nairobi)
COST: $150 USD per month (room and two meals a day)
DUTIES: The Village is a new and growing project. The targeted population is 1000 children and 200 grandparents; therefore the variety of work that needs to be done is endless. There is a lot of manual labor which is performed by volunteers. Activities in the past have included building chicken coops, beekeeping, dairy farming, tree planting, crop planting and harvesting, etc. In addition to manual labor, assistance is usually needed in the school with organizing and supervising children's activities.
The growing nature of the village makes it impossible to predict what each volunteer's specified duties will be, therefore flexibility is needed on the part of volunteers to be able to adapt as the situation requires. Your professional experience might be of use to the village (so please include it on the Volunteer Interest Form) but volunteers are almost always engaged in performing daily physical labor activities in a hot climate. Nyumbani Village is located in a remote setting with limited electricity and basic living conditions.
DATES: Flexible (minimum 6 weeks)
TO APPLY: Please contact Donna Denelli-Hess and Deb Foss, Volunteer Program Recruiters, at volunteer@nyumbani.org to inquire about openings, obtain a Volunteer Interest Form (the initial application step) or for further information.
REQUIREMENTS: Prospective volunteers must be at least 21 years of age, in good health and be able to perform physical labor in a hot and remote area. Applicants also need to provide the following:
• current resume or CV
• proof of a recent (less than one year old) physical exam
• completed criminal background check (you can request an official copy through your local or state police or through www.integrascan.com)
• proof of health insurance coverage (if you do not have current coverage you can get quotes from www.insuremytrip.com)
• recommended vaccinations and medications (consult the CDC (www.cdc.org) or US State department websites or a local travel clinic.
B2) School Holiday Program
DURATION: Two Months
LOCATION: Nyumbani Children's Home (Nairobi, Kenya)
COST: $150 USD per month (room and two meals a day)
DUTIES: The program accepts volunteers to work with the children during their school break times. Volunteers teach and tutor primary school students in grades 1-8, coordinate activities such as sports, arts and crafts, library, dance and music and serve as chaperones on field trips.
Typically volunteers arrive two weeks prior to the school break and prepare lesson plans for their assigned grade (standard). While the children are still in school volunteers may assist with kitchen duties, gardening, cleaning or working in the pre-primary on-site school during the day. During the holiday program, classes are taught in the mornings and activities take place during the afternoon. The program runs Monday through Friday and unless there are special activities planned for weekend days, volunteers are off duty on Saturday and Sunday.
DATES: The School Holiday Program requires a two-month commitment
mid-March through mid-May (April program)
mid-July through mid-September (August program)
mid-November through mid-January (December program)
TO APPLY: Please contact Donna Denelli-Hess and Deb Foss, Volunteer Program Recruiters, at volunteer@nyumbani.org to inquire about openings, obtain a Volunteer Interest Form (the initial application step) or for further information.
REQUIREMENTS: Prospective volunteers must be at least 21 years of age and in good health. Applicants also need to provide the following:
• current resume or CV
• proof of a recent (less than one year old) physical exam
• completed criminal background check (you can request an official copy through your local or state police or through www.integrascan.com)
• proof of health insurance coverage (if you do not have current coverage you can get quotes from www.insuremytrip.com)
• recommended vaccinations and medications (consult the CDC (www.cdc.org) or US State department websites or a local travel clinic.
NOTE ON KENYAN VISAS:
Most volunteers get a three month tourist visa at the airport ($25 USD cash) when they arrive - this is the same visa that is issued by the Kenyan Embassy in most countries. It is important to remember that these visas can only be extended once, for three months, while in Kenya. After that, the visas expire and you must leave East Africa. While this is generally not an issue for the School Holiday Program volunteers, it may help you plan your time if you intend to be in Kenya beyond the two months at Nyumbani Children’s Home. (It is for this reason that volunteers are limited to a maximum of six months of service at Nyumbani Village). You must make an application in person at the Kenyan Immigration Department in Nairobi to extend your visa for a second three months. The cost of this is approximately $75 USD.
II. Structure of Nyumbani Village
Nyumbani Village is the most recent project of Nyumbani and is located near the remote village of Kitui. Many volunteers are needed to help the Village become a self-sustainable community. Volunteers must keep in mind that there is no electricity and limited running water in the Village. Volunteers typically work from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday with weekends off.
Accommodations
Volunteers live in houses located on the Village property. Each house contains 3-4 rooms, each volunteer has their own room (provided space is available) with a twin bed. You are required to bring your own linens and a towel. Each room has a bathroom with a pit toilet. When running water is available there is a tap located outside of the house which can be used for bathing, washing clothes, etc (but not drinking).
Role Models
Nyumbani Village volunteers are role models for our children. Therefore, we expect their behaviour to reflect the morals and values that are taught to our children.
Meals
All meals are prepared for the staff and volunteers in the area next to the kitchen. There is limited opportunity to purchase food at local vendors as transportation is very limited and the nearest town is about a three hour walk from the Village. There are also no cooking facilities located in the volunteer cottages. Volunteers must also purchase drinking water before heading up to the Village as there is no suitable drinking water. Volunteers will have the opportunity to purchase any food, water, or supplies in Karen (where Nyumbani Children's Home is located) before they are transported to the Village.
Laundry
Volunteers can hand-wash their clothes over the designated washing stations. Volunteers will need to purchase their own laundry detergent before arriving at the Village.
Transport
Transport to and from any of the towns near the Village is very limited. At times volunteers may ride along with drivers who are running errands but this would need to be arranged with Nicholas Syano, the village manager. Volunteers who may want to travel to Nairobi or to visit Nyumbani Children's Home will have to arrange this in advance.
Trips
Trips should be planned before you arrive for your time of service or after you leave but not during your service period. There is an excellent tour company Spurwing Travel and Tour Ltd located next door to Nyumbani that operates safaris (www.spurwingkenya.com).
Medical Care
Volunteers are provided with the medical care available here at Nyumbani Village. If you are feeling ill, need a blood sample, or just need to speak to a nurse one can be found at the sick room.
Malaria
Malaria is a major concern when working at the Village so all precautions must be taken. You should consult with your doctor about which malaria medication is best suited for you. You must bring a mosquito net and repellant in order to minimize your chances of contracting malaria. If all precautions are taken, contracting malaria should not be a major issue. However, malaria is a serious disease and if you are experiencing symptoms see a nurse and get a blood test performed immediately.
Communication
There is no access to computers or email at the Village and the best way to stay in touch with others is to purchase a cell phone. Cell phones are available for purchase at the local supermarket or at other vendors in Karen for a very reasonable price. Volunteers that stay at Nyumbani for longer periods of time find that having a cell phone is very convenient for keeping in touch or making local calls. International calls on a cell phone range from 25 Ksh to 40 Ksh a minute. Cell phones range from as low as $30USD and minutes can be purchased from various vendors. You can mail letters at the post office but it is very expensive to mail or receive packages
Visas
Please refer to the Visa section under Nyumbani Children's Home
III. The Structure of Nyumbani Children's Home
Nyumbani is a hospice for HIV positive orphaned children and was founded by Father Angelo D'Agostino in 1992. It has a permanent staff of house parents, teachers, social workers, kitchen staff, domestic staff, administration and nurses. Nyumbani has been built as a model "village" to allow the children a sense of family life. The children live in duplex cottages of roughly 14 children, each with a resident houseparent. Within the compound there is a school, a garden (shamba), a play area, nursing/sick room, social work office, laboratory, convent, kitchen, volunteers quarters and a small cemetery. The laboratory not only caters to the needs of the children in residence but assists in running tests for outside medical centers and organizations. In 1998 a bore hole was completed insuring a constant supply of potable water.
Nyumbani Children's Home is located in Karen, a suburb of Nairobi. The home is located in a beautiful compound and is surrounded by an upper class neighbourhood. Karen shopping centre is a 15 to 20 minute walk (or 2 minute drive) from Nyumbani and contains a variety of retail stores, a post office, chemist, restaurants, and a large supermarket. This supermarket contains food, kitchenware, books, electronics etc.
Each cottage has a house parent. This is usually a "mum", except in cottages A/B, which is where the adolescent boys live. Here the house parent is an "uncle". The house parent is responsible for the care of the children while they are in the cottage. Volunteers work closely with the house parents. Please respect their wishes and intentions as you would respect those of a child's natural parent. Check with the house parents for suggestions on ways to spend quality time with the children and for permission to take the children on trips.
Meals
Food is provided for the staff and volunteers in the area next to the kitchen. However, cooking facilities, a fridge, gas burners, and a sink along with kitchenware are provided in your rooms. If you wish you can purchase your own food in Karen and prepare it for yourself in your own room.
Water from the taps comes from an underground-river via the borehole and is regularly checked by the laboratory here. It is drinkable- even for foreign tummies! If you prefer, you can also purchase bottled water from the supermarket in Karen.
Accommodations
Volunteers are housed in the Noel House, a complex with 8 separate suites located directly behind the children's cottages. Each room houses 2-3 volunteers, each volunteer has a twin bed. You are required to bring your own linens, and a towel. Each room has a bathroom with a flush toilet, sink and shower. There is also a small kitchen in each room with a fridge, sink and gas burner so that volunteers may prepare their own meals if they prefer. Volunteers are asked not to tape, pin, or paste anything to the walls in the rooms because paint damage has occurred in the past.
Checking In and Out
Volunteers are asked to report to receptionist at the front desk when ever they are going out so that we know where you are in case you are needed or someone tries to contact you. A good rule to follow is to avoid being out after dark. If you must be out after dark do not go alone or walk in the dark. Use our recommended taxi services.
Role Models
Nyumbani volunteers are role models for our children. Therefore, we expect their behaviour to reflect the morals and values that are taught to our children.
Smoking
No smoking is permitted on the Nyumbani grounds.
Laundry
The laundry staff will wash volunteer clothes provided the volunteers bring their own soap which can be easily purchased in Karen. Volunteers are assigned laundry days – once a week. It is requested that volunteers hang their clothes on the washing line provided on the upper floor of Noel House. Hand washing can of course be done in your rooms.
Transport
Volunteers are expected to use public transport such as matatus and cabs. You may find however that you can tag along if the driver happens to be going into Nairobi/ Karen etc.
Matatus have become increasingly safer and more reliable since seat belts and speed governors were made mandatory by the government in early 2004. One can get almost anywhere in Kenya by matatu and prices are reasonable. A fare to town is 40Ksh.
If you have money to burn or are in a hurry you can use a taxi. They tend to be more expensive than other public transport. A taxi to Karen costs 150Ksh and a fare to town is 1000Ksh.
Trips
Trips can be planned before or after your time of service but NOT during your service period.
Medical Care
Volunteers are provided with the medical care available here at Nyumbani. If you are feeling ill, need a blood sample, or just need to speak to a nurse one can be found in the sick room. If the nurse is not there, check with the receptionist.
Malaria
Malaria is not a considered a huge risk at Nyumbani Children's Home and many volunteers decide not to take malaria medication. However, there is a possibility that one may contract malaria and volunteers may decide to take precautions by taking malaria medication. Please check with your doctor about the various malaria medications that are available. In the past one volunteer died while at Nyumbani because of malaria related complications. This is a serious disease and if you are experiencing symptoms get tested in our laboratory immediately. Mosquito nets are available but it is recommended that you bring mosquito repellant with you. **Malaria medication is necessary if you plan to travel to Kitui, Mombasa, or to any of the other cities located on the coast of Kenya. It is also recommended that you take precautions if you plan to go on safari trips.
Communication
E-mail: There is a computer lab located at Nyumbani Children's Home and volunteers have easy access to a computer and the internet. At times the power may be down or the internet may cut out but overall daily internet access is available.
Post: Can be sent to NYUMBANI CHILDREN'S HOME, PO BOX 24970, KAREN 00502, NAIROBI, KENYA. The time taken for post to arrive varies on destination/origin and on the sometimes unreliable Kenyan postal service. It is recommended that packages sent to Nyumbani be placed in bubble envelopes rather than boxes since in Kenya recipients of a package pay a fee on all boxes they receive. The nearest postal office is located in the town of Karen.
Cell phones:
Cell phones are available for purchase at the local supermarket or at other vendors in Karen for a very reasonable price. Volunteers that stay at Nyumbani for longer periods of time find that having a cell phone is very convenient for keeping in touch or making local calls. International calls on a cell phone range from 25 Ksh to 40 Ksh a minute. Cell phones range from as low as $30USD and minutes can be purchased from various vendors.
Visas (Very Important)
Most volunteers get a three month tourist visa costing $25 USD at the airport when they arrive. This same visa is also issued by the Kenyan embassies in most countries. It is important to remember that these visas can only be extended once, for three months, while in Kenya. After that, the visas expire and you must leave the country. For this reason, volunteers are not permitted to volunteer for longer than 6 months.
The Children
Many volunteers and even staff feel a need to indulge the children, or feel guilty chastising them for misbehaviour since they are orphans with HIV. These children are much like any other children and need consistency, discipline and boundaries, especially when one considers that now with anti-retro viral treatment they have much longer life expectancies and therefore need to grow up with the benefit of responsible parenting. The best people to ask in regards to what is appropriate are the mums, the uncles and the volunteer coordinator.
The Volunteer Coordinator
The volunteer coordinator has the overall responsibility of coordinating the volunteer program and acts as the liason between the management and volunteers. This includes scheduling and supervising all volunteer activities, chairing weekly volunteer meetings, attending management and staff meetings, organizing the school holiday programs, assessing departmental needs, approving volunteers, welcoming volunteers at the airport, arranging accommodations, orienting volunteers, preparing children’s birthday, Christmas and Easter celebrations and other activities as needed.
The volunteer coordinator is also here to be sure you have a fulfilling volunteer experience. Therefore, she is available to field all of you questions, comments and complaints. The current volunteer coordinator is Sister Julie Mulvihill, a Sister of St. Francis of Philadelphia.
Termination
The management may terminate your service if you: Harm a child in any way
• Do not respect the staff – especially the house parents
• Are absent from assigned duties
• Are willfully and consistently negligent in performing assigned duties
• Engage in unauthorized dealings with outsiders for personal interest, contrary to the interests of the home
• Repeat minor offences which relate to discipline
• Are found guilty of theft or misappropriate of any of the homes resources
• Smoking
• Intoxication and/or illegal drug use
• Role model in a way that is contrary to our moral beliefs and values
• Misconduct outside Nyumbani that would endanger your well-being and /or tarnish Nyumbani’s public image
Volunteers are a valuable asset and contribute a great deal to Nyumbani. They can make a tremendous impact on the lives of our children. The staff and children are very welcoming and enjoy spending time getting to know the volunteers. Nyumbani is not just an orphanage but a home to a large extended family. Most volunteers will find their time at Nyumbani incredibly fulfilling.
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