Assist on education projects for impoverished children in Mombasa’s slums

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Volunteers with Students at Mombasa Beach

Volunteers and Community Members at the Beach

Volunteer with Their Appreciation Certificates

Program Overview
Life on the Program
Program Details
Volunteer Testimonials

Program Overview

This project brings you to the vibrant coastal city of Mombasa, East Africa and the Bombolulu slum where impoverished communities live next to the upmarket residences of Nyali.

Work at a children’s centre to provide education to vulnerable children and help improve literacy levels as well as environmental and social awareness. The centres provide free or affordable education to children who are orphaned or whose families have little or no income. Out of school arts and sports programs help combat social pressures that lead to substance abuse and crime.

During your time in Kenya, you may have the opportunity to take the kids on day trips, learn Swahili, go on safari, explore Mombasa and its beautiful beaches, and learn how grass-roots organisations offer real opportunities and care for needy children.

Life on the Program

Mornings are typically spent assisting with literacy and numeracy education at the children’s centres. You usually start off shadowing a local teacher or longer term volunteer and support them before taking over your own classes when you are comfortable with the work.

Afternoons involve one–to-one reading lessons with students who are falling behind, followed by sports or physical activities. After work our group heads back home to prepare tomorrow’s lessons. This is a social activity with volunteers and staff working creatively together to make the lessons as fun and interactive as possible with the limited resources available.

You will live in shared accommodation with a team of international volunteers and you all share domestic duties. Weekends are free for you to explore and enjoy the local area.

Program Details

GVI assist the children’s centres by planning and providing:

Literacy and numeracy tuition
One-on-one reading lessons
Sports and exercise programs
Educational games and activities
Lesson plans and resource preparation

The children’s centres wish to develop arts, music, drama, sports and environment programs to encourage social development and stem the temptation to engage in crime or substance abuse. The centres also recognise that developing one to one relationships with the children and providing counselling provides them with the security and confidence to excel in education which remains their only route out of poverty.

Volunteer Testimonials

I spent a total of four weeks volunteering on two separate projects in Kenya; two weeks in Shimoni doing wildlife surveys followed by two weeks teaching primary school in Mombasa. It was a truly...

Matthew Sherman, Australia

I spent a total of four weeks volunteering on two separate projects in Kenya; two weeks in Shimoni doing wildlife surveys followed by two weeks teaching primary school in Mombasa. It was a truly memorable experience, allowing me to see a totally different world while at the same time providing me with the opportunity to make a small but valuable contribution.

Working daily in the Shimoni forest for two weeks was incredible; a must for lovers of nature and the great outdoors. I can say without a doubt that the work GVI is doing in Shimoni - in partnership with the local organisations - is truly important for the preservation of the forests unique biodiversity. The residents of Shimoni are also unfailingly kind and friendly, making for a great place to spend a couple of weeks.

Teaching at Olive's and Precious in Mombasa offered similarly unique and enjoyable experiences. Managing a huge class (45!) of 12 year-olds was certainly a challenge - even for two teachers - but the students were genuinely interested in learning and lots of fun. Again, the contribution being made by GVI to both the facilities and the curriculum at these schools cannot be overstated.

All-in-all it was an awesome experience; and I can't wait to do it all again!

I felt confident teaching from the training and being able to observe the actual teachers beforehand. Having another volunteer with you really helped the lessons as there was less chance of ideas...

Kieran Aldred, United Kingdom

I felt confident teaching from the training and being able to observe the actual teachers beforehand. Having another volunteer with you really helped the lessons as there was less chance of ideas running out or being overwhelmed by the children needing help. Trips to Mombasa Old Town, Diani and Malindi were wonderful. I felt safe and secure thanks to the staff who were always friendly, chatty and helpful. A GVI project gives you more of an experience than a holiday, and you feel as though you're contributing positively to the community rather than just observing it as an outsider.

Knowing that I helped kids in need was a great satisfaction and I enjoyed the whole experience from day one. Since coming home I have really changed...my prospects have changed and I think I have...

Susan Gilbert, United Kingdom

Knowing that I helped kids in need was a great satisfaction and I enjoyed the whole experience from day one. Since coming home I have really changed...my prospects have changed and I think I have actually become a different person! The kids really changed my views on life and I think really seeing what goes on in places like that opened my eyes and has really inspired me to help more people out there. I now want to see more of the world and do more volunteer work.