Kenya: Nairobi volunteers

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MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT

ACTS Volunteers work alongside existing local, church based initiatives that are effectively reaching communities with a hands-on demonstration of Jesus’ love – offering a hand up, not a hand-out. The love, time and energy poured into these projects by ACTS Volunteers massively supports and contributes to the work the local teams are doing on the ground. We focus on walking together with our partners to ensure the projects are sustainable and effective long after the volunteers have left.

“where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom…” 2 Corinthians 3:17

Orphan care and HIV/AIDS outreach:
ACTS Volunteers assist the care-givers by helping with daily activities such as feeding and getting the little ones dressed as well as offering love and discipleship. Together we trust God to break the cycle of dependency and brokenness through these young lives... We are also involved in spiritual, emotional and physical counselling and problem solving for persons living with HIV/AIDS. In this program volunteers will have the opportunity to meet and pray with many courageous men and women pursuing a life in God.

Slum ministry:
Kibera is Africa’s largest slum and is one of the most poverty-afflicted and eye-opening sites on earth. Volunteers’ faith will be refined and challenged as we engage - with people living in these dire circumstances. Together with the community we aim to share Christ’s love and compassion.

Shared faith:
ACTS Volunteers impact Africa with Christ, and leave impacted by Christ in Africa. Volunteers are encouraged to participate in shared devotion times and to work through discipleship material – drawing near to God in a time and place where everything is new, trusting that his word and call to missions will be new and life-changing. The daily interaction with other followers in Christ is a wonderful context for growth, ministry and friendship.

Teaching Ministry:
ACTS volunteers help out in mainly pre-schools, working alongside the local teachers and assisting them. Seeing as the Kenyan teaching method is very repetitive and monotone (rote learning technique) and the children don’t learn to think much for themselves, it is a great help to work with the teachers to show them some new creative teaching methods that will give them more variety. Through this we aim to enrich the teaching programme and not change it.

Working with disabled women:
ACTS volunteers help out in a skills development boarding school for disabled women, who learn how to become independent and get training in sewing and knitting. Volunteers are there to encourage and show them basic life skills.

Teaching Gods word:
A big part of the volunteers’ role in our ACTS project is to share Gods love and teach more about Gods word. Many of our partners have never even owned their own bible and are so hungry to hear what God says to them in his word. We do encourage volunteers to prepare bible studies for various groups. This aspect is often identified as a major need.

Practical Outreach:
In many of these projects our volunteers also get involved practically, wherever help might be needed at that time, e.g. repainting a school, fixing fences, planting gardens, etc.

Project Notes

Seeing the volunteers become a well used and respected source of help is amazing. The project staff and local communities have welcomed them with open arms and have found much joy in the friendships developed. It is beautiful to see the bonds being built.

Many of the on the ground staff have commented how much their lives have been touched by various ACTS Volunteers in various ways and I know for sure this is the same for the volunteers. They walk away with changed hearts.

PROJECT ORIENTATION & SUPPORT

ACTS has a number of projects in Limuru and Nairobi that volunteers get involved in whist being in Kenya. They vary form schools through orphanages to HIV+ support groups as listed above.

Upon arrival at the ACTS accommodation in Limuru, you will receive a detailed briefing on basic cultural aspects of your working environment, as well as further information on the current status of the project and our other programme involvements in Kenya. You will also spend time with your coordinator familiarizing yourself with local surroundings, staff that you will be working with as well as the community centers at which you will be based. Throughout your stay at your placement in Limuru you will have the support and guidance of our project staff and coordinators. They are part of our greater ACTS support team, and will provide you with competent 24-hour field support and assistance.

To make the most of your time here with us we encourage each volunteer to choose two or three of the projects, to be able to focus more on the different aspects and needs of the individual programmes. The volunteer will get an orientation day, where all the projects will be shown to them. With the help of the coordinator, we will see in which projects your skills and abilities will be of best use and will set up your timetable together. For the rest of your time you will be investing into your chosen projects and will be going there daily. The only set day is Wednesday, where you will be driving to the slums of Nairobi, reaching out to women and children of a school and a HIV+ support group.

When working with a project it is very likely that you may be the only volunteer placed at that project. Although your coordinator will be available to brainstorm, support and direct you where necessary, much of your time will be spent directly working with the local project staff, who are very excited to learn and profit from your creative ideas and inputs. You will be doing your own lesson planning, preparation of bible studies or designing of a new look for one of the schools. Everyone according to their own strengths and abilities. So if you have any resources or books that could help you in your planning, this would be very helpful to bring along!

We as ACTS function as the facilitator, enabling you to get involved in these peoples lives and try to make your time here as impacting as possible. We are looking forward to working together with YOU!

ACCOMMODATION & MEALs

Accommodation
Our volunteer house is a comfortable and safe home shared with other volunteers and Acts staff during your time here. You may be required to share ablutions and bedroom with other volunteers of the same sex. All bedding is provided, so you will not need to bring a sleeping bag with you, unless you are thinking of doing a camping safari during your stay and an extra cover sometimes is useful in the colder months (May - September)..,All meals, laundry and transportation to and from your projects and tourist activities will be provided and organised by your volunteer co-ordinator. ACTS staff are also available to organize tourist activities, which will be at your own cost.

Meals
You will be provided with three meals a day. Breakfast is on a help-yourself basis and usually consists of cereals/porridge, toast, tea and coffee. Lunch is usually sandwiches, home-made pizzas etc. Lunches may be packed or may be local lunches at your placement. Dinner is the main meal. This usually consists of casseroles, pasta dishes, stews and stirfries, etc. We do cater for vegetarians. You will have a cook who will provide you with your daily meals. On weekends when you are not out on safari you will have to make your own meals with the available groceries in the house. Alternatively Brackenhurst is within walking distance and provides quality affordable meals or you can purchase a few extra treats on your weekly visit to the local supermarket. Please let us know before you depart for Africa of any food allergies or specific requirements. We do everything we can to provide for any dietary requirements, but we may have to ask you to bring some things with you if what you need is not available locally.

getting there

We will meet you at the airport! Fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, where you will be met by our project coordinator or a representative from ACTS Volunteers, who will transfer you to the project accommodation.

project costs includes

• Project Fee: this entails financing that goes directly back into the project that you are involved with. This project fee facilitates funding for items such as teaching materials, sports equipment, supplies, etc.
• Transfer from the nearest airport, bus or train station in Kenya to the project accommodation in Limuru
• Orientation and introductions to project work upon your arrival
• All daily transportation to and from the project
• Full board and lodging which includes 3 meals a day at your accommodation
• Assistance in your projects by ACTS volunteer co- coordinators. Full support from ACTS volunteer coordinators and the ministry with which you get involved throughout your time placement

project costs excludes

• Personal travel insurance for the duration of your placement (expected to include cover for repatriation)
• All items of a personal nature, such as curios, gifts, clothing (work and other)
• Email/Internet, telephone calls and soft drinks (internet available within walking distance)
• All visas for border crossings (on extra excursions)
• Any excursions over and above your planned itinerary in Kenya.
• Transport after hours and on weekends

day in the life of a volunteer...

Here is how a typical day in the life of a Limuru ACTS volunteer might take shape. Please note that your itineraries may differ from this, depending on your own experience/interests and the number of other volunteers on the placement at the same time.

This is merely to give an idea:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
• 7:00 – 8:30 Getting ready, morning devotions and breakfast
• 8:30 – 13:00 Pick up from ACTS house. 10 minute drive to Care for AIDS clinic in Karanjee (slum area near Limuru). 
• 13:00 – 14:00 Lunch at the ACTS house or packed lunch
• 14:00 – 16:30 Assist in Limuru orphanages
• 16:30 - 17:30 Bible study at children's centre
• Evenings as above. On Fridays or Saturdays you may also spend a night at the orphanage. The children love having volunteers for sleepovers, and it would be a great way to bond and form relationships with them. You could plan a movie night or activity evening. Wednesday
• 6:30 – 7:30 Getting ready, morning devotions and breakfast
• 7:30 Pick up from ACTS house and drive to a Nairobi slum area.
• 8:30 – 12:30 Slum ministry
• 12:30 – 13:30 Enjoy a local lunch in the slums!
• 13:30 – 15:30 Slum ministry
• 15:30 - Home Time You will be collected by your coordinator/driver and taken back to the volunteer house.
• Evenings are very sociable affairs. Generally, volunteers discuss their days amongst each other whilst having supper together at the ACTS house, and prepare for your project the next day. Often table tennis tournaments will keep you up until late!!

Weekends This is a time for you to relax and catch up on emails at Brackenhurst International Conference Centre (only 5 minutes from ACTS house). Weekends also provide great opportunities for you to see more of the beautiful country. You can also get involved in some projects that we only offer on weekends, like workshops on specific topics or bible studies at youth groups and children centers.

outside of ministry

African Adventure
ACTS Volunteers will have the opportunity to get away from project work to enjoy the many travel and adventure opportunities Kenya has to offer. Excursions include some of the finest African wildlife experiences, and achance to get out and enjoy God’s creation.

"The spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions. The nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we become."
- Henry Martyn, missionary to India and Persia