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Feedback from Kenya Volunteers

Here are some of the emails we have received from volunteers about their experiences in Kenya.

"I volunteered at Cherlys children orphanage for 1 month. My program was very good and interesting. The kids are so sweet and I was also teaching some of their classes in the orphanage and the life is so challenging to Kenyan. I made Kenya my home away from home where I learnt different interesting cultural life. During my program I discovered another life in the world which is very friendly and how precious the life is. My host family (Mugane's) was very appreciating. I never regret for my trip to Kenya."

Christine

"My initiation into my work in Kenya on the HIV/AIDS program was an extreme culture shock. I am studying International Health and my words regarding the extent of the problem in Kenya seem like rhetoric now that I have experienced the devastation first hand. On my first day I walked the streets of Dagoretti, a slum area, with the home based care team visiting clients who are too sick to visit the clinic. The majority are women who have been infected by their husbands. The slum is overwhelming, rubbish piled high, mud one day and dust the next, no running water and children playing in dirty water. However, there is a sense of hope generated from the staff and the community workers, their hearts are so 'big' and they care deeply about their follow Kenyans."

Joy

"I am writing to you to let you know about my recent trip to Kenya. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Kenya - it is a beautiful and wonderful country and the people were among the nicest I have met in my life. I was made to feel home away from home and my host family in Nairobi were so welcoming and appreciating. I feel privileged to have been taking my program to Children orphanage project which I think it was worthwhile and I would like to wish you every success with it in the future. Irene was a wonderful coordinator, who did her utmost, and often went well beyond the call of her duty for volunteers. I hope sometime in the future to return to Kenya, as I feel that I have made some life long and great friends there and I have greatly benefited from the time I spent there."

Catherine

"I had a great experience in Kenya. I was very scared leaving home which is my comfort zone and now I have no regrets for my adventure in Kenya. I came across so many things which have helped me grow mentally and emotionally. I have experienced a different culture which I have come to love. I truly suggest anyone who has ever thought about seeing and experiencing new things to take the leap of faith and come to Africa. This is a trip of a lifetime that I will never forget. Most people in Kenya made this trip a pleasure to my life. I have never experienced some things and what I experienced it taught me a lot. Everybody who crosses your path is very welcoming and friendly. Living with host families have really given me the inside look of how life really is and all the hardships that come with life. I have discovered another life and I have seen how precious the life is. Most of us in the western world have been taking life for granted but if you take a trip to Kenya you will really appreciate life."

Laura

"My experience in Kenya has been unlike any other in my lifetime. I have discovered more than I ever thought about Kenyan culture, food, history, lifestyle, geography and adventure. I have gone from emotions of anxious to discovery, from sadness to happiness. I have truly been able to fix myself in another culture and social life. Kenyans are the most generous and friendly people I have ever met on the face of earth. This has been an eye opening experience that I know I will never forget. I feel privileged to have had the chance to participate in such a program."

Lisa

It is impressive to realize the potential GVN has to effect positive change. By bringing in people like me from various areas of the world, you are able to raise consciousness, and we can all return home and the "ripple effect" is put into play. I sent a donation yesterday for Terry Support Home via Courtney Montague; I plan to do some public speaking which will raise more monies to help the orphanage in Machakos. Obviously, this scenario plays out everywhere. And then there is the positive financial effect for those associated with the safaris, the drivers, the host families, etc. You hold more potential than perhaps you can even imagine! I wish you all much success at GVN.

Sincerely,
Marilyn Lane

Become actively involved in the community in which you live. I found living in a homestay was a great experience and challenge. Try and learn words from the language of your country / area as it makes communication a little easier with those who are not at your homestay location. Be prepared to accept those things that are completely foreign to you - cultural norms, behaviours and other protocols that are important to that community. I found that these people showed me more about what was important about life and I am grateful to have met such an incredibly friendly community. Get out and meet / make friends and keep in contact with them whilst you are there and after you leave. What an awesome experience it will be for you.

Dom White