Description

Background: The Girls school is located in Kenya's Rift Valley Province and serves as a rescue center for girls who are in danger of being forced to undergo FGM and early marriage. Out of the 700 or so girls attending the school, about 70 of them were rescued from FGM, early marriages, severe poverty, and sexual abuse.

Protestant missionaries from the African Inland Church founded the school in 1959; however, they no longer support the school. The idea was that the Maasai could leave their daughters behind for schooling, while the rest of the family followed their cattle to fresh grazing lands. The school is now financed through fees from parents who are financially able and grants from outside resources.

Major Objective: To inspire and support the girls at the School.

Responsibilities: As a volunteer, you will be an assistant caretaker for the 70 or so girls who remain at the facility during school breaks. You will be interacting and working with the girls on a daily basis, helping them with such courses as cookery, embroidery, and bead-work, from which they are able to earn some income for their personal effects. Moreover, you will act as a counselor and supporting partner for the girls, as they strive to pull through their traumatizing experiences and live a normal life. Once at the school, you can also assist in the girls 'speak out club', whereby they compose poems, songs, and plays that are geared towards creating awareness on early marriage, stopping FGM, and the importance of educating girls.

Highlights

This opportunity offers the volunteer an opportunity to interact, work, and inspire traumatized girls, teaching them skills and providing support to make a difference in their lives, as well as yours.

Qualifications

This volunteer position is open to those who are interested in assisting young girls and teens, all of which have come from varying degrees of traumatizing situations.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 650 per month

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

- Application fee
- Application processing
- Volunteer information packet
- Volunteer orientation
- Airport pickup and drop off
- Accommodation in Nairobi
- Host family stay at your respective locations
- Home cooked traditional meals during your stay
- Local support at your volunteer locations
- Liaison to personal travels (I.e. Safari, Malindi, Mombasa and Beach, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Nature Reserves, Giraffe Sanctuary, etc)

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

18-65

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Group living
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of 4

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

1-2 weeks

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Kosmos Solutions International's Mission Statement

We are a people business and a product of a life-long desire to assist individuals in need. Our mission is to educate and empower impoverished individuals, by equipping them with the knowledge, understanding, skills, and tools necessary to develop a sustainable future. Through various educational and humanitarian initiatives, the KSI team has been addressing the important issues that hinder the prospects for sustainability and development in the disadvantaged regions of the world. With a unique blend of environmentally friendly, educationally based, and community directed projects, KSI is providing opportunities for people whose alternative circumstances have been weakened by the unfortunate struggles surrounding them. It is KSI's belief that through education and empowerment, sustainable opportunities can be provided for healthy community growth.

Year Founded

2009