UCESCO Africa

I always had a desire to travel to Kenya and volunteer . It was such a powerful experience and one I will never forget. Helping out in Peggy Lucas to painting ,playing sport ,dancing and loads of hugs and smiles . I couldn't have asked for a better experience.

It started slow which was frustrating, especially as I was not aware I was taking part in a start up project. It would have been nice to have been informed prior to my arrival, which would have prevented unnecessary negative emotions. I understand things work at a slower pace and there are no guarantees, however I appreciate good communication and honesty as I am flexible and patient, but similar to other westerners, I dislike not knowing what is going on. We are used to a faster way of life and quicker results. Regardless of this, I had an amazing time! Many valuable lessons have been learned and I return back to Scotland with a heart filled with gratitude and love. The supportive staff always made me feel so welcome, safe and comfortable. Thank you Carine in Nairobi for organising my Sim on arrival, Ofright in Mombasa and Elpina for being sweet enough to stay with me on my first night in Makupa and always cooking me lovely food. Thank you Kingsley for listening with patience and understanding to my above concerns. You truly are such an inspiration! There was plenty of free time before/after work to chill. Weekends were for exploring the beaches/resorts of Nyali with swimming pools, (nearest, 20 mins via tuk tuk) and of course safari which was an unforgettable experience! Highly recommend Steve & Richard’s Safari for a good deal. The Kenyan children are super sweet, the teenagers are eager to learn, and the vulnerable women although challenging, are the reason I love doing what I do! We can’t ever give up on them, they need your help! So, Mombasa this is just the beginning! Please keep practicing yoga and breathe. I’m excited to see how things progress in Mombasa, and to see the new rooftop yoga platform, being put to good use. For any volunteer thinking about going to Mombasa, I’m happy to answer any queries and share my recommendations and tips.

UCESCO Africa is an awesome organization. Each and every volunteer, staff member, and teacher assisted and made the experience very enjoyable and safe. The children I taught were enthusiastic, joyful and compassionate. The learning was made easy, by their ability to adhere to instructions and to comprehend the information being taught. I will definitely go again to teach more because the students have the capacity to do great things within this realm.