Kenya Volunteer Teaching Positions

Action for Children in Conflict (AfCiC) have exciting new teaching opportunities that offer international volunteers the chance to have a real hands on experience working directly with street and other vulnerable children in Thika, Kenya

We are looking for enthusiastic qualified teachers to teach either at our Interim Care Centre for street children or one of our local partner primary schools.

You would be involved in teaching English and other Kenyan Curriculum subjects, such as maths and science and improving basic literacy. You would also have the opportunity to set up extra curricular activities such as arts and crafts, music and drama depending on interest and experience. If you have a special interest in teaching children with special needs, this can also be arranged. Your teaching experience can be tailored according to your personal preferences.

During your placement you can chose to live, either at our Interim Care Centre which would give you the ultimate Kenyan experience -living and working with local staff and children or at the AfCiC house with other international volunteers (maximum of 3).

The Interim Care Centre (ICC) in Thika, Kenya provides intensive rehabilitation for street children in a residential setting. The ICC is for children who find it especially hard to break from the street or whose family situations require in-depth intervention to make the home environment a safe place for the child. There, during residential care for up to six months, intensive rehabilitation and family reintegration work prepares the way for a return home. Staff members liaise with families, local institutions, schools and support organisations to facilitate each child's return to society.

By living in our Interim Care Centre (ICC), volunteers are given the unique opportunity to fully intergrate with the children and staff whilst gaining an invaluable insight into the work of a small NGO.

Alternatively, if you prefer a level of privacy and home conforts then the volunteer house is for you.


When can I volunteer as a teacher?

You can volunteer at any time at the Centre. We ask that volunteers commit to a minimum of a 2 week placement but we are happy to accomodate you for up to 6 months. Please mention on your application form how long you wish to stay. We only accommodate two volunteers at the Centre at any time to prevent any "group effect" from occurring and maximise group immersion.


Where is Action for Children in Conflict based?

Thika town is about 40 km north of Nairobi. This is where Action for Children in Conflict runs its street child prevention and rehabilitation projects.

Both the Interim Care Centre and Volunteer House are located in the Town Centre. Thika is a modern, busy town with lots of local amenities, including bars, restaurants, supermarkets, a gym and internet cafes.


What does a typical day at the Centre consist of?

A typical day at the Centre consists of a Non-formal education timetable with lessons covering basic literacy and numeracy and other Kenyan National Curriculum subjects, alongside lifeskills lessons and counselling. Food is provided daily at lunchtime for all children and volunteers In the afternoons there is usually arts and crafts (to improve concentration, patience and coordination skills) followed by sports/ games. During the evening you will eat dinner and help children on a one to one basis with literacy skills or have free time to explore Thika and socialise with other volunteers or new found friends!

A typical day at a local primary school consists of teaching English and other Kenyan National Curriculum subjects and also assisting with extra curricular activieties such as sports/art/drama and music. A traditional Kenyan lunch is provided for all children and volunteers. You would also be able to assist with indivudual tuition out our Interim Care Centre in the evenings if you wish.


What will volunteers do?

Your role could include

-Teaching English/ Maths/ Science
-Teaching children with special needs
-Teaching non-formal education lessons
-Assisting with other classroom activities
-Individual tuition
-Setting up extra curricular activities of your interest in partnership with the local staff and volunteers such as music, drama, art, sport etc.
-Encouraging new ways of learning through creative instruction
-Working together with our existing local teacher to improve all round education and literacy.


Who are the volunteers?

All teaching volunteers require a qualification and at least one year's of teaching experience. Experience of teaching overseas or with children who do not speak english as their first language would be an advantage, as would an interest/skills in sports, music, drama or arts and crafts.

Teaching volunteers also need a positive and flexible attitude, a willingness to learn and have fun.

Volunteers must be non smokers and over 21 years of age and fully CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) vetted.

If you choose to live at the centre you must be prepared for full integration into our centre work and to accept the demands and the responsibilities this entails.

All volunteers must be happy to work off their own initiative.


Are any particular skills required?

You will need to have a Primary certificate or a PGCE and some experience of teaching. A TEFL qualification is optional but advantageous.

We are looking for people who are outgoing and friendly with a good sense of fun who will be able to fully immerse themselves into the daily life at the Centre or one of the schools. It is important that you are independant and able to work off your own initiative. Skills in music, dance, drama, sports and arts and crafts are also very beneficial but again not essential. An enthusiastic, friendly and positive mentality are a must!


Who is responsible for volunteers whilst they are in Kenya?

Our Kenyan Director Eleanor Harrison resides in Kenya and supervises and leads all our programme activities. We also have locally employed staff members who are extremely reliable and trustworthy. You will be supervised on a day-to-day basis by Josephine, our Interim Care Centre Manager or one of the headmasters at the local schools.

The staff, volunteers and children are very friendly and you will be warmly welcomed. You will be working along side the local staff at all times and they will be happy to offer support and advice.


What is the accomodation like?

If you choose to stay at the Interim Care Centre in Thika you will have the opportunity to have an indepth knowledge of our work and really befriend the children we work with. Accommodation is clean and secure. You will be staying in a separate lockable room to the children and have use of the staff toilet and shower. The centre has clean pit latrine toliets, electricity and running water. All meals will be provided at the Centre but you can also eat your evening meal out if you wish.

If you decide to stay at the AfCiC house in Thika you will live with up to 3 other international volunteers. You are likely to have your own room but may have to share on occasion.The house is in a nice area and has all basic amentities, including electricity and hot water and kitchen facilities.


What is there to do at weekends/evenings?

Thika has a number of bars and clubs where people go to drink, eat roasted goat and dance. They are different from the Western style places in Nairobi and give you a chance to see real Africa. The locals are very friendly and enjoy meeting people from other places. You can easily arrange trips to local places of interest at the weekends. Nairobi has many tourist attractions e.g giraffe centre, baby elephant santuary, as well as bars and clubs. You will have two days off per week.

Whilst residing and working at the centre we ask you to remember that you are a role to the children and therefore must behave appropriately, for example excessive consumption of alcohol is inappropriate.


Is it possible to travel after volunteering?

Yes. With prior notice we can help you arrange a safari or a trip to the Coast or other interesting areas.


How much does it cost?

If you are choosing to stay at our Interim Care Centre, we are asking each volunteer to raise at least £275 per month (includes accommodation and meal costs) to stay at the Centre as well as paying for his/her own airfare, insurance (personal and medical), and other in-country expenses. Your contribution will go directly into providing teaching materials and activities for the children and also fund their lunchtime meals promtoting more positive learning.

If you choose to stay at the house, we ask all volunteers to raise a minimum project contribution of £600 for stays of three months and £800 for stays of six months. The volunteer is involved in directly spending this money with the staff at the centre to maximise the benefit for the street children. This might include funding workshops, parental training sessions, educational trips for the children etc.. This does not include rent for accommodation which is £65 per month. You pay for your own airfare, insurance and other in country expenses.


When do I need to pay?

The Project Contribution needs to be paid a month before coming to volunteer with us. For those staying at the Centre this will be non-refundable as it will be used to run the our teaching programmes directly. If you pay the contribution through our UK office we kindly ask if you can gift aid the payment to further benefit our children's work. If we are arranging flights, insurance and other items these will need to be paid as bookings are made.


How do I apply?

Please email kenya@actionchildren.org or info@actionchildren.org for an application form.


What is the best way of fundraising?

We have a volunteer fundraising pack which will be sent to you, and includes a variety of ideas from organising fundraiser events to writing official funding requests. We will offer you all the support we can give, and can provide you with headed paper, leaflets, posters, information on our programmes, maps and photos.

Former volunteers have successfully raised money through a variety of means including sponsored sporting events, appealing on local radio, organising coffee mornings or African Awareness Days, asking for small contributions from friends, families and local community groups, and lots more…


How do I prepare for the trip?

Following acceptance on the volunteering programme, we will send you an induction pack with detailed information on what to take, visas, vaccinations etc. We will also provide you with information on safety measures.

We hope to hear from you soon and to welcome you to our AfCiC Family!