Witness the evolution of this long-term teaching program for impoverished children in Mombasa’s Bombolulu slum

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Program Overview
Life on the Program
Program Details
Volunteer Testimonials

Program Overview

Spend your days in the awe-inspiring city of Mombasa while undergoing an eye-opening experience caring for disadvantaged orphan children.

You will work within the Bombolulu slum district of Mombasa where many children come from dysfunctional homes and battle hunger on a daily basis. Because of the impact of HIV/AIDS the children are often left abandoned, and fail to attend school or obtain a basic level of literacy.

Providing education, counselling and promoting environmental and social awareness of HIV/AIDS and drugs will be your main focus as you work alongside volunteer teachers at a children’s center. This long-term participation will allow the children a more continuous and supportive network, which will greatly aid in their overall development.

Life on the Program

Upon arrival you will undergo an orientation so you can familiarize yourself with the local area and get started on some training. During this time you will participate in teaching workshops, meet teachers and children and observe a lesson. To avoid rushing you into the process, you will begin by assisting other GVI volunteers and just get to know the children and teachers. In this way, you will adapt to the role at your own pace and in time plan and deliver joint lessons before a full class is turned completely over to you.

Your accommodation will be in a mixed-sex dormitory-style suburban house which will provide running water and electricity. You will share all cooking and cleaning duties with other volunteers.

During your time off and on weekends you can check out the local beaches, go on safari or just enjoy some quality rest and relaxation time in the local area of Mombasa.

Program Details

The essential focus for GVI is to utilize education to lift children out of their disadvantaged slums and work with our partners to send them in better directions for the future. Your main role will be to teach basic literacy and numeracy to the children, while also offering one-on-one reading lessons with those who find it a bit more difficult to keep up with the lessons.

Because your participation will be long-term, you will spend time contributing to the adult education classes within the community that focus on English and Mathematics.

After the end of each day you will plan your lesson for the following day, and you’ll find that GVI and its partners encourage creativity in the classroom as it makes lessons more enjoyable and interesting for the students.

The arts such as music and drama are currently in demand by the local staff and community, as well as sports and environment programs to dissuade youth from getting involved in criminal activity or substance abuse. By providing the one-on-one sessions children will increase their confidence to take their education to a further level, leading to a better profession.