VOLUNTEER
4 FREE KENYA
Testimonials
Read what other volunteers have to say about their experience volunteering with Volunteer4Free Kenya:
Alexei, Australia
"Hey my name's Alexei and I'm a 22 year old volunteer from Australia who was with the program for about 6 weeks. Over that time I got to help teach English at multiple schools throughout Kenya. I had an absolutely amazing time teaching with the program, having worked previously as a preschool teacher back home I found the willingness to learn and eagerness with which the kids approached education at the slum schools amazing. The volunteer coordinators are extremely helpful even if you haven't taught before, and through working with them I was able to see parts of Kenya and areas that I never would've known of or been able to visit without their support.
In the short time I was with the program I could already see the children begin to improve their English and pick up what we taught them at an incredibly quick pace. The teaching is rewarding and challenging, as well as giving you an incredibly realistic experience of proper Kenyan life.
I couldn't recommend teaching with Volunteer4Free Kenya enough, as a teacher I had an amazing time, and as a tourist new to Africa I wouldn't have wanted to see the country any other way."
GIVE A DONATION
There are a number of ways for Volunteer4Free Kenya (V4FK) volunteers to help financially, though there are no obligations. All V4FK activities are hands-on, allowing individuals a lot of direct influence. This can be expressed via time, finance, material gifts, or a combination of the three.
Sam, USA
Kaitlyn, USA
Joyce, USA/South Korea
Francis, Belgium
Catterina, Italy
Anisha, Germany
"I spent 5 months with V4FK and had an amazing experience. I loved working with the children in the hospital and in both of the slums. The children in the slums were full of energy and always excited to learn. It was so rewarding to be able to help a child who was struggling to read make it all of the way up to chapter books! The children in the hospital were always happy to have visitors and you really get to know them since you get to work one-on-one with them. Plus, it was always fun the walk into each ward, to be spotted by a child, and have him/her yell "shule (school)!" to all of the other children so they knew to come meet us for English and games.
The area the volunteer apartment is at is nice. I liked that I was living with other Kenyans and got to know all of the neighbors, who were all really kind. The coordinators were full of helpful tips and I always knew I could count on them if I was in trouble. I would recommend V4FK to anyone and hope one day to do it all over again. :)"
"Volunteer4Free Kenya is a very valuable, rewarding program led by caring and passionate program leaders. The program is structured around teaching children in the hospital to read English and playing with and supporting the children and older patients. I found teaching English very important to the future educations of the kids, and being there for patients going through tough and traumatic situations is incredibly rewarding. Seeing the kids run up to us and grab our hands when we enter the hall always brings a smile to my face and lets me know that we're doing something important. I would highly recommend Volunteer4Free Kenya to anyone who is traveling to Kenya."
"When considering options for volunteering, it's hard to come across an organization as dedicated and genuine as V4FK. Volunteering with V4FK has helped me realize the great aspects of simple volunteering without the unnecessary forms and lengthy process. Working at Kenyatta National Hospital has showed me the reality of a place in need of care and help, and I could not be happier with my time spent. I can say without hesitation that my experience with V4FK was worthwhile."
"I particularly liked the no-nonsense approach of V4FK, approaching schools and patients as they are, not enforcing anything, but offering a moment of enchantment through some books, cards, and games.
My volunteering was very short, too short in my view, but I will be back soon and take up some more work.
I have never taught before, nor volunteered, but from the very first minute it all seemed natural and fluid. Not in the least by the friendly V4FK group and staff, but also by the truly close encounters with all these wonderful children."
"Since it wasn't my first experience in Kenya, I was ready to see what was the reality there and what I would have faced in the slums but especially in Mathare. What emotioned me the most was the hospital. After the first day I wasn't sure if I wanted to go back, but at the end I realized that the kids there were the ones who needed most our help so I kept coming and I'm glad I did and it was amazing to be with them. I really want to thank Jay and Leo for the great opportunity they gave me. It was unique and for this I'm organizing myself to go back next year!! :)"
"V4FK is the perfect opportunity for everyone who visits Nairobi! These guys are amiable and fun and they give you the chance to see places you would never see without them. Their teaching system is easy to understand and execute for everyone and you can literally watch the kids progress every minute. Even though I volunteered in Kenya for 5 months in another slum project I gained a lot of experiences by joining V4FK a couple of times both in the Soweto slum school and the hospital and I am very thankful for that."
"This program offers wonderful opportunities to become immersed in Kenyan culture and everyday life while working to make a positive impact for others. Definitely would recommend for anyone with a heart for service who may otherwise shy away from alternative programs as a result of high program fees."
-- Nate, USA
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"I spent a month in Nairobi volunteering with V4FK and it was a beautiful experience. I loved spending time with the children both in the hospital and in Soweto. The atmosphere was very friendly and supportive. I am bringing a lot of good memories back home with me."
-- Chiara, Italy
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"During my volunteer experience, I got the opportunity to touch the lives of strangers, even if it was short term... It was well worth the time, love, and enthusiasm. Meeting so many strangers who are willing to let you into their lives... speaks volumes about the capacity of volunteers and the ability to create change through genuine, untarnished motives... Far too often in 3rd world countries... the under-resourced feel like we are the heroes... but the kids were my heroes."
-- Katrina, USA
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"I did a fair amount of research before I decided to volunteer with V4FK in order to make sure I will make the most out of my volunteer experience. Out of several agencies that I contacted, V4FK was the quickest to respond, most consistent and supportive, which was why I decided to go with them. At the end, I'm very glad I volunteered for their program.
I felt that the hospital program was a very good entry step into my volunteer experience in Africa. What you do at the hospital (teaching the kids English & playing with them) is not challenging or demanding yet fun and rewarding. It always brought me to smile when I saw the group of children welcoming us in the hallway.
What I think is important to consider is all the inconvenience you might encounter here if you're coming from a developed country. For example, would you be okay with occasional water/electricity cut? Would you be okay taking a crowded bus? Depending on where you stay, you might not have a fridge or microwave. Things that you have in your country could be very costly in Kenya. But for this, I can assure that V4FK staff will do their best to help you out. All the staff were very helpful and always made sure that I was comfortable staying/volunteering in Nairobi.
I hope you will enjoy the program as much as I did. :)"
-- Madoka, Japan
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"For all of you budding volunteers, who want to spend more time helping others and less time worrying about paperwork, administration and heavy payments, you have come to the right place.... I first emailed Volunteer4Free Kenya out of the blue whilst in Nairobi on holiday. I knew I was only going to be in town for a week and I wanted to make the best use of my time there. Immediately a coordinator connected me and a day later I was at Kenyatta National Hospital helping with two other long(ish) term volunteers.
I imagined that this was the sort of opportunity that only came with months of preparation and a large wedge of my bank balance, but Volunteer4Free Kenya has proved that just my willingness to be there in person and offer my time and English speaking abilities was worth far more value than I gave myself credit for. During my time at KNH I met some really inspiring children who were as interested in me as I was in them, children who had a passion to learn and really needed a brief break from their routine day on the ward. I would have really loved to experience teaching in the slum but officially school was out for the month so now I have another reason to plan my next visit to Kenya.
Whether you are at home thinking about helping or on your way through Kenya from elsewhere, I would highly suggest that you make a concerted effort to email Volunteer4Free Kenya and practice being selfless, even just for a day. I will admit that the conditions in the hospital will make you want to hide every last child in your backpack and whisk them somewhere more safe and happy, but as it's just not possible, the best you can do as a human being is to ask how can I help you today and where can I make just a small but positive impact."
-- Emily, UK
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"V4FK is a program that is doing a lot of good in parts of Nairobi that are often overlooked by volunteer programs. Everyone we have met through the program has been really nice, including the children that we have been working with. It has also been a great way to explore Nairobi and meet new people!"
-- Georgia & Ross, UK
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"Really friendly and lovely people: simple and sincere. From my point of view nothing to say... wonderful and amazing experience. Thanks a lot."
-- Luca, Italy
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"A lovely heart experience. Young and creative people... so friendly and open..."
-- Pamela, Italy
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"Hi,
I am Gideon currently on my third year of study at the University of Nairobi. I came to learn about the volunteer program through the net and contacted the director for a placement, and luckily I was successful.
It has been a joyfully blessed experience for the couple of times I have shared with the children and old people at Kenyatta Hospital. Truly they desire the attention and that feeling of being cared for... I also got to meet a group of other volunteers from abroad and it was interesting sharing our varied cultures.
One thing I am sure of is that I couldn't have spent my vacation any better... keep up the worthy cause V4FK."
-- Gideon, Kenya
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"This is my very first time volunteering abroad. I enjoyed every moment of it. It's a great chance to understand the culture and situation in Kenya. Teaching the kids in the slum and the hospital was such a heart-warming experience that I will never forget. This experience also inspires me to look for more volunteering opportunities abroad in the future."
-- Priscilla, UK
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"All in all, I was able to gain impressive, marked learning experience in the hospital and also in Kibera with the children. Although my impressions were not that deep after only 2 days, I found it still important to become (more) aware of the poverty and the need as well as of the living conditions of the patients and children. It's no news that there is extreme poverty existing in other parts of the world but what this exactly means to be poor and helpless can't be really expressed or shown on TV or any media. Only with the awareness of how much those people depend on the help of third parties, something can be moved since this is the first impetus for a change."
-- Medelyn, Germany
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"Volunteering in Nairobi is a very rewarding, yet a bit shocking experience. Reading about the biggest city between Johannesburg and Cairo doesn't really prepare you to what you'll see upon arrival as there's a lot of work to be done there and education is the key - I was a bit skeptical about the teaching programme at first, but seeing some of the children progressing after just two weeks changed my mind rapidly.
Visiting adult patients is a different thing completely - just a few words shared with them makes them see that they are not alone there. And you can see making the difference on the fly."
-- Mat, Poland
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"It's been a lifetime experience to volunteer in Kenya, opening eyes on problems and needs of Africa. V4FK staff gave me great support... you cannot get this amazing feeling of making some hospital children smile like you can through this program. Most recommended!"
-- Anna, UK/Poland
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"We really enjoyed the time with you in Nairobi and we are very happy that we could visit your project in the slum and the hospital. It was a great experience for us and we wish we could stay for longer. You guys do a good job and we really respect your work. We will never forget the time and the people here and hope that we could come back soon."
-- Katharina and Tabea, Germany