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matt.anderson09
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| Joined: | 23 Oct 2008 |
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| Posts: | 16 |
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Posted: 17 Apr 2009 10:38 am |
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Hey, was wondering if anybody was going to Kenya or thinking about going there??
I was there with rich (richieladdd@hotmail.com) and a few other guys last year for 4 1/2 months.
I'd be really happy to answer any questions you have about it... or any girly questions you can ask my gf at kelly.clarke2@ntlworld.com
Matt x
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kitty22
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| Joined: | 7 May 2009 |
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| Posts: | 3 |
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Posted: 7 May 2009 09:23 am |
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Hey
I'm currently trying to plan a gap year and going to Kenya with Changing Worlds is definitely at the top of my list. I was just wondering if you could tell me any more about how the good Changing Worlds is as a gap year company and if you get the right kind of support while you're on your trip? Also, do you know how the pairing up of volunteers for accomodation works if travel dates and length of stay are flexible. How long would you recommend going for?
Thanks a lot,
Kitty
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matt.anderson09
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| Joined: | 23 Oct 2008 |
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| Posts: | 16 |
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Posted: 7 May 2009 11:08 am |
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| hi kitty, some good questions. I'm away from home at the moment but get back tonight, so I'll write a proper reply later tonight or tomorrow. Speak soon, Matt x
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Shirley
Administrator
| Joined: | 15 Aug 2006 |
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| Posts: | 54 |
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Posted: 7 May 2009 12:21 pm |
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Hi Kitty,
here is an email we had from Becky Holdens dad, I though it might give you another perspective.
Phil Holden writes:
To all at 'Changing world's'.
We have recently returned from a 2 week holiday to Kenya to meet our daughter, Rebecca. She is half way through a 6 month placement in Nakuru.
Whilst wholly in favour of the concept of a gap year, we were obviously concerned that our daughter should go with a reputable company with support in Kenya , should the need arise.
Having spoken to our daughter regularly since she arrived in Kenya , and now having met her again, and with the local people, we have been very pleased with the preparation before the placement, and with the help and support given to the students to help them settle into a completely new way of life. We have been particluarly pleased with the host, Karanja Kibunja, and his family and friends, who have gone out of their way to help and provide for the volunteers. We have noticed many changes in our daughter, such as increased confidence and self esteem, and have been delighted with the comments we received from the people that Rebecca lives or works with. This has clearly been a very good placement for her and the other volunteers that we spoke to.
Please pass on our thanks to the team, especially Karanja and his family.
PS. Someone have a word with Karanja about his taste in footbal!!!
Best wishes
Phil Holden
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Shirley
Administrator
| Joined: | 15 Aug 2006 |
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| Posts: | 54 |
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Posted: 7 May 2009 12:25 pm |
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And here is one from Zoe who is also in Kenya now,
Sent: 27 April 2009 15:30
To: David Gill
Subject: Hello
Hey David,
I just wanted to email and say that I'm having an absolutely amazing time out here, as is everyone else, and I can't imagine how it could get any better. Karanja has always been really good, contacting us regularly and being very welcoming, and although he is a typical Kenyan in ways like punctuality and his sense of humour, that's obviously something you have to adapt to and most people just laugh about.
I hope you know that everybody loves Kenya and everything Changing Worlds has set up for us. We're looking forward to meeting the new volunteers in the next few weeks and currently trying to think of more ways to raise lots of money for the schools and orphanages (we're doing quite well so far though!)
I hope everything's okay in England.
Zoe
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matt.anderson09
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| Joined: | 23 Oct 2008 |
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| Posts: | 16 |
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Posted: 8 May 2009 11:58 am |
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ok, firstly, I think Changing Worlds are a really good gap year company. They've got a lot of experience and they have many contacts but they are also a small enough company for you as an individual to matter to them. They will take care of you where neccessary (in the form of the rep Karanja), however you'll find that the problems you face in Kenya you will want to sort out by yourself.
I'm assuming that you're 18ish. I went when I was 18 and I really grew up when I was out there. I think the experience as a whole has had a greater influence on me as a person today, than any other. I wouldn't worry too much about where or who you will be staying with, just leave that to Changing Worlds to figure out. Even if someone goes home before you, for example, someone else will probably fill the gap. In my group people changed around a bit so it is reasonably flexible.
In late 07/early 08 when I was there, that was when there was all that trouble with the elections (about 800 people killed). It was probably one of the most serious issues Changing Worlds has had to sort out to date (at a guess), but I think in retrospect they dealt with it very well. We were safe throughout all of it, which is the main thing... they were very easy to reach if we needed to speak to them, and they kept our parents in the loop as well, so everybody knew what was happening.
I would personally recommend going for as long as you can. It costs the same amount for 6 months as 3, but you can't stay longer than 6 as that is when a tourist visa runs out. We were able to change our return flight date for free when we went to Nairobi airport, but I would book the dates beforehand and keep them. It saves a lot of hassle and travel. From experience, you need at least £1000 spending money for a 6 month trip. But then it depends on how frivolous you are with your money.
Just some advice for you if you decide to go...
learn as much Swahili as you can. It will set you apart from 'just another tourist' and will give you a whole new experience and enjoyment of the country
meet as many locals as you can (ie market traders, shop owners etc).
don't be shy - there's no place for it in Kenya.
(applies slightly more so to orphanage placement) don't let anything stop you doing evrything you can for the kids. You're there for them, not you - everything you have is theirs. Give them as much of yourself as you can. If you are genuine and you show love to them that's all they want. these kids are amazing and you'll learn as much from them as they will from you, but if you are stand-offish or don't give them all the love you can then you are there for nothing.
(mostly relevant to girls!!) if someone on the team annoys you or whatever- just forgive them and move on. You don't want to come home afterwards thinking of 'that girl', it will spoil your time.
I'll leave it there for the moment but as you can tell i've got a lot to say about Kenya. I highly recommend going - you'll never be the same person again. I hope I've been of some help, but if you have any more questions at all I'll be completely happy to answer them.
Matt x
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kitty22
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| Joined: | 7 May 2009 |
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| Posts: | 3 |
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Posted: 8 May 2009 12:26 pm |
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Thanks very much for all the posts, very informative and encouraging.
The financial advice is good to keep in mind and that's probably my biggest worry at the moment as I want to travel around a bit of Asia as well. Better find a well paid job!
I'll let you know if I think of any more questions, thanks a lot!
Kitty
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kitty22
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| Joined: | 7 May 2009 |
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| Posts: | 3 |
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Posted: 10 May 2009 10:11 am |
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Another question! I was wondering if you, or anyone in your group did work in the hospitals and if you might be able to tell me a bit more about what it involved? Also is it quite usual for people to do two placements since there seem to be connections with the hospitals, schools and childrens homes there?
Thanks,
Kitty
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Shirley
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| Joined: | 15 Aug 2006 |
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| Posts: | 54 |
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Posted: 10 May 2009 02:09 pm |
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Hi Kitty,
You can do both a hospital and orphanage or schools placement if you want to some people combine them and some people do one after another.
Shirley
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matt.anderson09
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| Joined: | 23 Oct 2008 |
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| Posts: | 16 |
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Posted: 14 May 2009 07:58 pm |
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As far as I'm aware nobody did 2 placements in my group. One person did the hospital placement but she sort of abandoned us within the first month so we never found out what it was like. I am studying radiography at the moment and wish I had taken the time to go and see what the hospital facilities were like. I went there once or twice to give blood but didn't get to see much of the hospital.
If you have an interest in the clinical field and children you should work in both for a bit. But the placements are reasonably flexible so you could probably change around if necessary.
Matt
Last edited on 14 May 2009 08:00 pm by matt.anderson09
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Zoe
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| Joined: | 14 Jan 2008 |
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| Posts: | 4 |
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Posted: 27 Jul 2009 03:01 pm |
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Hey, I'm Zoe and I've just got back from 6 months in Nakuru and missing it so much, hence why I'm on here looking for an excuse to talk about it.
If you mean two placements in terms of doing teaching and orphanage, then basically everyone in our group (about 16 people) did both. It's really easy to teach from 8am til 3pm ish then visit the orphanage from 4pm-6pm, as the kids are at school until about 4 anyway. One girl in our group did a hospital placement but she was only there for about a month as there wasn't enough work at the hospital for her to be of any real help. I know Karanja and Mary are trying to sort this and sort placements at a different hospital but I would check on this before you decide to do it!
Just general advice would be GO because it's the best thing I've ever done and I wouldn't change a thing about it. Changing Worlds were brilliant, Karanja and the host families are really supportive if you need them, and you'll make such good friends in terms of the other volunteers, Kenyans, and the children.
If you have any more questions then just contact me  My full name's Zoe Kelland so feel free to add me on facebook.
Zoe x
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Rebecca_Cla*re
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| Joined: | 15 Jul 2008 |
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| Posts: | 4 |
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Posted: 5 Sep 2009 11:52 pm |
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Zoe, so true! Kenya was the best thing i ever did but even better goimg with changing Worlds!!! they catered for my every need! I made some of my best friends out there both Kenyans and Volunteers and definately cant wait to return next July!!!
check out my blogs, photos and general web page
http://www.nakuruchildren.webs.com
dont be fooled my the hard work, we had loads of amaing, fun nights out too! Kenya has it all!!!
add me on Facebook Rebecca Siddall
Rebecca xxxxx
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