The last couple of days at the centre were very emotionally tensed. I wanted to spend more time with the boys, some days I did double shifts ,wanted to stay longer with the children, get as many memories as I could, they were giving so much strength to see life from a different prospective that every day was a different lesson about life. They were thirst to learn too, many questions about how is the rest of the world out there, how are schools in Greece, why my nails are white and clean, what do we eat, and many many more, that were making at times smile…They are normal questions for us that we are no curious to know when we meet someone, very important to them though and it makes you wonder when we lost the importance of sharing simple thoughts with each other…..when??
peace & love
Maria P
Kenya, Mombasa – 17/01/2010
But the nicest day of them all, was a Sunday when myself and another volunteer which is doing an amazing job with the children, when to the village and bought 13kg of sword fish, a couple of kg of potatoes, carrots, and other vegetables to cook for them a fish soup! Their joy was indescribable! Read the rest of this entry »
A special friend shared with me the most wonderful moments in her life, when she volunteered in Costa Rica and Africa helping children. She said it was one of the most rewarding experiences in her life!
Her personal volunteer statement and many others, helped me decide to embark on a life changing trip with one thought on my mind, how to make a difference in the lives of those children who are so much less fortunate than all of us!!
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11/01/2010
I will never forget my first day at the center… I arrived on the assembly time, 48 boys standing there, age 5-17 years old, 3-4 classrooms made of stone, at the back was a yard with mango trees, cashew trees, nothing alike the European schools, but the smells from nature was so strong, the loud laugh of the children was so alive, the colors so vibrant, made me think that although they were having their lessons under poor circumstances , yet it was the perfect environment for a school to be, nature, no cars, no buildings covering the sun, no pollution!
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Seven ex-street boys sat for their KCPE [kenya certificate primary education] last year, they past and they have been called to go to different secondary schools.
With the help of two volunteers, one of the boys has already reported to a secondary school. The volunteers will pay for the school fees of these boys but the other three boys who are to report to secondary schools next week, we lack school fees for one of them who is very much willing to go to school.
Any body who might be willing to pay for them is welcome to do so. Thank you for those two volunteers who are still with us, one of the is back to USA now. We are very happy for the four boys who will be sitting for their KCPE this year. Two have been promised sponsorship and two not yet. It is only through education that we can give this children better lives and future. I hope you will agree with me.
Thank you
Sister Annet
Well I’ve been here a while now and so much has changed at the centre. There has been so much progress with the organisation of the way the centre is run and the benefits are being seen everyday. The centre has been redecorated, and a library has been built, there are now football nets, swings and a basketball net, all donated by volunteers. Standard 8 have just finished their exams and are feeling confident, so fingers crossed for them
This week the boys have been on holidays so there has been lots of activities, including bead work, sports day and football tournements. The kids are having a great time and plans are all set for the leaving party for standard 8 tomorrow. We had a great time yesterday,we had a big water fight and the volunteers definitely lost that fight.
There are now shifts at the centre consisting of a morning, afternoon and bed time shift. Bed time is my favourite, its lovely putting the little ones to bed and reading stories, down side, the bugs are out with a vengence.
We are now preparing for christmas and Fiona and sisters are teaching the boys charols, I’m staying out of it, my voice would just ruin it, but its great fun to watch, hoping to be able to do choir services in the hotels nearer to christmas. We have also started the christmas fund to buy all the boys pressies, which can be found on the Africa Watoto website, so get on and donate, it will be money very well spent.
Hi
I am Hannah and i am off to kenya in two weeks to volunteer in Grandsons of abraham rescue centre in mombasa. I returned home from the centre 3 months ago and am very excited to go back. Apparently the centre has changed dramatically since i left, all for the better by the sounds of it and i cant wait to see all the changes.
I am travelling with my friend Clare for the first two weeks and cant wait to introduce her to the centre.
I will keep you updated with all the news and goss from the centre. x x x
I should have started this blog by telling my volunteering experience in Africa but I am doing it the other way around. So at the moment I am just going to talk about today.
Today is one of these days that I have to follow my routine, wake up and go to work…. During work of course i work and, twitt, facebook, websites, news… design banners, listen to music everything and anything i can possible do online.
But today was different. 
The reason is because I spoke with the kids from the rescue center. I called one of the volunteers that has a Kenya mobile phone and luckily she was at the center. Straight away she gave the phone to the boys and I spoke with Samuel, Oscar and other boys.. We were so happy to speak and just listen to our voices. I kind of felt that I was there with them, like I pictured myself to the center. They told me they were still playing the flute recorder, which is amazing!! Samuel asked if I was going back and I said maybe in a couple of months, maybe christmas. I really want to go back although I know it’s up to my finance but saying it over and over again to myself I think I might as well magage to do it. That’s getting too personal now. The point is that after that call I felt so happy and alive, it really gave meaning to my today life and encouraged me to do more so I can achieve my little goals in life.
Love
Stella
The last couple of days at the centre were very emotionally tensed. I wanted to spend more time with the boys, some days I did double shifts ,wanted to stay longer with the children, get as many memories as I could, they were giving so much strength to see life from a different prospective that every day was a different lesson about life. They were thirst to learn too, many questions about how is the rest of the world out there, how are schools in Greece, why my nails are white and clean, what do we eat, and many many more, that were making at times smile…They are normal questions for us that we are no curious to know when we meet someone, very important to them though and it makes you wonder when we lost the importance of sharing simple thoughts with each other…..when??
