Nakuru Hope

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10 / 10 after 20 Reviews Based on overall, support & value average ratings
Program website: http://www.nakuruhope.org

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Volunteering for this project changed how I see the world, and I don't think I can give it a bigger rap than that. If you are looking for a grass-roots organisation where you can make a tangible, visible difference every single day, this is it. This was exactly the type of volunteer experience that I had searched for for almost ten years - a small but powerful organisation where I could play a hands-on role in actively helping people, especially children.

Every day at Gabriel's was different, and the variety was so stimulating, and gave me a really broad sense of both the problems at play in the Kaptembwe slum and their possible solutions. From teaching songs about frogs to the children in the school, to cleaning out the house of a man who had lost his wife to AIDS, to being part of the most beautiful and powerful women's meeting with the sewing students, every task or activity was rewarding. There was an incredible sense of community around the centre, and I felt not only safe but treasured.

I can't speak highly enough of Susan, the director, and Christopher, the operations manager - they are caring, wise, incredibly knowledgable about the local situation, and have the trust and admiration of the local people. They were able to show us how to use our time and money to literally change the course of people's lives, and were adaptable and accommodating of our areas of interest, and how we wanted to spend our time. They encouraged us to travel and see the country, which in itself was a gift. On one of our trips away (to our utter disbelief!) our group successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.

I cannot wait to return, and am particularly excited about the possibilities that will be opened up when Gabriel's moves to its new premises, where we will have the opportunity to help change the lives of even more women and children, and to develop ongoing and meaningful relationships with them. As well as more classrooms and school facilities, the new building will house a rape and refuge centre for women, and volunteers will be able to stay there as well.

There isn't a day that passes when I don't think of the Nakuru Kenya Family Project - of the lessons it taught me about humility and generosity and the huge amount that can be achieved when good people have the resources to reach out to people and places that would otherwise be forgotten. If you are even vaguely considering volunteering here, I urge you to take the plunge.

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Posted: October 13, 2012
Overall:
10
Support:
10
Value:
10
By: dbell2012
Age:
30

It was a tiny article in the travel section of the newspaper that led me to decide to
volunteer for 3 weeks in the slums of Nakuru, Kenya. I spent a few hours with Susan asking questions about the project. Inspired by Susan’s passion and dedication and that the project is funded totally by fundraising and donations I made the decision to go to Kenya.

I travelled to Nakuru with Susan and 5 other volunteers from Australia. It was an experience unlike anything I have known; on one level I was providing practical help such as helping in the pre-primary classroom, taking food parcels to families in the slums, washing and mending school clothes, sorting lentils for the children’s lunches, teaching women to sew, purchasing clothes in the markets, visiting families in the slums, cleaning a young woman’s home. I was confronted on a daily basis with meeting families who were destitute, hungry and illiterate … and some who had lost the will to live. Children happily come to school to learn and patiently wait for their lunch of ugali and lentils. I learned that for most, this is the only meal they will eat. Mothers thank us for taking them a parcel of food. I learned that they had not eaten for 2-3 days. Families gratefully accept the gift of a foam mattress. For they only have a cement floor and newspaper to sleep on. I experienced emotions ranging from rage, despair and sadness … to optimism, humility and gratitude. The three weeks in spent in Nakuru was rewarding beyond expectation. Do yourself a favour and go.

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Posted: August 28, 2012
Overall:
10
Support:
10
Value:
10
By: valgan
Age:
55

I spent one month volunteering with The Nakuru Kenya Family Project. The entire experience exceeded my expectations! The accommodations were lovely and very safe. Rosemary is a very helpful and welcoming host.
The center is located right outside, Kaptembwa, the largest slum in Nakuru and only a 20 minute walk from your home stay or a quick 5 minute boda boda (bicycle) ride. At the center, you can do a variety of tasks depending on your skill set and desire. I assisted the teacher with pre-primary and primary children, sorted lentils, served porridge and made several home visits. The children are incredibly eager for affection and knowledge. It is shocking to witness the extreme deficit that the families of the slum face. It will forever change you. At the same time, you get to be a part of the solution to aiding these families in great need. The center provides such great hope to destitute families. Christopher, the operations director of the center, constantly said an expression that will always stick with me,"challenge the challenge," which is what he does day in and day out and inspires everyone who surrounds him to do the same.
I often think of the children, families, and people of Nakuru, and I can't wait to return. In addition to the much work that needs to be done, I miss Nakuru daily life and Kenyan culture. Asante sana, Susan Saleeba, for all the work you do and all the people you bring together to support the sweet, sweet families of Kaptembwa.

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Posted: August 18, 2012
Overall:
10
Support:
10
Value:
10
By: aloflin23
Age:

I am so glad I volunteered with The Nakuru Kenya Family Project.
It was exactly the kind of volunteering project I was looking for.

I had previously been to Nakuru with another well known Volunteering organisation. I had given over a small fortune to that organisation and very few of these funds were given to the orphanage/home stay were I worked/stayed. So I had heard about a fabulous woman, Susan Saleeba, who had given all her time and energy into setting up a volunteering programme that didn't rip off volunteers and made a massive difference to the lives within the local community. And it certainly was everything I expected and more!

Being involved with The Gabriel Learning Centre was the most rewarding experience of my life! I met the most amazing people during my time in Nakuru. It was like a home away from home. The children, the people, the other volunteers and the experiences I will never forget. If you are considering volunteering in Kenya, all I will say is just do it. An amazing country and amazing people.

Often things you see on the internet can be intimidating: I wondered if what I was walking into would really reach my expectations, and it certainly did. The program is well run and the coordinators (aside from being amazing, inspiring and passionate individuals) know exactly what they are doing and tackle problems head-on.

Overall, this is a great project and I highly recommend it.

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Posted: August 14, 2012
Overall:
10
Support:
10
Value:
10
By: hackett77
Age:
25

My first home visit I met a young lady who was HIV positive and she had been ill for some time. She lives in a house with 8 other people, one of these being a infant who was abandoned by her mother who the lady took in to care for. Her son didn't go to school that day because he felt too weak to leave the house as he hadn't eaten in two days. Gabriel's provided the family with a food parcel so that they can finally eat a meal and they will continue to cover the costs of this woman's medical treatment, as without it she would not be capable of taking care of her family.

I met a family of 9 who were 2 months behind in rent and sleeping on blankets on the floor. Because of Gabriel's Their rent will be paid and they will now have a much comfortable sleep on a mattress.

I met a boy, now 7, who at the age of 5 was found living on the streets sniffing glue with no future ahead of him. He was saved by Gabriel's and now attends school 5 days a week and has a brighter future ahead of him. He is such a bright, beautiful, happy kid it is hard t believe his future would be any different. 

This is just some of the work I have seen first hand done by the team at the Gabriel learning centre. Never before have i come across an organization so beautifully ran, where 100% of profits donated and raised go to the people of Nakuru. Every day i hear multiple stories of people living in the slums and it breaks my heart, but i also see how Gabriel's is making a difference in hundreds of people's lives everyday and this gives me hope that these people will be ok! EVERYONE should come and experience life in Africa first hand!

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Posted: August 13, 2012
Overall:
10
Support:
10
Value:
10
By: Lozcasta
Age:
21

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