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I worked for 3 weeks at Gabriel Learning Centre, which was founded two years ago by an Australian woman of great vision and spirit. Volunteers may help doing everything from kitchen work at the Centre to building latrines in the Kaptembwa slums of Nakuru, but as I am a teacher, I spent my days teaching basic reading and math to the "nursery" age children and conversational English to the adults who were learning to sew. Gabriel's staff carefully chooses its adult students, who learn tailoring (on a treadle machine) and business skills so that they may later support themselves and their families. The program is run through Susan Saleeba's rigorous fund-raising back home in Australia, and under the careful on-site direction of Christopher Makokha. Volunteers are encouraged to do what they do best--whether they prefer working with the adults (sewing and embroidery experience are sought-after), or the children (ages 3-7). Christopher says we must "go with the strength that we have."
Many of the other ELI volunteers chose to work at the hospital, but came to the Centre to be with the children in the afternoons, and to help support the families in the slum. Last year, one American volunteer raised money and sent (by new volunteers) four iBooks to the Centre. I used these to teach English vocabulary and beginning computer skills to the adults; the possibilities are endless if you are a computer adept.
Your time at Gabriel's will be rewarding and appreciated. Rosemary Njenga Wangui is the volunteer coordinator and will guard you like a bulldog (her real dog is also great!). All of the staff are sympathetic and kind-hearted. Boundless energy is not necessary; compassion and open-mindedness are better tools to carry. Those, and picture books for the children if you're going. The children also need chalk, white boards, dry erase markers, pencils, erasers, and sturdy composition books (there are twenty children currently and about 75 adults).
Go. You will make a difference to many, including yourself.