Volunteering with Destiny Garden School
Volunteers are encouraged to work at Destiny Garden School. They not only gain valuable life experiences but also benefit the school with their help, different ideas and cultures.
For more details of the volunteer programme, please see the following questions and answers, or contact Jacob on info@destinygardenschool.com. He would be happy to answer any other queries you may have.
From this link, you can see the comments some of our recent past volunteers have made - Volunteer Reviews, and also see Future Volunteers to hear what plans some fothcoming volunteers are making.
Volunteer Kathy
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I volunteer at Destiny Garden School?
Who can volunteer?
What would I do?
How long would my placement be?
Where would I stay?
What about flights and transport from the airport?
How much will it cost me to volunteer?
How can I apply to become a volunteer?
What have past volunteers done?
Why should I volunteer at Destiny Garden School?
Volunteering direct with Destiny Garden School cuts out the often large administration fees charged by volunteering organizations, whose overheads are high.
The school is directed and managed by Jacob, who is a qualified experienced businessman, has worked in education and has successfully set up another similar charity school. He holds the welfare and education of the children uppermost and his vision is ‘to get the children out of their poverty trap through education.’
Volunteers at Destiny Garden School are looked after by Jacob and his family to ensure that their stay is comfortable and safe, and to make sure that they have a rewarding experience.
As a volunteer, you will see the difference you are helping to make to improve the lives of needy children. By working at Destiny Garden School, you will learn about a culture very different to your own and gain an insight into the lives of children being educated in Kenya.
Working in Mombasa will give you the opportunity to experience Kenya, one of the most scenic countries in Africa – and you can take weekend breaks to visit one of the spectacular Game Reserves for example or relax on one of the many beaches.
Volunteers at Destiny Garden School in Mombasa, Kenya, will help to meet the educational needs of 180 needy and orphaned children aged 2½ to 13 years.
The school focuses on education, sport and counselling, but as a volunteer you could be involved in these or a range of tasks depending on the requirements of the children at the time. You may help the staff in teaching, play with the children or help at mealtimes.
You do not have to have training as a teacher to help. Many skills could be of benefit to the running of the school.
Suggestions are: Teaching of English, maths and spelling, sports, book keeping, building, handy work or just someone to assist the children. Any skill would be appreciated.
If you have never taught before and only have the confidence to hand out photocopied worksheets from home and praise the children while they work you will be making a huge difference. This along with songs and other ideas you may have will already be an inspirational new learning experience for the children.
We are also looking for an expert volunteer to help in our DESTINY GARDEN FARMING PROJECT. The volunteer will specialize in growing vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, green vegetables and fruit trees to help in the sustainable development of our child care centre.
Remember, all you need is a positive attitude and commitment on being willing to contribute where you can. Do this and you will be providing great benefits to the children which will play a part in their future success in life.
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Who can volunteer?
This program is suitable for students, gap year programs, people taking sabbaticals, a career change or in retirement. You will work with a professional Aid and Development organization. You will be part of Jacob’s team the moment you arrive at the airport.
Volunteers come from all walks of life, young and old, with the energy, skills and desire to work in a very special community service project away from home.
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How long would my placement be?
Volunteers can be long or short-term.
Your placement will normally be for a 1-8 week period, but could be 6 months to 2 years, depending on your requirements.
This allows participants an in-depth experience of our development work. You may of course volunteer for a longer period if you wish.
Some participants may only be able to volunteer for shorter placements due to family or work commitments. The two-week program caters especially for these volunteers.
You will be supported and guided in every way possible. In an emergency, you will not be alone. We will be there to assist you.
Jacob and his family would be your host family. They have a safe, spacious flat on Mombasa Island where you would receive transport to the school, meals (special diets can be catered for), access to the internet, a television and a room with all the amenities you would require. Rooms are shared depending on the
number of guests
staying but for an extra supplement a room can be booked
privately.
What about flights and transport from the airport?
As Destiny Garden School is not a holiday company, we cannot arrange your flights. There are many websites and travel agents who can assist you with this and good deals can be found. Look at getting a flight to Nairobi, then a separate flight to Mombasa where you will be met at the airport for safe transportation to the flat.
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How much will it cost me to volunteer?
We work very hard to keep costs down especially for you, the volunteer. While volunteers are enjoying the service we provide for them, we remain committed to maintaining both the quality of the program and the safety of all volunteers involved.
Our charges for volunteers are:
Duration US UK
One week $540 £330
Two weeks $740 £452
Three weeks $940 £574
Four weeks $1140 £696
Every extra week $200 0r £122
The equivalent charges are payable in your local currency at the exchange rate at time of booking. Please contact Jacob, the School Director, at info@destinygardenschool.com for further details.
Deposit:
A booking deposit of US$ 320 or Euros 220 or GBP 200 is required to secure your volunteer placement. This deposit is non refundable. There is, however, no PLACEMENT FEE in our organization.
The deposit can be paid via bank transfer to our account. Contact Jacob at info@destinygardenschool.com for further details.
Balance of the payment:
Meanwhile the balance for your stay and food costs are paid on your arrival at the volunteers’ residence reserved for the project.
** Please Note: some organisations have special agreements with Destiny Garden School which may or may not result in different fees being paid.
The accommodation and food fees include –
- All transport to and from the school
- Transport to and from the airport.
- Breakfast, lunch and evening meal at accommodation or school
- Drinking water – personal bottle can be filled to take to the school
- Comfortable room with a large bed and secure mosquito net (rooms may be shared depending on numbers)
- Room has kettle, seating area and large lockable wardrobe
- Room serviced daily, except Sundays
- Room deep cleaned weekly
- Sheets and towels washed weekly
- Personal Laundry washed and ironed weekly
- Limited access to the internet – there is an internet café close by
- Use of shared facilities – lounge with television, kitchen, bathroom etc ***
*** power cuts can affect the running of the home and there is not always hot water for the shower
The following are not covered by the food and accommodation fees, and are the responsibility of the volunteer.
- All flight costs and charges
- Travel/medical insurance, visa costs, vaccination costs
- Food costs if away from the project
- Bottled drinks
- Sight seeing and excursions
- Pocket money
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How can I apply to become a volunteer?
If you would like to volunteer, or would like more details, please contact Jacob on info@destinygardenschool.com .
Jacob will send you an application form, and two personal references will be required.
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What have past volunteers done?
Past volunteers have done a variety of different tasks - teaching a wide range of subjects, coaching sports, helping with the school accounts and bookkeeping systems, building this website, digging the new vegetable plots, organising a sports day, arranging an awards ceromony, to name but a few. Please see the comments some of our recent past volunteers have mede - Volunteer Reviews