Why did you decide to volunteer with Love Volunteers in Kenya?
Henny: I decided to volunteer after we went on our honeymoon to Kenya, we met the most welcoming people we had ever met. They didn't have a lot of material things, but the had so much happiness and positive thinking in their life. Also my husband had worked in the army for some years and he now wanted to do some work as a civilian an on his own terms.
Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.
Henny: We were most of the time our own boss, we made our own project based on our skills and what we though was most valued in the community. Our day started around 8 in the morning, we worked until lunch and then we had a brake when the sun was at it warmest, then we got back to work in the afternoon.
The projects we did were a garden where we gave the community ready to plant seedlings and learned them how to take care of the plants. We also did a garden for each class at the local school so they can grow their own vegetables and get knowledge on how to take care of a garden. We got to decide our selves when we wanted to work and when we wanted to take a day off, I am an addict to keeping busy, but it can be quite easy too get a bit lazy I think, it really is another way of living than what we are used to, so be prepared to slow it down before you go.
What made this volunteer experience unique and special?
Henny: I have no other volunteering experience so I`m not sure what I expected and what made it special in terms of volunteering. But we lived with an amazing host family and I think that's really important to make it a good experience, and since we stayed for over six weeks we felt like we became a part of the family. I have a special place in my heart for Kenya and getting to live there and see the day to day life in a regular family made that place even bigger.
How has this experience helped you grow personally and professionally?
Henny: The experience will impact my life forever I think, I've started to be more positive on a day to day basis, I've changed my appreciation to things I took for granted before. And I'm also sure I will support anyone I know that want to volunteer in the future. I also feel I've had an amazing opportunity to share my new-found knowledge about volunteering and the massai people if Kenya to the people around me. And by telling about the experience my niece (4-years) already want to help when she grows up.