Volunteer with Children in Kenya | KVCDP

I think I have not made a significant impact on the local community in Wagusu.

Their way of living may not be perfect in my European-dazzled eyes and in many ways I can think of possible improvements, however, the community has found a way to live in balance with their surroundings.

I was not there to teach them but to learn about their way of living and to exchange ideas. Concerning some hygiene issues, I commented on the status quo and made suggestions to improve the situation.

But it's really up to the community what they do with these ideas. I hope playing with the children and participating in the community activities made an impact in that moment, because I did enjoy it very much.

But to make a significant impact I think I would have to be involved more and stayed longer.

Margaret is a beautiful person and stayed with me in the center during my time being there. She is a member of the Wagusu community and has a husband and several children.

She lives in the village, but takes very good care of the volunteers during their time in the center. She cooks, cleans, always smiles and is very interested in having a chat with you.

For two weeks Margaret was preparing tasty and local dishes for me and shared these meals with us in the evening. Here we had time to exchange ideas and learn from each other.

I learned that she is a very good mother, teaching her children to be independent. I also learned that her husband is one of the goldminers in the town and that they have been living in the community for a long time.

She is friendly and her dancing skills really impressed me. I think she is a very wise person, who can teach you lot about Kenya, if you want to listen.

On my day of departure she walked a long way to greet me and say good-bye, even though it was Saturday and early in the morning. Margaret's friendliness, unselfishness and hospitality is something I will remember and I appreciate a lot.

What I have learned most of all is that everything, big or small, has a value. Having seen children being so happy with having close to nothing, really made me rethink my life and life in general.

I want to learn to be happier with less and help those who have less than me. I have started to talk and write about my experience a lot trying to share my experience with others.

Also, I have started to work voluntarily once a week. I teach in a language school for free and I enjoy it very much. Like in Kenya, a smile is more valuable than money.

KVCDP implements programs addressing the issues that directly affects the communities and have direct impact on their beneficiaries including. It gives hope and new breath of life to the most desiring orphaned children in Wagusu community. The Wagusu community is responsive to KVCDP programs; no other organization goes above and beyond more than KVCDP.

All our resources are well invested in people and the community who feel ownership of the programs and project. Also, unlike other organizations, KVCDP started with humble beginnings with the people as the basis for resources. With no startup funding, we look at being sustainable in the long run. KVCDP volunteers have the power to suggest what is best for the community. A sense of ownership is felt by all involved.

This is a story from Audrey Korenek one of the participants in 2013 in one of our community programs: "Honestly it was the best trip of my life. I can't express how comfortable and how at home I felt in Africa. The people were the most amazing part and made all of us feel so welcome. The children were the sweetest kids I have ever met. The women's group of Wagusu were the most amazing group of women I have ever seen. I hope they continue to grow and keep up all of the work and dedication. What they have done for the community is so great and has really made an impact. I wouldn't change about my trip and I really hope to come back some day. Thank you Jackline Ouko and Albert Ouko for your hospitality and for the love you showed us. What you have done for your community is beyond words. I hope God continues to bless you both and all of the people of Africa."