My time in Kenya was truly unforgettable. Caro and I came to Kenya with curiosity and a desire to work with children, and we leave the country with hearts full of memories, inspiration, and gratitude. From teaching and organizing activities to laughing with the children during swimming lessons, every day brought new experiences and emotions. The warm welcome from the team, the energy of the children, and the meaningful conversations we had will remain with us forever.

There was always someone to talk to, and you never felt alone. I learned a lot about the culture and the people, but I also heard some sad stories about the children. It was wonderful that they still brought so much joy to our everyday lives.

I spent 6 weeks with Better Me in 2017 and it was a wonderful experience - to learn, grow and share. At this time the organization was just at the beginning. I helped at the school and in the community. The children and organization became like a second family for me. I also met a lot of nice people in the community. With some of them I still am in contact. I visited the project several times since. It is always very welcoming and heartwarming. I cant wait to bring my daughter to Korando one day.

I had a great experience staying with Better Me, it was an introduction to social work and the impact ngo's can have for local communities. There is a general positive energy. The experience also gave me a peek into Kenyan culture and customs, for example by adressing people with their last name, washing clothes, cooking with firewood... Faremost, the team members value volunteer safety while also allowing the freedom to explore the city by yourself. During both day and nighttime the team members make arrangements to enjoy the city of Kisumu while also keeping an eye for possible hazards to safety. This allowed me to make personal connections outside of the program for which i am forever grateful.

Travelling to Kenya with Better Me has truly been life-changing. I still remember stepping on the plane at 19, completely on my own, excited but also overwhelmed. Yet, from the very first moment, I never felt alone. At the airport and later at Korando, I was welcomed with such warmth by the team, the children, the volunteers, and basically by everyone I met. It instantly felt like I had arrived in a familiar place, even though I have never been here before.

During my first stay, I experienced more you could ever wish for as a volunteer: I was teaching in the Remand home, caring for babies at Mama Ngina, joining spontaneous hospital visits as a medical student, and spending time with the kids at Korando, whose kindness touched me deeply! Not to forget the countless activities in our freetime, such as Karaoke, sunrise hill walks, nature walks…. What stood out most was how Better Me makes everything personal. Nothing ever feels “too crazy” or “too much” – whatever your passion is, someone will stand beside you and make it possible, without judgment, only with encouragement.

Leaving after four weeks broke my heart. Back in Austria, not a single day passed without me thinking of Kenya. I never thought it was possible to miss a place – and the people in it – so intensely.

That’s why I returned in 2025 for six weeks, this time with three of my friends. Additionally, I had the chance to take a spontaneous trip to Tanzania – another adventure I wouldn’t have had without the people behind Better Me.

My friends and I did our medical internship at the Kisumu County Referral hospital, and once again Better Me took care of every detail. Even though this wasn’t part of the standard program, it was created just for us. That flexibility, that willingness to shape the experience around you, is what makes Better Me unlike anything else.

Saying goodbye again was just as hard.
Especially the children have carved a permanent place in my heart. I know I’ll return again and again, because Better Me isn’t just a program – it’s a home away from home. It’s a place where you are accepted for who you are. Where you are supported in becoming the best version of yourself.

For me, Better Me has been the best time of my life. It gifted me not only with unforgettable experiences and new friendships, but also with a second family. And that’s something I will carry with me forever.

To my second family: Asante sana!!!!

I still think about my stay in Kisumu with BetterMe. As a volunteer, you get treated so well by the whole team. I think our help definitely makes a difference; you can help with money, time, our talents, kindness, and teaching skills.

I do think the organisation has to work a bit on its social media. The posts are not always up to date, and I feel like some pictures are taken/chosen without permission.

But overall, the organisation is doing amazing! Everybody really cares and also wants the volunteers to have an amazing time. I love what the organisation does, and I hope it can accomplish even more in the future.

My experience with Better Me has been life changing. I have gone the past two summers and plan to continue returning because of how incredible it is. The people you meet here are so kind and supportive. The children are so beautiful and I am inspired by their courage. If you love working with children and traveling… THIS IS THE PLACE TO GO!!!! My favorite part of the whole experience is those little moments you have where you just feel so connected to the kids. Reading, swimming, and painting with them are just a few of the many ways that I developed such close bonds with the children here.

My time at Better Me was an incredible learning experience, both professionally and in personal terms.

On a professional level, the team was very open and supportive in taking into consideration my learning goals and assigned me tasks targeting my interests, which eventually shaped my present career in the humanitarian sector as a project coordinator. On a personal level, living in a stimulating environment, in a wonderfully welcoming community, and with an incredibly fun team, makes it still today, the best period in my life!! I would suggest this experience to someone who is flexible, wants to explore social work in the field, or is interested in how an NGO works. The strength of Better Me is that they have plenty of local partners who are always happy to have extra help; therefore, it's possible to work on a single project or multiple projects, depending on personal preferences and goals. Kenya and the city of Kisumu is also great places for a first experience abroad, the city is really safe, is not a huge overwhelming metropolis like Nairobi, but still offers fun, and any service one might need. However, one can still have a strong connection with the local community through activities on the field or simply by hanging out with the team. Lastly, I would suggest this experience to someone who is proactive. The magic in this organisation happens thanks to the synergy between the team and the volunteers, meaning that one has to be fully engaged and motivated to work hard and contribute to the projects, so don't expect people tell you all the time what to do. On the contrary, the more you engage yourself in the projects, the more you will take from the whole experience.

Hey my name is Ben im 22 and from Munich in Germany,

I had one of my coolest and most interesting times in Kenia with BetterMe. I learned so much and really started to trust myself again ... this trip gave me the courage to dive into things without hesitation. It was grounding to see communities working together, and I loved exploring, stepping into different people’s surroundings, and playing football with BetterMe, Coach Billy and the boys from Kisian and Korando. The BetterMe team was super great ... every one of them has their own superpower. Also all of them are meaningful people that are willing to support you and also to help and guide you through everything. I’d recommend anyone who wants to see another part of the world and help out to volunteer with BetterMe. Big greetings from Munich, Germany.