Volunteer Training Programme KENYA Pre-trip Training Before you set off on your journey abroad you should make the most of the support and advice of the staff here at Moving Mountains UK. We have years of experience traveling to and working in Kenya, and we are here to help you work out any concerns you may have, and to make sure that you are fully prepared for your trip. We travel all over the UK so we can arrange face-to-face visits, or alternatively we are always available via phone, email or Skype. We have offices in Northern Ireland and staff based in London, Bristol, Aberdeen and South Wales, so we should be able to easily arrange a meeting. We can advise you on topics such as:
International Development – Ask us questions about how your volunteering fits into the wider structure of Moving Mountains Kenya and about the real effects your trip will have on the ground. Call us for a chat about different models of International Development to make sure that you understand exactly what your trip entails. Cultural awareness – This includes the practicalities of what to pack to ensure that you are dressed appropriately, what to expect in terms of food and the food culture in the region you are visiting and general guidelines for behaviour to guarantee that your time in Kenya is a success. Fundraising – We can share ideas about how to maximise your fundraising efforts based on past experience!
If you are taking part in a teaching placement or volunteering your time to work with young people at the Embu Rescue Centre we can also provide you with resources such as a Monthly Activity Planner, to help you structure your time and make sure it is as beneficial as possible to all involved.
In-country Staff Our staff in Kenya are also available via Skype for you to communicate with from home. Let them tell you more about life in Kenya and about what to expect from your placement. They will also be able to talk you through what to expect on a day-to-day basis and to offer you some ideas on how to make sure your placement runs smoothly. They can tell you the history of the project where you will be located, and explain the work of Moving Mountains in this region. It may also make you feel more relaxed to begin to get to know some of the staff you will be working closely with before you start your placement.
Volunteer Training Programme KENYA Resource Packs We are happy for you to come to us with any particular skills or interests you may have, and to expand our training around these subjects. We can then send you information about these subjects before you depart for your trip, to help you in your preparations. For example if you are taking part in one of our teaching assistant programmes, and will need to plan lessons for non-examinable subjects we can put together packs on specific topics to help you. Examples of topics you may want to further explore include:
Drama and Theatre for Development – how drama is a great tool to interact with young people in Kenya, and the wider connotations of theatre for social change in the region. Swahili learning resources – Learning a language is one of the best ways to integrate into another society, and is also a great personal skill to have, so make the most of links to various online resources with information about the Swahili language! Music – This is a great topic to research before you head out to Kenya. Why not brush up on some knowledge about variations of local music and the culture around music in the region? Interested in sport? If you’re heading to Kenya learn more about the relationship between sport and development in East Africa and about our Black Cats football teams across Kenya.
Online Resources You will also have constant access to a bank of online resources consisting of articles, essays, videos and webpages relevant to International Development and Volunteer Travel.
Volunteer Training Programme KENYA In-country Sessions This is the best time to learn from our local staff. Our highly experienced local staff will be there to offer both practical support and guidance during your placement and through informal chats they can help you understand topics such as:
The history and culture of the area you are working in, and of Kenya/East Africa more generally. Development at home – Their experiences of working in the field of development, how they became involved with Moving Mountains and how they are actively working towards positive change in their own countries. Helping you to process the experience – There is a lot to take in when you spend an extended period of time in another country, and this can generate a lot of feelings you may be unsure about. Use the local staff who have worked with volunteers for many years to work through some of these thoughts. Other Moving Mountains projects and examples of development – Learn about the wider reach of Moving Mountains in East Africa and about the history and current progress of some of our other projects.
Post-trip Debrief Support Meet with Moving Mountains UK Staff and pull everything you have experienced together with the support of our UK staff who can help you think about:
Different opportunities to stay involved with Moving Mountains at home and abroad. What the experience has meant to you and how you can use it for positive change in your own personal development and also in your community at home. How your thoughts on East Africa and International Development may have changed and support in processing these.
It is our hope that this training programme will prepare and support you throughout all stages of your experience with Moving Mountains. Please contact movingmountainsglobal@gmail.com to arrange visits or for further details of our training sessions.