Tanel
Mondo’s School Link project, May-July 2015
- Age
34 - Profession
a teacher - For how long did you volunteer in Shianda?
For 3 months (May, June, July in 2015) - Why did you decide to go to Kenya?
I always wanted to get a teaching experience from abroad. For many years I used to teach my pupils about voluntary work abroad, now I got a chance to try it myself. - Why did you decide to volunteer with WEFOCO?
Because WEFOCO is simply the best. - What do you think about the work that is being done by WEFOCO?
Visiting some local families, I saw how WEFOCO can improve their lives. There is a positive impact on local community. I hope WEFOCO can act as long as possible. - What kind of tasks did you have?
My main task was to introduce and share active teaching methods with local teachers. I gave seminars in nine local schools. I hope that at least some of the methods will be used. I gave some English lessons at Rise&Shine school. I had some other tasks too. For example project “Food for thought” with Rise&Shine school, Eshiakulo Secondary School and Khabakaya Primary School. - What did you like most about volunteering?
As a teacher I liked to visit local schools and share ideas and thoughts with other teachers. It was interesting to see how they teach. - What was surprising?
Can’t say that there was something surprising, I was well prepared. - What kind of additional information would you have liked to know before going to Kenya?
NGO Mondo gave me a good overview about life in Shianda. Before going to Kenya I read articles and books and watched some documentaries about Kenya. So, I can say that I was quite well prepared. - For what kind of difficulties the new volunteers should prepare themselves for?
It depends on person, but maybe heat, cultural differences, exotical diseases and getting too much attention. - Tell about your favourite experience from Kenya.
I travelled around a little bit in Kenya. For me it was an interesting and exotical experience. Probably my favourite experience was how I got lost in national park. You should always listen to the park ranger! I learned my lesson :). - Do you miss something from Kenya/Shianda?
I started to enjoy this kind of “no-rush-hakuna-matata” lifestyle. The most I miss smiling people and simplicity of life. - Any other comments.
Just go to Kenya and find it out yourself:).