Volunteer Program at Hekima Place
Composition
Hekima Place, a home for orphaned girls, was founded by Kate Fletcher in 2005. It has a permanent staff of house mums, day staff, uncles and admin staff. The children live in three houses with resident house mums , and our purpose is to give the children a sense of family life.
Hekima Place is located on a beautiful compound in a safe neighborhood in Karen, a suburb of Nairobi. Karen shopping centre is approximately a 45 minute walk (or 10 minute drive). It has a post office, banks, chemists, cyber cafes, a variety of retail stores and restaurants and supermarkets. Nakumatt, the largest supermarket, has food, toiletries, cleaning products, kitchenware, books, electronics, etc.
Maisha House (babies to Class 4), Baraka House (Class 5 to Class 7) and Tumaini House (Class 8, and day scholars in Highschool & University) each has at least 2 residential mums on duty 24 hours, who are responsible for taking care of the children. We also have 'day mums' to assist with cooking, cleaning and laundry. Volunteers work closely with the mums. Please respect the mums as you would a child's natural parent. Check with the mums or the Program Manager for suggestions on ways to spend quality time with the children, or permission to take them on trips.
Within the 6-acre compound, there are three residences, 2 large shambas (gardens), play areas, soccer pitch, volleyball area and the administrative offices. In 2008, a borehole was completed ensuring a constant supply of safe drinking water.
Hekima Place volunteers are role models for our children. Therefore, we expect their behavior to reflect the morals and values that we teach the children.
Many volunteers feel a need to indulge the children or feel guilty about correcting misbehavior, due to a feeling of sympathy for their life circumstances. These children, like any others, need consistency, discipline and boundaries. The best people to ask about what is appropriate are the mums or the Program Manager.
Volunteers are an asset and can contribute a great deal to Hekima Place. They can make a tremendous impact on the lives of our children. Our staff and children welcome and enjoy spending time getting to know volunteers. Hekima Place is not an orphanage, but a home-a large extended family. Most volunteers will find the time they spend here with the children to be incredibly fulfilling.
How to Apply
Volunteers should be 18 years of age and in good health.
Please include:
- Resume
- Application
- Child Abuse History from the State you reside in
- Criminal Record Check from the State you reside in
- Signed and dated Hold harmless agreement
Send a Resume and Application to Louise at louisefos@gmail.com
When your volunteer schedule is set you will need to mail a copy of all paperwork to:
Louise Foster
328 Bellwalt Dr.
McMurray, PA. 15317
For general information, please contact:
Louise Foster, Volunteer Coordinator: louisefos@gmail.com