Volunteering KENYA 2015

Hello everyone!

My name is Mateusz (Matthew). I am 19 years old and am a full-time student at Coventry University (BEng Autotmotive Engineering course).

I am going to undertake a voluntary work in Iten (Kenya) from 18th to 29th March this year.

Visiting poor countries helps me to appreciate my everyday situation and things which are common in the living environment. My last trip to Georgia made me a much more sensitive person. It is said when people lose something, they start to appreciate what they had lost. Many of my abroad trips caused, that I can confirm it. My trip to Kenya shall change the way of my thinking for sure, because helping other people is a great experience but requires a high motivation and responsibility. It will be an unforgettable experience to have a contact with mainly young people who always smile, even if they do not have many simple belongings like modern shoes, laptops or mobile phones. Discovering the secret of happiness and grateful is my priority during this project. I am sure that students or people in general who have almost everything should share with their passion and motivation by helping people who are in need.

In cooperation with Simbolei Academy I will be helping with instructional and recreational activities at Kimuchi Primary, Simbolei Primary Academy and Kiptingo Primary- primary schools located near Iten. I shall also help with construction of storage cabinets for books to be placed in the community center at Simbolei Girls', at Simbolei Primary and at Nyawa Primary. I will be supervised by Kipchumba Sirma, project manager for Simbolei Academy in Iten, Kenya.

The place- Iten is not a random place for me. I have choosen this small village, because of my second biggest passion just after travelling, which is running. I have trained orienteering for almost 9 years, (successfully representing Poland in Junior World Orienteering Championships in the Czech Republic in 2013) which has positively impacted on my everyday attitude. The village is very well known as a "Home of Champions"- the home for many Olympic medallists, especially in track and field disciplines. Travelling to Africa and understanding how Kenyan people reach the best running results and brake the world running records have been always my dream.

I am here to ask for your financial help, not only to cover a small part of my travelling costs, but mainly to help young Kenyan children who learn in above local schools. Buying and providing them a proper learning stuff and lead literacy classes will encourage them to gain a knowledge to change the life of many local people in a few following years.

If you also have any books appropriate for English beginners, then please let me know.

I would really appreciate every donation. Let's change the World together!!!

Best wishes,

Mateusz