This week I completed a debriefing questionnaire for SpanAfrica about my experience in Kenya. I thought it might be helpful to share on the blog as it provoked me to think about my volunteer work from not only the happy-traveler perspective, but also with a critical eye for improvement of future volunteer experiences.
What work did you do with the organization/s, and what was the level of independence involved?
When I first arrived in Kenya I met with the Director of Wakibe, Margaret Wainaina, to plan my involvement during the three months. We discussed y previous experience with management and decided my time would be best spent in the hotel/bakery. It was a goal of mine to help the women’s efforts be more sustainable by encouraging their work and introducing advertising and sales techniques to boost productivity. Margaret was clear from the beginning that she wanted to be kept in the line of communication with what was happening at the hotel but that she would remain in the clinic and mostly hands-off from the daily routine of the hotel.
Do you have any ideas for future projects other volunteers could plan for at this organization/s, or important information about the specific project you worked on for future volunteers?
To be honest I think future volunteers at Wakibe should have a project in mind before arriving. Before my coming to Kenya I tried to email Margaret to learn what was needed at the organization but did not receive specific information. Because I did not have much direction before coming to Wakibe I spent the first two weeks making my own assessment of the organization’s needs and asking Margaret if my goals were on-target with her goals. I get the sense that she does not use email often and perhaps communication for future volunteers could come through SpanAfrica directors. If little communication takes place between the future volunteer and the director of the organization I imagine most volunteers would have a similar experience.
From my perspective I believe Wakibe would benefit greatly from capacity building and leadership training. The women in the support group are not highly involved in the day-to-day routine and yet they are the people who Wakibe should be benefiting most. Also, with Margaret’s insistence on being more hands-off outside of the clinic, I think more effort could be placed on training managers to take on more responsibility at the school, hotel/bakery, and other income-generating projects.
One of the biggest challenges I experienced was the fact that Margaret indicated she would prefer to not be involved with the hotel/bakery and school, and would like for someone else to take on responsibility in those areas of the organization. I saw that her lack of direct involvement in these areas has been discouraging for employees. If one or two people could be trained to oversee these areas, there would be more motivation from the staff and sustainable changes could be implemented. I worry about the development of Wakibe with its existing structures.
Do you plan on continuing to work with your placement organization, either through fundraising, returning as a volunteer, or through other activities?
I do plan to stay involved with Wakibe and I hope for some positive changes to take place. Unfortunately I had a difficult time connecting personally with Margaret and as a result do not anticipate a lasting relationship with her, but instead one with the organization. I will certainly remain in contact with a number of the women at Wakibe and hope to support them in the future with fundraising.
Any quotes, or interesting stories, concerning the impact volunteering or just being in Africa had on you?
At this point I don’t even know where to begin in answering this question! I learned so much from this experience about the good/bad, wonderful/terrible things going on in Kenya and development work. I was really challenged to make an impact in the lives of people at Wakibe and they certainly impacted me. I now have a much better understanding of how to make change in the lives of disadvantaged people and how their circumstances are intertwined with poverty and the systems that keep them down. Volunteers make a big difference on a small scale which is why development is so difficult! I’ve learned how important it is as a volunteer to notice the small differences that are made in the lives of individuals and how to translate knowledge to support the grassroots organization.
What challenges did you face while volunteering or being in Africa, whether related to the organization you worked with, or personal?
So many challenges…I’ve been asked by friends and family to describe the most important lesson I learned I Kenya, and my answer comes fro the challenges I faced. I had difficulty in communicating with both the director of Wakibe and my first homestay. As a volunteer these were the two people I interacted with most closely.
With Margaret I got the sense that she didn’t understand me and at first thought it was a language barrier. I learned from other people at Wakibe that she spoke condescendingly to English and Swahili speakers. I believe she is overwhelmed with her work-load at Wakibe and would like to step back from some of her responsibilities. As a volunteer coming into the organization very excited about making changes, I was met with a lot of resistance from Margaret.
Another communication challenges occurred with my first homestay, Pitty, who gave me the impression that she was more interested in hosting a volunteer for the financial gain rather than the relationship. We had a hard time communicating and I didn’t feel she wanted to get to know me or the work I was doing in Kenya.
The lesson I learned from these communication issues was incredibly important because I realized I wasn’t alone in the experience. Ruth and Amos helped me talk about the challenges was facing and insisted I didn’t have to face them alone. It was a lesson in cultural differences because as Americans we are taught to deal with our problems independently. In Kenya, and I believe in the SpanAfrica network, there is a strong sense of community support. I had to learn to be open and discuss my challenges but felt much better about the outcome when I did just that.
How did you find the housing, food, and other basics of living in Kenya?
Both of my homestays were comfortable in accommodation- the second was of course much better with emotional support! After switching my homestay I felt welcome and really enjoyed the time I spent with them people. The Kenyan food was fun to learn about but it lacks flavor and variety. I never got sick from the food, just sick of it! Overall the accommodations were very pleasant. I appreciated having a bed, electricity, and running water. If I had been in a homestay without running water or electricity I think it would have been a slower transition and larger culture shock. While some of these amenities were not always working (the joys of living in a developing country) I really learned to appreciate what we had. I now know that above all, the character of the people in the homestay is much more important than the amenities offered.
What was your approximate daily budget?
Because food and water were covered with the homestay costs, I believe my money was primarily spent on transport to Wakibe (40 shillings per day, airtime for my mobile, and time at the cyber café. Not all of these costs were daily but I would say on average I only spent a few US dollars per day.
Did you do any traveling while in Kenya? If so to where, and how did it go?
I traveled more than I had planned while in Kenya! I was fortunate to go to Western Kenya in my first week, which was an excellent orientation. I appreciated seeing different ways of living—In cities and rural areas—right away. It also gave me a better understanding of the culture as I met family members and learned about visitors and eating habits.
I visited several SpanAfrica partners and potential partner organizations in Isiolo and Nakuru which made me feel like I was supporting SpanAfrica and learning more about how grassroots projects function. I spent a great deal of time in Nakuru with Ruth and Amos who were my family in Kenya- they were incredibly supportive to me throughout my stay and I can’t thank them enough for always welcoming me and enjoying the experience of volunteering with me!
On my own I traveled to Mombasa, on the coast, and Masai Mara for a safari. While these trips were more expensive than others and certainly more expensive than staying in Nairobi, I was very happy to have budgeted for the expense. Kenya is incredibly diverse in its environment and people so by traveling I learned so much about the country (I visited all but one province!).
Would you recommend SpanAfrica to other potential volunteers?
Absolutely! I already boast about the network and the wonderful experience I’ve had with SpanAfrica. I am excited to support in the recruitment of future volunteers. I would recommend it for so many reasons. I chose SpanAfrica for my volunteer experience because I was impressed by the focus on grassroots development and the volunteer’s experience. The cost is lower than many other international volunteer programs and the small amount money clearly goes directly to the volunteer’s experience. What I couldn’t have expected before going to Kenya was the network and support that all SpanAfrica members seem to provide. I so appreciated the emails and phone calls from all directors, and the genuine interest in making it the best possible experience for me as a volunteer.
