Volunteer Teaching and Childcare at Mombasa Junior School

This junior school is located Mombasa town. It has a total population of 270 pupils and 25 teaching and non-teaching staff. Plans are underway to have a boarding section too. The initial need was to assist poor families who cannot afford a high cost school.

The school has 12 classrooms, one staffroom, one administration office, and a computer lab. Our aim is to provide a safe secure and a stimulating environment in which effective learning can take place. Based on the fact that Education is “the passport to life” and on our motto “Beyold Academic Excellence”, the entire Tabby Junior School staff has set out to lead pupils along the path towards becoming life-long learners, people who are willing to further their knowledge with a solid ethical foundation, and citizens that are able to live in harmony with others not only because they understand that differences enrich us all, but also because they are thoroughly confident of their own abilities, skills, and talents.

Combine your volunteer break with a beach stay, Safari, water sports, diving trip as Mombasa is has so much too offer. Email for further details.

Pupils’ Background
Many of the children at Tabby come from average and poor families, some coming from the slum area of Mombasa. This creates the need to get extra support for the school to achieve the set goals. Our plan is to give service to about 700 children.

Admission Policy
Interviews are done before admission. The intake is based on academic merit. Admission normally starts in Baby Class, Kindergarten and then the Primary section.

Baby-Class & Kindergarten.
We have a carefully planned pre-school induction programme to make the transition from home to school sensitive and appropriate to the need of the child and parent. Learning takes place in a conducive environment where first hand learning experiences encourage the development of imagination, creativity and the enjoyment of learning. What children can do, rather than what they cannot do is the main emphasis. Structured play is important, as playing and speaking are the main ways through which children learn about themselves and the world around them. During this stage, early learning goals set out what most children are expected to achieve by the end of the kindergarten.

MAIN CHALLENGES FACING THE SCHOOL
1. Water Scarcity: There is an urgent need to dig a borehole
2. Feeding Programme-: We have a feeding programme but have no kitchen and the facilities required. Cookers, saucepans, cutlery, plates
3. Boarding Facilities - We have the space but missing beds and mattresses, pillows, bed sheets, to help these kids from hassles of traveling far to and from school.
4. We have only one very old piano serving the whole school. The children like music and musical instruments would motivate them. In the long run, we intend to set up an orchestra, and instruments such as percussions, cellos, violins, guitars, trumpets, clarinets, saxophones pianos/organs and other associated equipment would go a long way in realizing the dream.
5. Some children come from very far to attend school and the challenge is transport. We urgently need three school vans.
6. Computer classes: We need 30 computers and related apparatus to set up a networked lab.
7. Swings and slides for the kindergarten and ECD classes. Playing toys are also very necessary.
8. There is a lot of mud along the walking paths in the school during wet season. To get rid of this annoyance, we need to pave all the walk ways.
9. Textbooks / teaching/ learning materials for all classes. Many children do not have the relevant text and exercise books and other stationeries required. Library books for general reading would also motivate a large number to join the school.
10. Furniture: the school has a shortfall of 200 desks and chairs.
11. Fans: with average temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius and 98% humidity, Mombasa can be uncomfortable and not very conducive to learners. We have only 20 roof-mounted and need an additional 50.
 

Caring, flexible volunteers from any background. Providing your willing to muck-in with all the tasks involved with the running of a  school, you will have a wonderfully rewarding time. Of course, if you have specific skills and abilities you wish to put to use then let us know at time of booking so we can customize your experience.

Inspire provide a carefully selected host family with ample space and good levels of comfort. For bigger groups of between five and twenty we Inspire will get the group a nice secure beach hotel. (extra cost) Superior accommodation also available.

This placement would best suit a person looking to set out on a philanthropic mission laced with a bit of fun and adventure. Working here would be sure to give you a really genuine feeling of contributing to a developing country. Placements like this go beyond what most volunteer firms would dream of offering. This is the real world experience and one a single person armed with some hope, a few dollars and an open mind could change these lives forever. Even those who just have their enthusiasm and love for helping others would be sure to get a great time.

It is usually said of Kenya that, “A visit to Kenya without a stop at Mombasa is no visit to Kenya” The city is a wash with activities ranging from swimming to basking on the White sandy beaches. For a memorable swim, a trip to Kisite Marine Park. Imagine taking a swim around  a perfectly white sandy island at the middle of nowhere. Mombasa is surrounded with a number animal parks including Tsavo National park that is three hours away. Shimba hills game reserve where some of the biggest elephants in the world are found is also a couple of kilometers away from the city. For nature lovers, there are loads of aquatic flora and fauna, and topography to marvel at. The southern coast of Mombasa is full of lagoons to snorkel in as well as a visit to the Mangrove swamps where you can canoe and spot the crocodiles! In Mombasa the party never stops for the out going people. The placement and accommodation is a short taxi ride to the white sand beaches where you can spend your time off. Mombasa has a thriving shopping center where you will find bars, cafes and banks.
( We can add on a Safari when you are in Kenya. You don't have to book in advance if you have not made your mind up.)

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