VOLUNTEERING ON EDUCATION PROJECTS

It is estimated that less than half of Maasai children attend schools. Teaching volunteers are needed urgently to help reverse this trend.

Volunteers educate children at primary school level. Subjects taught include English, mathematics, science and social studies. Volunteers are encouraged to initiate extra-curricular activities such as arts and crafts, reading groups, drama, music and sports.

Kenyan classrooms will be different from volunteers' past experience. At best, a standard classroom may consist of chairs and a chalkboard with little else. Students often find themselves sharing textbooks if they are available.

Each grade has its own classroom with 30 to 50 students. The school day begins at 7:50 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. There are eight classes a day with several breaks. After 3 p.m. students engage in activities such as sports, debating or tend to homework.

Regular teaching staff is made up of paid, local volunteers. Volunteers may work as the sole teacher in the classroom or in partnership with a Kenyan teacher. Sometimes Kenyan teachers step down in favor of the MANDO volunteer taking their classes. We do not encourage this and strongly recommend that volunteers work in partnership with Kenyan teachers to introduce new skills, knowledge and teaching methods that can be carried on after the volunteer leaves. Working in partnership, volunteers are also exposed to other ways of doing things.

The level of English language skills of class members often differs, and volunteers are expected to accommodate these.

School is in session three months at a time (January to March, May to July, September to November) with a month break in between. Exams occur at the end of the term. Volunteers working during exam time are expected to help prepare students for exams and grade them.

Note: Work expected of volunteers is subject to the needs of a particular project and their own experience and skills.