Testimonies-kenya

Evaluation Form

Name: Ty (Tae Yeob) Kim
Country of Volunteer Program: Orphanage project in Kenya

Please rate the following as 1--poor, 2--good, 3--very good or 4-- excellent:

Please summarize your about volunteer experience (please attach extra sheet if necessary) with IFRE.

The volunteer project that I had the opportunity to attend has been an invaluable experience as an individual and as a student pursuing higher education. Being so accustomed to the way of life that we have in North America, Kenya was a completely new and foreign to me. The way of life, everything from customs and traditions to transportation and food was very different from what I was used to and it definitely took some getting used to. However, the staff at IFRE, the host family, and all the staff associated with the projects were very helpful in providing everything I needed and definitely made my stay in Kenya worthwhile. I had an
amazing time during the orientation, volunteer project, and the safari. I would highly encourage others to take the opportunity to volunteer abroad.

Do you recommend IFRE program for others (please circle)   Yes No

Can we pass your e-mail to interested potential volunteers? If yes, e-mail: Yes, that’s fine. My personal e-mail address is: ty.k@live.com

Hi,

I left Kenya yesterday and I had a brilliant experience. I stayed with Beatrice and she was a fantastic host. The project in Nairobi was so rewarding. St Dorcas is a lovely place full of very humble yet brilliant people. I am attaching some pictures of my stay. I also was able to return to Nakuru at the weekend to visit some people that I hadn't seen in 6 years. It was an amazing experience to go back to somewhere I volunteered in years ago and see the developments that had taken place.

Thank you for this opportunity, it was completely worthwhile and very affordable for my low budget. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a bit of an eye-opening adventure. I have gained a lot of perspective in the last couple of weeks and took on my role as part of the community.

Thanks again,
Jessica Rees

Thankyou to the US office and staff for employing such a wonderful host family in Kenya

I wanted to express my gratitude and appreciation of Pst Ian, his wife Edith and their family, as they were extremely good to me.  They welcomed me into their family with open arms and always looked after me.  They took me places i wanted to visit, they cooked me food i wanted to try....and if there was something i really had trouble eating, they would make an alternative for me.  They really involved me in their everyday lives and showed me their culture in Kenya .  Even without me asking, they contacted my Mum (as they knew she was concerned), to let her know i was on a plane safely to Bangkok .  I really appreciate everything they did for me and i wish them all the best.....and a big thankyou to the US office and staff for employing such a wonderful host family in Kenya .

Kind regards,
Rebecca Holdman

My Kenya experience

I'll definitely never forget these children and the memories we shared and the lessons they taught me about life. The pictures definitely cannot do the experience justice, but hopefully with this little write up the pictures will mean more and become more full of life.

Possibly one of the greatest parts of the program was the ability to be immersed into the Kenyan culture by living with a family. I couldn't have asked for a nicer family - they were a family of four - June (mom), Anderson (dad), Trevor (4 year old son), and Tracy (1 year old). Also living with them was June's younger brother, Arthur, and their housegirl, Ezna. The house was outside of Nairobi in a lower middle-class estate - it contained 3 bedrooms, two baths, electricity and running water. I learned so much from these wonderful people - not only about Kenya , but about life. Yes their life was not full of luxury and riches, but again they couldn't have been happier and didn't ever let on that they would have it any other way!

Please read poem of two my students.

Jenna Smith