Volunteer Name: Tiffany Tsang
Project Location: Kirithani Village, Kenya
Volunteered At: Orphanage / Child care
What was your favorite memory of this trip?
Way too many great memories from this trip! One of them was when I was playing volleyball with the kids. Although I’ve only known them for a few weeks, it felt like we were friends for a long time!
What was the most difficult thing you experienced?
Saying goodbye. It was also very frustrating knowing I can only help so little in improving the living conditions in the orphanage.
What was the one thing you wished you were better prepared for?
Instead of giving away all my school supplies to the school, I should have gave some to the children in the orphanage as they lack stationary to do their schoolwork. Bring lots of snacks (candy, chips), the kids really like to eat those. Bring enough so you can evenly distribute so everyone can get some.
Any tips for future volunteers… (clothing, travel, personal items, donations, sightseeing etc)
Get a soccer/volleyball for the orphanage. We brought two soccer balls for them, but the staff gave them away to the school instead. Bring clothing you wouldn’t wear again so you can give them away on your last day. And bring lots of toilet paper!!
How would you describe/rate your experience working with the ABV staff in the USA? Sarah was very helpful in answering all my questions. She also sent me lots of information I needed to know to prepare myself for the trip.
How was the local ABV Director and the support provided in-country? Geoffrey picked us up from the airport and helped us exchange currency. I didn’t see him until the last day when he drove us to the airport. But there wasn’t a time that I needed support provided in-country.
Personal Paragraph (ABV Program Testimonial):
This trip was such an experience for me. It really open up my perspective of the world. You soon realize that being abroad changes your perspective of where you come from. I feel like we take a lot of things for granted at home. I am more concerned and aware of the problems facing the world. I read all about poverty in textbooks at school, but to see it with my own eyes is a completely different story. I learn to be proactive during my stay at the orphanage. Washing the dishes, milking the goats/cows, watering trees, cooking, and helping the children with schoolwork. But aside from that, I think the best that happened was the relationships I have built with the children. When I have the chance, I will definitely go back and visit.
Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers? Of course!