I found out about BetterMe through complete chance back in 2023 after seeing a post on social media from a former volunteer and once I learnt more about the organisation, I knew it was the one for me. Fast forward to 2025 and here I am, having arrived here 5 weeks ago, on my gap year!
Before my arrival, I was really unsure on what to expect and was admittedly quite worried, having never been to Africa before. However, from the moment I spotted Kelvin, Tom and some of the other volunteers at the airport my anxieties reduced considerably with their warm welcome putting me at ease.
I vividly remember the short drive back from the airport to the dome home and being shocked at the environment that surrounded me, so different from life back in England!
When I arrived at Korando I was kindly greeted by all the remaining volunteers and given a tour of the school, where the boarding children live and where I would be calling home for the next 6 weeks.
A regular week consists of daily swimming lessons, English and Life Skills lessons at Remand (a rehabilitation centre), art classes at St Williams and Korando as well as team meetings and lesson planning.
However, I use the word ‘regular’ very loosely as no two days here are the same, with each one bringing new experiences, lessons and memories.
A favourite memory of mine that gave me a great sense of fulfilment is reading with the younger children. Usually they can’t stay focused for longer than two minutes but when we sit down they crowd round and listen closely, demanding book after book for me to read!
Alongside impactful moments like these, I have really enjoyed spending the evenings with the children, attending their daily church service and then sitting down to chat afterwards. Finding out their stories, likes and dislikes and dreams for the future has created a strong bond between me and many of the children which means the goodbye next week will be immensely difficult!
One thing I struggled with throughout this experience is the feeling of guilt when faced with the stark contrast between being born into a life of privilege opposed to a life of poverty due to no other reason than a lack of geographical luck. I felt this everywhere I went, whether that was at the centre or when we went out on excursions into surrounding areas, this was a common feeling between all the volunteers at the time. We had a mutual feeling of everything we are doing not being enough and that it was never going to be.
The harsh reality is that that is true – it’s unrealistic to come here expecting to create lasting change and truly help the children you interact with. Instead, we focused on the actuality that one person cannot create change because change is a collective effort – so although our impact individually is minor, we are a part of a bigger picture that will eventually create a degree of change we hope for when visiting.
Something I kept circling back to throughout my time here was a phrase Tom said to me as I left the airport on the first day I arrived:
“this experience will be what you make of it”
and that is something I’ve tried to remind myself of every day; taking every opportunity, attending every activity, spending as much time getting to know the kids as possible and being present in the moment every chance I could.
As a result, I’ve had an impactful, intense and profound time here that will stay with me for life – there have been many ups and downs and definitely hasn’t always been easy, but I would not change a single thing.
I’d recommend everyone who comes to volunteer in Kenya to follow Tom’s advice of arriving with an open mind in order to leave with a fulfilled heart!
Asante sana,
Eloisa
