This is our
Story
June 2012
First Discovery
- During his first trip through East Africa, Torsten discovered the Korando Educational Centre and Mama Dolfine. Her dedication moved him, and he quickly raised funds to build a classroom, showers, buy chickens, and a computer. Although he had to leave after just 7 days, Mama and the children stayed in his heart, and he promised himself to return.
January 9th, 2015
Founded
- On January 9th, 2015, Torsten fulfilled his promise. Along with his friend Mathilde, he embarked on a 5,200 km, 60-day overland journey from South Africa to Kenya, crossing Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda. The project aimed to raise awareness and funds for a new school building at the Korando Educational Centre
April 2015
Construction Begins
- In April 2015, with just $3,000 and a mountain of faith, Torsten began constructing Africa’s first Volunteer Dome House. Designed as a Symbol of Hope, the project aimed to attract volunteers and global media attention to support Mama Dolfine and the children of Korando. Within a few month the plan succeeded, when it was featured in major global media outlets.
June 2015
Our First Volunteer
- Within just a few months, word spread and volunteers started to apply. By June 2015, we welcomed our very first volunteer, officially launching our program. Things moved so fast that Torsten had to turn Mama Dolfine’s cozy living room into a makeshift dormitory to accommodate everyone. It was a whirlwind that marked the beginning of something truly special
July 2016
Symbol of Hope
- After over a year of raising funds and housing volunteers in Mama’s house, construction of our yellow Dome House finally completed. Until today it is a testimony of the power of unshakable faith in ones dream and continues to inspire the children, the volunteers and the community at large
January 2020
New School Building
- Twenty-three years after Mama Dolfine started the Centre, our shared dream of a real school building finally became a reality. Thanks to the Ripple Effect Project, a new six-classroom structure was inaugurated in January 2020, marking a major milestone in Korando’s and Better Me’s journey
today
Better Me
- Our volunteer program and methodology became such a success, that we expanded into other institutions and countless schools throughout the greater Lake Region around Kisumu. Today, we are reaching over 16,000 children and youth per year, and have hosted more than 150 volunteers. Our yellow T-shirts and uplifting energy have become a signature sight in Kisumu and beyond.
[Explore our Volunteer Programs…]