Kelvin Opondo
Youth Programs Coordinator
Kelvin is the Youth Programs Coordinator at Better Me Kenya. He has been involved in community work in Kenya since 2006, bringing people together and helping young people discover their strengths. His experiences working with people from different countries continue to shape his approach.
What inspired you to join Better Me, and what keeps you motivated?
My passion for working with young people, children and women in the community. Through my travels across several African countries and Asia, I met people who shared a strong desire to see positive change in young people’s lives. That inspired me to bring change within my own community.
What keeps me going is the joy this work brings. There are always challenges, but I also see progress. Sometimes it is small: someone gains a new perspective, finds confidence or feels joy again. Being part of that change means a lot to me.
What does a typical day look like for you?
When I arrive, I spend time with the children at the centre and check in with our international volunteers. Then we go through the activities planned for the day, both at Better Me and with our partners.
I also call community members and arrange visits. Depending on what is needed, the day might involve support sessions, community events or household visits. Every day brings something different.
What programs are you currently working on?
Much of my work involves life skills sessions and psychosocial support in schools and government rehabilitation centres for young people. We also run sports for well-being, art activities and events with other community organisations.
Together with local partners, we create spaces where people can speak openly about their experiences and challenges. I want young people to feel heard and receive support that helps them in their everyday lives.
What do you enjoy most about your job, and what do you find difficult?
I enjoy welcoming new volunteers at the airport. Every person brings a new experience and something I can learn. I also love seeing a mental wellness event run successfully or doing something meaningful with young people at a rehabilitation centre.
Then there are the shared moments: cooking together, trying food from different countries and getting to know each other.
The difficult part is saying goodbye. You work together and become close, and then their time is over. We keep in touch, and thankfully some volunteers return to continue the work they started.
How have your international experiences shaped your work?
Meeting people from different countries has changed how I look at community challenges. Despite differences in culture, religion and education, many of the challenges we face are similar.
Some issues we are dealing with here have already been experienced elsewhere, particularly around mental health and lifestyle. Learning from those experiences helps me consider different approaches and think about what could work in our own community.
What makes Better Me special to you, and what can volunteers take away?
For me, it is our mentorship work and the opportunity to reach young people through schools and community spaces. We can listen, offer guidance and discuss things that young people may not otherwise have space to talk about.
Volunteers bring different skills and ideas, and we support them in contributing to that work. I hope they gain practical experience, learn from others and question some of the assumptions they arrived with. If you come with an open mind, there is a lot to learn about other people and yourself.
What advice would you give someone coming to volunteer with Better Me?
Think about why you want to volunteer and what you can contribute, while staying open to things being different from what you expected.
The Kenya you imagine and the Kenya you experience may be different. Food, climate, language and everyday routines might feel unfamiliar. Give yourself time to settle in. If another task comes up, speak with the team about whether it fits your skills and interests. You may discover something meaningful that you had not considered before.
What are your hopes for Better Me’s future?
I hope we can welcome more volunteers and bring our programs to more places in Kenya.
Above all, I want to help young people discover the inner strength they carry. When they begin to trust themselves, they can recognise their talents and find their own path. I believe each of us holds a piece of a bigger puzzle. When we understand that everyone has a place, we can embrace our differences and work together to create change.
