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IMANI BACKGROUND

LANGUAGE:ENGLISH

This centre was established in Kayole Matopeni in 1996.It provides temporary shelter as it is a preparation house for exit. It has a capacity of 100 children of both sexes and of ages 3 to 12 years. A small array of livestock and poultry (cows, goats, chicken, geese, ducks, and rabbits) is kept in Imani “B”. This provides at least part of the daily requirement for dairy products, but also allows the children to get acquainted with animal rearing, as part of the rehabilitation activities.Imani Rehabilitation Agency is registered under Section 63(1) Reg no. 4974(3) with the Ministry of Home Affairs and National Heritage.  Imani has seven rescue and rehabilitation centres for:

-Abandoned children-Orphaned children without any known responsible guardian-Children of imprisoned parents-Lost and Found children-Children forced into early marriages-Physically and sexually abused children

The centres provide temporary care and enhance parental care and guidance, quality education and primary health care to the children before they are reintegrated back to the society through: -Adoption-Foster care-Reintegration.

The 1st day of April 1992 was the birth of a haven specially meant for the destitute and unwanted in the society. Here they would be received with open arms and equipped with enough skills so as to fit within the society. This was an initiative of a real philanthropist Ms Faith who sacrificed her passion in fashion and design to ensure that a child in need got a roof, food and shelter. The centre began with 15 street children rescued from the city of Nairobi. The path she decided to follow was so uncertain; a life which was surrounded by many challenges and discouragement, she had the courage and positive attitude to fulfill what she had already realized in her and for all.

By 1993, Imani was working with orphans, and children from desperate families in Soweto slums in addition to the street children. At this time the number of children under Imani custody had risen from 15 to 91.In 1994 Imani children’s home was registered under the ministry of culture and social services, Home affairs and National Heritage. In the same year, Imani started networking closely with the community and acted as a bridge between the slums and the streets.

In 1995, there were so many streets and slum children living around the scenes of Imani Home. It is in the same year that Imani’s pioneer felt a great urge to extend the facilities to reach more needy children which led to the birth of another branch in 1996 at Kayole Matopeni slums to reach out for the street groups who were doing all sorts of juvenile crimes around the area. In 1999 Imani received their first abandoned baby which resulted to the setting up of a babies unit to address the emerging plights of abandoned babies. On average Imani has rehabilitated over two thousand children and currently we have 350 in house children who are benefitting from our programmes.

Presently, Imani is made up of seven different centres which cater for vulnerable children as per their needs. The environment provides physical and emotional support, spiritual nurturing and lots of tender loving care. We encourage and give hope to each and every child and we assist them to know that God loves them and that He has a plan and a future for them. With the right help and committed support we help these children turn their lives around.

Over the years Imani has steadily grown both in size and quality moving from an individual initiative to an organization based structure. It presently caters for 350 children including babies from one day old to 18 years (abandoned, orphaned and vulnerable children and those neglected. Imani strives to help these children understand that being orphaned or vulnerable is not their identity by offering a Godly home, a loving and a family environment. We identify, develop each child’s unique and special talents, teach, transform and train the children through education and mentorship. We believe that every child deserves the best start in life and a chance to fulfill their potential we therefore support them, stand up for them and bring out the best in each and every child.

MAIN WORK AND ACTIVITIES

Teaching English (1-2 hours a day) to children,Organizing games, drawing, singing, dancing, and other creative education and extracurricular activities, Taking kids on Playgrounds, Helping kids to do homework, monitor academic progress, and make sure kids complete their homework, Sanitation (helping kids in brushing teeth, shower, and personal hygiene),Child care services for orphans who cannot go to school, Help kids to dress up and reach school safely, Help with administration, running errands etc,Help in other activities or programs designed for kids.
 

Community outreach activities. Through working in close partnership with the community and the department of children protection centre, we receive information about children abandonment and neglect. Through extensive network with the local authorities we manage to provide appropriate interventions to such children and put emphasis on the importance of children living within their family units.
We also offer extensive support services to walk in clients who are faced with diverse life predicaments such as tabooed children, unemployment, terminal illness and broken marriages. Among the cases we provided food baskets and situation management alternatives such as referrals, counseling and temporary shelter, education and maintenance support.

Parent care &guidance. By offering a loving and a family environment, Imani strives to help these children understand that being orphaned or vulnerable is not their identity. We also identify, develop each child’s unique and special talents, teach, transform and train the children through education and mentorship. The environment provides physical and emotional support, spiritual nurturing and lots of tender loving care.

In order to optimize the rehabilitative component in working with our children, we have counselors who undertake sessions with the children through group sessions and on a personal level.

Health care. Mani endeavors that each and every child receives medical care in the event of sickness. Due to the vital medical  attention needed for fragile immune systems, there are care givers who work in rotation caring for the children day and night. Imani also gives extensive care to its 5% HIV infected and 5% handicapped children.

GENERAL QUALIFICATION

Best motivation for the volunteer work (Special Good skills and power are not necessary)

Responsibility to keep rules of GVDA and partner organization in community and co-operative to run the work camps.

Best effort to understand and respect cultures (both of the host community and other volunteers)

Open minded to make friendship (with trying to speak English in the groups and local languages.)

To adapt and enjoy simple conditions (of the living such as food and accommodation.)

Though it will be very fun and dramatic time for you, if your motivation is only for enjoying holidays, please don’t apply and do just travel. If it is more for voluntary services to make a better world place and friendship with local people and other volunteers, you are superwelcome!!

To initiate and create willingness to gain experience of work and live in a group of teaching goals for the sake of other people in the community.

GVDA Volunteer Programme offers one of the most affordable volunteer summer programmes in Kenya, in this competitive and expensive time compared to many International agencies but we are committed to provide excellent and quality programmes.

Education. Quality education is one of the most important steps towards reintegration to society and has a dramatic impact on our children’s future. Imani plays a vital role in meeting this fundamental right to children under its care. Teaching and educating them.

Reintegration. Some of the children within the Imani centres have known parents and their being in Imani is sometimes due to vulnerabilities which result to the child being placed within our care as the parents find a means to support the children. These children are housed temporarily as they are being prepared for reintegration with their families.

 This is achieved with time where activities involving extensive case work, group work, community assessment, field visits, follow ups and collaborations with major external institutions are conducted.

Foster care, This is temporary care given to children who would have normally been living and struggling in the depths of poverty and isolation and through this program will be able to lead regular lives, interact with other children, be valued and invested in as integral assets for the future

Accommodation	Volunteers will stay in the host family. Accommodations are very simple, there is running water and meals will be prepared by volunteers. Beds and Mattresses will be provided.
Volunteers Skills and Interests	Participants should have a positive attitude, be ready to adopt and enjoy simple living conditions, be flexible and patient motivated to learn about conservation, to work with children and adults and ability to speak English.
Project Fees	250 EUROS which includes project work, housing, all Meals, transport from the airport pick up/return and to the project site, and 24 hours on side staff support.
Orientation	Orientation will begin in the morning of the 10th December2017 at GVDA offices and you will be Picked up from accommodation and taken to the orientation will be conducted by GVDA staff in Nairobi and cover everything you need to know about your project placement. Introduction to Kenya, language and expectations, safety, travel opportunities in Kenya, introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details and socializing.
Leisure activities	Most of our free time will be spent sharing culture and friendship with local community members and the other volunteers on the project. There will be an opportunity to visit a local market, visit giraffe centre, NairobiNational parkmuseums etc.