One of our biggest trips for volunteers involved a team of young people from Chipping Campden Baptist Church. The team was made up of 18 people altogether. They did a fantastic job! - Playing with and encouraging the children, training our older children to become young leaders and building a traditional house for one of our community members. (Pictured above).

Chloe, (One of the young people for the Chipping Campden team), wrote about her experience in our November 2010 newsletter.

Unforgettable!
Chloe’s life changing visit to Kosele

When I compare myself now to how I was before we went to Kenya I can really see a difference. Not just in the way I act but also in the way I think. Being out there among the people at Hope and Kindness was so rewarding and at the same time really eye opening.

They taught me – and the whole group – about trusting in God and also, being less selfish. For example, when I was praying with some of the children, Kevin (one of the cutest boys ever) prayed a prayer for the sick people and the poor. This really struck me because Kevin is an orphan, he is HIV+ve, yet he was praying for people less fortunate -it showed me just how selfish my prayers can sometimes be.

Another thing I learnt was something Ed said to us on one of the nights when we had devotions. He said that we shouldn’t feel in a bad place with God if we don’t ‘see’ or ‘feel’ him because that’s not what faith is about. We just need to know that God is our saviour. This really stuck with me throughout the time we were there and it has really helped me a lot.

It was difficult to see the level of poverty out there in Kosele. It’s one thing to see it on the television but it’s a whole other thing to see it in real life. To see their trust in God was incredible, and it really made me think about my own trust in God and I’ve realised I really need to trust in him a lot more. All the children had a big impact on me. When we had to leave some of them were crying which made a lot of us cry as well. But I am hoping to go back to Hope and Kindness possibly for my gap year or sometime soon.

I can honestly say that this is an experience that I will never forget. It is one of those things that will stick with you for life. These people are strong, loving, selfless and so trusting, I have learnt so much from them and I intend to help them as much as I can now and in the future! I just am so very thankful to Judi, Terry, Vanessa, John and all the leaders that were there with us, they were incredible!!

(Judi, Terry, Vanessa and John thought all of you were terrific too!)

Volunteering - what's Involved?

Working with Hope and Kindness in Kosele has been a life changing experience for all of our visitors. The sights, smells, sounds and emotions you experience working in Kenya are overwhelming.

Open or download the documents below to find out more about applying to work as a volunteer, basic costs and information about Kosele.

Information about volunteering

Application form for Volunteers