Village Volunteers Blog
Karibu & Jambo! by Joshua Braunstein
Joshua Braunstein hopes he was able to give the people of Common Ground as much as he received from them. “The accommodations make you feel right at home and Mama Sandra and Mama Elizabeth make one mean chapatti.”
Common Ground & Namunyak Maasai Welfare by Ian Crump
Ian Crump began his stay at Common Ground, just outside of Kitale in the west of Kenya, and was met with open arms by everyone. This feeling continued as I traveled to the Namunyak Maasai Welfare project.
Oriti Kenya, or “ Goodbye Kenya” in Luo by Mariel Rosen
Three weeks spent volunteering at Mama na Dada allowed Mariel Rosen to make lasting friendships and unforgettable memories with people who were more welcoming than she could ever imagine.
Karibu from Namunyak Maasai Welfare by Kara Berneathy
Kara Berneathy visits Namunyak Maasai Welfare and teaches young girls about empowerment, cares for orphans and meets with women’s group advancing through business.
Children of Mama Na Dada by Caroline Cardosi
Caroline Cardosi spent most every day at Mama na Dada day care with the children and then would go to the clinic to help with immunization day. “The kids were absolutely the most amazing kids ever.”
Posting from Ngong Hills, Kenya by Amie Wystrach
Amie Wystrach stayed in a small house built for volunteers while teaching at ELAND. “Unlike the traditional mud walled and dirt floor Maasai houses; ours has concrete floors, wood walls and a tin roof.”
A Day in Kenyan Life… with AIDS by Loyce Asigo Mbewa
Loyce Asigo Mbewa compares a normal day in family village life with a day living with AIDS, for mother and child.
Jambo! Mama Maria Kenya & Namunyak Maasai Welfare by Ryan Dowdy
Ryan Dowdy spent three weeks in Muhuru Bay at the Mama Maria Clinic and one week in the Transmara province with the Namunyak Maasai Welfare Project. “It was very enjoyable at both locations … a well-rounded experience of life in Kenya.”
Volunteer Opportunity: Become a Village Docent
Although posted in 2007, this is an ongoing need. If you are an alumnus of Village Volunteers and would like to help familiarize soon-to-be volunteers about the specific region where they will be volunteering, please email Shana@villagevolunteers.org
Nepal: Village and Farm by Savhanna Wilson
Savhanna Wilson found mornings on the farm provided her with peace such as she had yet to find anywhere else in this world.
Village Volunteers’ 2006 Accomplishments
2006 was an exciting year of grassroots development for Village Volunteers. We saw growth and change in our partner villages as opportunities were created for self-sufficiency, education, and healthcare.
Beauty, Colour and the Unknown of Incredible India by Nicole Cunningham
According to Nicole Cunningham, Mayapur, India is filled with dramatic adventures, once in a life time experiences and will leave you with wonderful friendships.
Leaving Common Ground for Mama na Dada by Thalia Trusdell
Thalia Trusdel helps with a mural at the children’s school and celebrates her stay with the Masaba Widow’s Group.
Kenya, Farming & Food Preparation by Lauren Nagler
The Masaba Widows Group prepares gardens and shows Lauren Nagler Kenyan cooking, from slaughtering the chicken to putting it on the table.
Volunteering, A Parent’s Perpective by Lauren Nagler’s Dad
Shana Greene, the Executive Director of Village Volunteers, who helped organize Lauren’s trip wrote to congratulate me for raising a child with a heart so big, she leaves the comfort of a life full of promise to expand her awareness to those in immense poverty.
Impressions, American & Maasai by Casey O’Connor
The Maasai have a wonderful sense of humor and laugh all the time. The children love to sing and dance and performed many of the songs they learn in school. They laughed at our blue veins which they can see so well on white skin.
Village Volunteers Consortium (VVC) Forms in Kenya
The Village Volunteers Consortium (VVC) is a network of Kenyan NGOs focusing on a holistic approach to sustainable development and collaborative problem solving to achieve self-sufficiency.
Beautiful and Peaceful Mayapur by Maria Carter
Maria Carter has no doubt that future volunteers will be captivated by Mayapur’s beauty, Sri Mayapur Vikas Sangha’s dedication and brilliant staff, and the villager’s enthusiasm.
Kenya: A Joyous Maasai Encounter by Steffi Rahn
Steffi Rahn observes, as if in a mystical dream, the dancing of the Maasai tribal youth group.
Kenya: Foreign Yoyos and Bubble Stuff by Lydia Taylor
Lydia Taylor never thought she would find herself in a place where a yo-yo is a foreign object, but she did in Kenya.