About March 2017 Workcamp: Marianne Center

Project Name: Marianne Center
Project Location: Kamirithu Village, Kiambu County of Kenya
Orientation date: 04th March 2017 from 10:00 am
Start and End dates: 05th March – 24th March 2017
Safari dates: 01st March – 03rd March 2017
Theme: Supporting young adults with mental disability
No. of Volunteers: 10 – 20


People with mental disabilities in Kenya (approximately 2.9 million) face special challenges in their lives. Many Kenyans still associate people who have mental disabilities with witchcraft, and little has been done to combat this stigmatization. Most people with mental disability have a mild to moderate mental retardation. However, they can learn and are capable of developing skills throughout their lives. They have a wide range of talents, which can possibly be discovered at any moment in their childhood. The major shortcomings of the current educational system for (young) adults with mental disabilities is that they are too old to be enrolled in a primary school, but mentally incapable of attending a normal secondary school. Because of that, the Marianne Center, started in the year 2010, focuses on people with mild to moderate mental disabilities, varying from Down Syndrome to Autism, from the age of 16 to 35 years. The training center for this group has given them and their parents hope for a better future. Currently, the center has 38 students. The students are divided into classes according to their abilities. The (young) adults are trained in basic life skills, vocational and income generating activities. At the end of the training, their capabilities are assessed and efforts are made for them to be attached to an employer where they get the possibility to perform basic tasks.
The idea of this project is to make a difference in the life of young adults with special needs and disabilities, by making them self-reliant and by easing their integration into mainstream life without fear of stigmatization.


Workcamp activities:
- Taking part in the teaching of various subjects (mathematics, language, writing, drawing, gardening, sewing, beadwork, computer skills and cleaning)
- Organizing extra-curricular activities
- General maintenance and cleaning of the centre
- Provision of guiding and counseling services to the students
- Farm work

We will pick up all volunteers taking part in this workcamp from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi. CIVS will arrange accommodation before and after the workcamp in a host family in the Buruburu area of Nairobi.

During the workcamp you are accomodated at the project and it is important that you have your own sleeping bag and mat. Volunteers will get food from locally available foodstuffs and the volunteers will share the responsibility of preparing the food. The volunteers can visit Kisumu city and have the opportunity to see Lake Victoria, Masai market, Kisumu Museum. The volunteers will also have the possibility to visit Kakamega rainforest, which is about one hour drive from Kisumu.

Volunteers are required to carry the following items for the workcamp: mosquito net, torch/flashlight, toiletries, first-aid kit, sleeping bag, sandals and sunscreen. In addition to those, volunteers can also carry the following items for interaction purposes: pictures of your country, old clothes that are no longer in use, toys, books, pens, etc.

CIVS organizes safaris to all the spectacular National Parks and touristic sites in Kenya, with the main attraction being Masai Mara Game Reserve. Volunteers who wish to go on a safari should apply at least two weeks before arrival to enable us to make proper arrangements. The fee charged is all-inclusive of meals, transport, park, entry, accommodation and tour guiding.
Safari dates: 01st March – 03rd March 2017
Charges: 3-day Safari to Masai Mara National Reserve, 330 Euro

Volunteers participating in this project will be required to pay 265 Euros. This cost will include:
- Airport pick up upon arrival & Airport drop off after the workcamp
- Up to 3 nights’ accommodation in Nairobi
- Introduction to Kenyan life through a Nairobi City Center Tour before the workcamp
- Workcamp Orientation at the CIVS office in Nairobi or the workcamp site
- Food (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Workcamp facilitation and mentoring of volunteers by an experienced workcamp leader
- Certificate of participation for the volunteer
- All administrative costs

Application Process

Contact us:

Telephone: 254-020-780909, 254-020-786658

E-Mail: [email protected]

Website: www.civskenya.org