Volunteer Program

Our volunteer program is very relaxed. When you come to stay with us, you are part of the Ouma family! You are free to design your own volunteer experience. We encourage you to let us know which of our projects and goals are the best match for your talents before you arrive, so that we may coordinate the best possible experience for you. If you have any ideas that are not listed here, but you think may be beneficial for us, we encourage you to share!

Volunteer Possibilities

Organic fruit and vegetable farming. Skills ranging from beginner to advanced are welcome. If you do not have any experience with farming, 'hakuna matata' or 'no problem'! We will gladly teach you.
Teaching. Teachers with experience in Early Childhood and Primary School Education are welcome, as well as those with a willingness to learn and assist our teachers. Please note that most of our students are English Language Learners, whose primary language is Luo.
Building. We are currently in need of people who can help us finish constructing the walls of our current school, design and build composting toilets, and create new dormitories for our volunteers.
Clean water project. Help us design and implement a system to carry and filter water from the nearby river to the school.
Animal care. Assistance with dairy farming, chicken and rabbit rearing, feeding and cleaning the animals, or simply playing with our kitten or our dog, Jack.
Agro-forestry. Those with a background in agro-forestry are welcome to help us start our nursery.
Business. You may assist the Women's Micro-finance Group, or help us with grant proposal writing and fundraising ideas.
Home Activities. Learn to cook traditional African meals with Mama Magdalena. Help with general household duties.
Other. Please let us know what skills you would like to share!

A traditional African lunch is served at noon with the family, and you can either go back to the school, continue farming, or work on your own projects if you wish. Another traditional meal with the family is served at sunset.

Accommodations will be provided in a simple thatch-roof house that is shared with George. Volunteers have their own bed with mosquito net. We hope to build a new house for visitors soon, but we also have a tent if we get full beyond capacity.

There is one long-drop toilet on the farm. The river is a two minute walk away and is perfect for bathing.

Cultural and Recreational Activities

On the weekends and evenings, you will have the opportunity to take trips to Lake Victoria, listen to local live music, go hiking, and learn to make bricks and burn pots in the traditional African way.

You may join us in cooking and share traditional African life in mud houses, see how sugar is made from sugarcane or how we produce our flour from maize in the little mill in the village. Anyone interested in playing or teaching football will be welcome to do so on the yard we provide for the youth of the community in the afternoon and evenings.

Other possibilities include visiting the nearby Soapstone Factory or dancing with an African traditional dance group or visiting the local African traditional church.