From feeling isolated to becoming part of the community… an experience I want to return to
My name is Ruben Tic and, at the age of 22, I spent six months as a volunteer on the outskirts of Nairobi, in a home for street-connected children (Familia ya Ufariji Children’s Home).
In this facility, children and young people between the ages of 9 and 16 who want to change their lives receive support and rehabilitation in several areas: they stop using drugs such as glue or stimulants (khat), return to a life with rules and education, and are gradually reintegrated into a family environment.
At this facility, I worked alongside local staff in the education and rehabilitation of the young people, in their leisure activities, and in other practical tasks related to the running of the home, such as working in the kitchen.
I began this experience because I considered it important for my personal development. Several months passed between making my decision and leaving, and by the time I departed, I had lost that initial enthusiasm. I was no longer sure that it would be a positive experience. When I arrived, I had many doubts about whether volunteering actually made sense.
Nevertheless, I continued with my activities, staying in contact with these young people who had come from the streets and who so deeply need someone to care for them. But it was precisely through giving to these young people, and through the relationship of trust I developed with them, that the humanity I had initially been searching for emerged strongly. In the end, it became something of great value to me.
When I arrived at the community, I had to adapt to a new reality. This was easy for me because of my personality, but I also had to find my place within the working environment. I had difficulties with the latter because the local workers did not help me in any way. I had to ask about everything myself and create my role from scratch. On the other hand, I was never hindered; rather, my presence was accepted, and I was always given responsibilities.
The first few months were certainly isolating. The young people did not take part in any activities outside the facility. In addition, I was the only Western volunteer, apart from an Italian volunteer who had been there for a long time and who was present during my first month.
Thanks to her, I discovered another family home run by Italians nearby. This discovery opened up many possibilities for me outside my community during the second half of my stay. I therefore recommend that future volunteers ask the missionary responsible for the community for the contact details of this organization, which is just a few minutes’ walk away: G9 Children’s Home, run by the Community of Pope John XXIII.
My days were very busy. In the mornings, I worked with the new young people who had recently joined the community and who, during their first months, prepare to return to school. I helped them get back into studying, which in some cases meant teaching them how to read and write.
I also guided them in practical activities related to the running of the facility and farm work, in which the new young people are involved. I also helped prepare meals for the young people in the community and for the students at the school located within the facility. In the afternoons, I helped them with their homework and played football with them. Over the months, I became increasingly involved in the community, including in its management. Towards the end of my experience, I was even able to propose some changes, often successfully, which gave me enormous satisfaction. To explain how I remember this experience today, I only need to say that I will try to return as soon as possible.