Call for Maintain Hope volunteers

With the next Maintain Hope 'expedition' to Kenya planned for the first two weeks of August 2012, founder director Gerry O'Donoghue has highlighted the need for volunteers for the project, writes Brian Byrne.

Several Kilcullen people have been among the 200 volunteers who have travelled with the project since Maintain Hope was inaugurated five years ago.

It now concentrates on providing better educational facilities at the Shelter Children's Home in Ngong, near Nairobi, having already built and supported two schools in Mombasa.

The home provides services for 170 children orphaned by AIDS or ethinc conflict, put into care from abusive families, or rescued from the streets.

Eight classrooms are up and running and Maintain Hope pays the teachers and ancillary staff. The organisers hope to provide two more classrooms, desks and equipment. Volunteers also organise Summer Camp activities for the children and provide mentoring, training and support for the childcare and ancillary staff.

Volunteers have to raise sponsorship of €2,750, which covers all flights, transport, security, insurance, food and all the materials and resources for the project. They take part in a variety of activities, including teaching, building, counselling, painting, sewing, harvesting, and farming.

Further information by emailing Info@maintainhope.com or check out the website at www.maintainhope.com.



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