Kenya
Mission
The Olmalaika Trust - Our Passion: To advocate for those in need. Our Values: Show kindness and compassion, promote education and growth, respect and protect the environment, and foster healthy relationships. Our Dream: End Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) & childhood marriage, enable healing and create opportunities for self-sufficiency.
The mission of AFRICA MISSION SERVICES is to facilitate community development and relief among the Maasai tribe of Kenya by hosting short term volunteers and providing them with the opportunity and infrastructure to participate in and support humanitarian service.
Description
The Olmalaika Trust provides a safe, nurturing home for girls from newborn to age 10 who have experienced significant trauma. The home exists to support healing, education, and restoration—helping each child grow in safety and dignity while preparing for reunification with family or placement with a forever family. Student Missionaries—both male and female—serve in a variety of support roles. Assisting at the girls’ home is typically the primary responsibility and may include leading spiritual programming, tutoring and homework help, nursery care, mentoring, play activities, gardening and grounds work, and assisting with daily operations of the home as well as possibly assisting at the Olmalaika Trust Dental Clinic. In addition, Student Missionaries may have opportunities to serve in the surrounding community based on skills and current needs. These opportunities can include teaching at a nearby Christian elementary or secondary school, working closely with the local SDA church, and supporting ministry needs through website design or social media.
Africa Mission Services has been hosting short term trips for over 20 years, and recently have welcomed student missionaries to join in assisting long-term community development and relief work among the Masaai tribe. Student Missionaries may assist with teaching, dental, medical, or construction work and may be asked to join or lead projects with visiting short term groups.
Quick Info
| Average Fundraising Goal | $5,500 |
| Living Allowance | $250 / $300 per month |
| Requirements | 1 year of college, age 20+, Visa for over 90 days |
| Language | Swahili, English |
| Timeline | Full year and quarter options available. Student missionaries typically go end of July or beginning of August and come back beginning of June. The school year is from the beginning of February to the beginning of December. |
| Positions | Girls Home Assistant, Maintenance/Grounds, Guest Host / Teaching, Medical or Dental Assistant, Construction, Office Assistant |
Positions
The Olmalaika Home
- Girls/Nursery HOme Assistant
- Maintenance Grounds
Can add the following to main positions above:
- Elementary teacher
- Secondary teacher
- Videographer/Photographer/Web-design
- Dental Assistant
- Kitchen Assistant
- Office Assistant
- Local Church Volunteer
Africa Mission Services
- Construction
- Medical/Dental Assistant
- Teaching
- Group Project Leader
More Info
The Olmalaika Trust is located in Sekenani, Narok County, Kenya - located just outside the world-famous Maasai Mara National Reserve.
Africa Mission Services is located is also located in Narok County, Maasai Mara, Kenya right next to Mara West. It is about 2-3 hours drive from The Olmalaika Trust.
The Olmalaika Home
Student Missionaries are responsible for preparing their own meals in a kitchen attached to their room, equipped with a refrigerator & stove/oven. Basic food items and fresh produce are available at weekly market days in the nearby village, and Student Missionaries typically have the opportunity to travel to the nearest city every month or so to purchase additional or specialty food items. Fresh produce may also be available from the on-site garden, depending on the season.
Africa Mission Services
Student Missionaries are responsible for cooking their own meals prepared in their apartments. Some basic groceries are available within walking distance, and a weekly trip to a larger market is available once a week.
The Olmalaika Home
Two studio apartments for SM’s. One has 2 single beds and 1 bunk while the other has 2 bunk beds and a single bed. There are desks and plenty of storage and organizational space. Electricity is solar-powered, and wi-fi and hot water are available. Due to limited power capacity, highvoltage appliances such as hair dryers, heaters, irons etc are not permitted. Student Missionaries wash their own clothes by hand and use clotheslines for air-drying.
Africa Mission Services
SM's are housed in newer apartments on the compound. They are equipped with kitchens, electricity, wifi, and are considered comfortable by western standards.
SMs will need an unlocked cell phone. A SIM card with Kenyan number can be purchased for $1, then load credit as needed. It's also best to download the SENDWAVE app. Friends and family can send money and can use the app any time for purchases with phone locally.
SMs fundraising will also cover an extra $35 local medical emergency flight insurance in case there is a medical emergency.
Visa information:
- 3 months or less: The cost is $32.50 and SMs just need to fill out an online form a few weeks before leaving. The cost can be covered with fundraised money.
- Longer than 3 months: The cost is $200 and the SM will need to get a work permit, which will require some advanced work sending documents to the organization electronically so they can process it. The cost can be covered with fundraised money.
