Volunteers make a difference

Changing the local perception of whites is one of the impacts the volunteers of MS Kenya have made in the communties where they are placed.

The MS Kenya volunteer program has kicked off in earnest at MS Kenya with the first group successfully completing their assignments and earning tremendous praise from their placements.

At MS Kenya partner Christian Community Services (CCS), Western region, the volunteers have succeeded in changing the locals’ perception of ‘whites’. 

The head teacher at St. Stephens, programme officer Ben Yaite, was at first hesitant about accepting foreign volunteers because of past negative experience, but at the end of their service, he wishes they could stay longer.

Tanja McTigue and Emma Berlund (right) got themselves involved in quite a few different projects during their stay. On the photo they are cleaning a baby just delivered.

He conveys his surprise at how the volunteers were able to settle down and go an extra mile in everything they put their minds to. 

“They did not just do the duties assigned, they always found many more things that needed to be done, and they did it extremely well.  They did not sit around waiting to be told what to do instead they initiated activities and participated fully, the kids loved it”.  He now requests to be sent more volunteers in future.

At the Namasoli Health centre, a CCS project, the story is the same, Rose Muhanda, who is in charge of the facility, was also a bit hesitant at the beginning more so because she did not know exactly what to delegate to the volunteers. 

One week down the line she was challenged by their initiative and willingness to help.  They were involved in: Basic patient care (making beds, cleaning, assisting nurses to give out medicine etc), Immunization clinics (registration, weighing babies, filling out cards, keeping records), Assisting at deliveries (organising room, cleaning up), Teaching staff basic computer skills, and overall record keeping for the whole clinic.

“I feel that these two girls had the right attitude to work which gave me confidence to assign them more and more duties, anytime they were not sure what to do, they always asked me” says Rose Muhanda, who is a senior nurse.

Changing locals' perception of 'whites' is a side effect whem MS Kenya places volunteers in local organisations. On the photo the two volunteers are working with registration.

She admits that it was a  tough decision taking in the volunteers especially because they did not have enough medical background.   

The volunteers on the other hand feel that they were given an opportunity to learn and make a difference. 

“I feel that I have made a difference to some people, I have learnt how things work in Kenya, and interacted with many new people” says Emma Berglund.

Asked to say one negative thing about her experience, Tanja McTique said, “No. It has just been great."