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My volunteer experience with Global Seekers Development Expeditions in Kenya was an unforgettable one. I performed the role of community outreach volunteering with Shauri Yako Community and Youth Support Center. I had the opportunity to work with youth and women's groups surrounding issues such as HIV/AIDS. Before departure I anticipated that the greatest challenge during this experience would be the language barrier.

I was greeted with such hospitality and kindness and welcomed into the homes of people so graciously. The language barrier proved not to be an issue as communication I have realized extends far beyond language. I was made to feel very safe and comfortable in my host family's home. The youngest son that I lived with taught me Kiswahili after dinner and I would help him with his English.

I was able to learn traditional Kenyan dishes and my participation in the preparation of them has encouraged me to continue enjoying them in Canada. Working with the community I was able to meet some incredible people both at the community center and those living within the slums of Shauri Yako. I was truly inspired by the people of Shauri Yako who have endured so much in the face of poverty and disease and still they persevere.

My time spent there has encouraged me to pursue a career in international development to continue learning about the global issues that affect people at the local level. The most difficult part of the process I found was returning home.

I felt like I was leaving my family behind as I became very close with many people. I will never forget my volunteer experience in Kenya, it has shaped how I look at the world and demystified some of the generalizations and stereotypes that surround Africa.

From Megan Hewer, Kenya - 2007


Volunteering with Shauri Yako Community Youth Support Centre (SYSC) in Nyeri, Kenya:

Shauri Yako Community Youth Support Centre (SYSC) is one of GSDE partner organizations in Kenya. I visited SYSC during my first trip to Kenya to see their development projects.The centre provides outreach programs and services for youth and women living in Shauri Yako and Manjengo slums in Nyeri, Kenya. I had seen a number of development projects while living in Kenya and some of them were not successful. SYSC was different.

Led by a dedicated group of community members, SYSC is a small scale community based organization and effective. It is changing the lives of the youth and women it serves.

Upon my return from Kenya, I wanted to get involved with SYSC to help develop their programs. I have served as a volunteer ever since, working closely with Joe Mwai, GSDE Director of Programs in what ever time I have available to try and build the organization capacity of SYSC.

From Michael Neff, Ph.D.