Umoja Children's Home

Umoja Children's Home provides a Christian-based environment for orphaned children, offering them care, support and hope for a better future. The location is near Bomet Town in Kenya's green highlands, inhabited by the Kalenjin Tribe and provides a unique cultural experience for volunteers.

Volunteering at Umoja Children's Home allows you to interact with the children, staff and the community at large. By engaging with the children, you can create meaningful connections and make a difference in their lives. The experience of working closely with the kids allows volunteers to become part of their family rather than being strangers hence fostering a sense of belonging and support.

Volunteers will have opportunities to interact with the local community, participate in community activities and, depending on the timing of their visit, attend or support local events.

There are many ways volunteers can contribute depending on their skills, interests and the needs of the home.
Volunteer activities may include:
• Supporting children with learning and homework
• Teaching English and other languages
• Sports and recreational activities
• Music, arts and creative activities
• Farming and gardening
• Environmental and conservation activities
• Communication and life-skills activities
• Child-friendly educational activities
• Supporting library and reading programs
• Photography and storytelling
• Information technology and digital skills
• Fundraising and resource mobilization
• Painting, maintenance and improvement projects
• Community activities
• Skills-sharing and mentorship

Volunteers are encouraged to share their knowledge, talents and experiences while also learning from the children and the local community.

We believe volunteering should be more than simply coming to Kenya to perform a task. It should be an opportunity to connect, learn, share and understand.

You can join our volunteer expedition, where you will have the opportunity to experience aspects of Kenyan life and culture, including local food, community traditions, everyday life and interactions with local people.

You will not only bring something to Umoja; you will also take something home with you – new friendships, memories, cultural understanding and a deeper appreciation of community and humanity.

For groups interested in exploring Kenya beyond the children's home, we can also incorporate safari and tourism experiences into volunteer expeditions. Depending on the length and program selected, volunteers may have an opportunity to visit destinations such as Maasai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and other Kenyan attractions.

This creates a unique experience that combines: COMMUNITY SERVICE + CULTURE + ADVENTURE + CONSERVATION + SAFARI

Our aim is to give volunteers an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the lives of children while also experiencing the incredible landscapes, wildlife and cultures of Kenya.

The presence of volunteers makes a meaningful difference. Sometimes the greatest contribution is not financial. It can be time, attention, encouragement, knowledge, friendship, a game of football, a story read together, a new skill taught or simply showing a child that someone cares about their future.

Through your participation, you can help broaden the children's horizons, encourage their talents, strengthen their confidence and expose them to new ideas and possibilities.

At the same time, your contribution can support the wider community through activities such as farming, environmental initiatives, skills development and community engagement.

Generally, Volunteering at Umoja Children's Home offers a fulfilling experience where volunteers can contribute to the lives of orphaned children, engage in various activities, learn new skills and explore Kenya's stunning landscapes and wildlife.

I am a Paramedic as well as a journalist, with experience serving as a volunteer with both the Kenya Red Cross Society and St John Ambulance. Through these experiences, I have come to deeply understand the meaning of volunteering, community service, compassion and giving one’s time and skills to support others.

It is therefore my great pleasure to warmly welcome individuals and groups who feel called to make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable and orphaned children while experiencing the beauty, culture and hospitality of Kenya.

As a Kenyan, I believe strongly in peace, unity, equality, cultural diversity and respect for all people, regardless of race, nationality, tribe, religion or background. Umoja Children’s Home welcomes volunteers from around the world and seeks to create an environment where people from different cultures can learn from one another, build friendships and work together for a common purpose.

Umoja Children’s Home is supported by a small, dedicated team of staff and a Board of Management who work tirelessly to provide care, protection, education and a nurturing environment for more than 80 children. The majority of the children are between 3 and 12 years of age, while others are above 12 years. Our goal is to provide them with a safe and supportive home where they can grow, learn, develop their talents and have hope for a brighter future.

We believe that every child deserves love, dignity, education, protection, opportunity and a chance to reach their full potential.

Umoja Children’s Home offers structured volunteer expeditions throughout the year, with a minimum stay of 2 weeks. Our volunteer expeditions are designed for groups of 4 to 20 volunteers travelling together, arriving together and departing together. This allows us to properly prepare for each group, organize meaningful activities and provide a more coordinated and memorable experience.

Volunteers can choose from monthly expedition dates and spend their time combining community service with cultural immersion, learning, adventure and a Kenyan safari experience. Whether you are travelling with friends, family, colleagues, a university group, faith-based organization or joining a group, we welcome you to become part of the Umoja family.

We want every volunteer to feel comfortable, welcomed and valued during their stay. Our aim is to provide a genuine home-away-from-home experience where volunteers can live alongside the community, learn about Kenyan culture and develop meaningful relationships.

During your stay, we provide Kenyan breakfast, lunch and dinner, allowing volunteers to experience a variety of local foods. Food is also an important part of cultural exchange, and we are delighted to introduce our visitors to Kenyan dishes and cooking traditions.

When you join an Umoja family as a volunteer, you are not simply visiting Kenya. You become part of a community. You will arrive as a volunteer and leave as a friend. You will share meals, stories, activities, challenges, laughter and memorable experiences with people from a different culture. Most importantly, you will have the opportunity to contribute positively to the lives of children who deserve love, opportunity and hope.

We warmly welcome individual groups of 4 – 20 volunteers travelling together to join our monthly expeditions for a minimum of 2 weeks stay. Whether you come to teach, build, farm, play, mentor, share your professional skills, support a project or simply give your time and love, there is a place for you at Umoja Children’s Home.