Child of Mercy Orphanage Centre (COMOC) is home to 44 children aged 4 – 15 and situated next to Shelley Beach which is south of Mombasa across the Likoni Ferry. It is supported by Aid4orphans, a UK registered charity based in Cornwall. Peter & Vanessa Bragg who run Aid4orphans are also trustees of COMOC and own Kernow House where the orphanage is based.

The children that live here have been either orphaned, abandoned, neglected or come from families that live in such poverty that they are just unable to care for them. They live as one big happy family and are well cared for, attend school and grow up in a stable happy environment.

The children live downstairs in the large house and the upstairs is set aside for volunteers. The volunteers living area is therefore separate to the children’s area and consists of 2 bedrooms with bunk beds, shower room, toilet, lounge area with balcony and kitchenette with hob and fridge. All meals are provided but this does give the option to self cater for those who prefer more familiar meals or have special dietary requirements. The house is set within a half acre walled plot with poultry area, cows, veg plot and space to play games with the children. It is a few minutes walk to the beach, 10 minutes from the school and about half an hour to the large supermarket back across the ferry in Mombasa. Volunteers will be accompanied by a member of staff when travelling back into Mombasa.

Volunteers will be met on arrival at Mombasa Airport and taken by private taxi to Kernow House by either Jessica who is the Director in charge of COMOC or another member of staff. On arrival a welcome meeting will take place to familiarise volunteers with the premises, staff, activities rota, safety issues and rules. Alcohol and smoking are strictly forbidden within the premises or in the presence of the children. Soon after arrival you can be taken to the supermarket back across the ferry into Mombasa to stock up with water, drinks and any food or toiletries provisions that you may require. It is a large supermarket similar to ours at home so most supplies are available.

Volunteers are expected to help for 5 days each week with the other days offering optional interaction with the children or free time.

Activities/duties include helping with:

Cooking and mealtime supervision
Helping in Primary or Nursery school as assistant
Washing dishes, clothes and cleaning
Gardening, decorating
Helping children with homework and reading
Sports and games activities with children
Taking them to the beach/swimming at weekends, taking them to church on Sunday morning .
Teaching/sharing drama , music or singing with the children
Creating your own activities with the children. Any ideas are welcome
Optional activities that can be organised
Safaris for 1,2 or 3 nights with pickup and return to Kernow House
Visits to schools, walk into the local village (Likoni slum area) to meet families and visit their homes

If there is any particular activity that you would like to try, let us know and we will do our best to organise

Click here to make a donation...

100% of charges made go towards the running costs of the Orphanage to help with food, water, electricity, staff wages and general running costs. There are no administration or agency fees so 100% of revenue raised through the volunteering program contributes towards supporting the orphanage

Included...

Being met at Mombasa Airport

Accommodation as set out above

Meals with children & staff

Trips to Supermarket

Member of staff to escort you whenever required.

Not included...

Flights to Mombasa

Taxi from Airport, approx. 20 Euros per group

Insurance, Medical treatment or medicines (access to a local doctor or hospital can be organised)

Bottled water, soft drinks, food other than what the children and staff eat

Optional Activities

A list of suggested items to take will be provided once booking is confirmed.