Yes, We Actually Do Need You

This week we farewelled another one of our volunteers – Paul.

I ‘met’ Paul on Facebook, he’s a Kenyan and was keen to come and assist our work out at Osiligi. Paul was waiting to get into university and thought nothing about helping us out.

None of our volunteers nor interns get paid to work with us, everyone has to find their own finances to cover their living costs. It’s a big ask but that’s how we do it. Sure, when they are out at the farm they get food and a room but they are expected to put in the same hours as our paid staff. From time to time they may get transport money, or if a staff member is going out there we give them a ride. Some weeks though they have to pay for themselves to get back home to Nairobi.

Paul has been an amazing young man. I think he takes after his mother (whom I am yet to meet). Paul has two younger siblings but his mother has put them all through school, by herself. She not only works incredibly hard but has a tremendous amount of faith. Here is her oldest son now doing another university course and she has committed to assisting him through it.

That’s what I find incredible here. Families will do all that they can to put their children through school. Paul and his mother are not waiting for money to come from Heaven, they are doing their best in the face of adversity. The unemployment rate in Kenya is well over 50%, a huge challenge.

Paul & Sharon, some of our volunteers

Paul decided that the best use of his time was to volunteer with an organisation who needed his help. Paul took it on himself to teach photography and video, carrying on the work that had been started by another. However, he did so much more than this. Paul would be there at 7am for devotions, he would be helping in the classroom in the mornings and then with the students in the afternoon working with them in the shamba (garden). He didn’t stop there. Paul would also be teaching self defence during the sport break before supper.

Paul is a real trooper and we have been so privileged to have him on our team. He even came into the office today for staff devotions one more time. Now, in his short spare time, he will be putting together a video documentary on our work.

We have some of the best staff in the world, but we also appreciate our volunteers as well. Some come for a few months, others a few weeks. Now, we have a gap from Paul, Mercy, Millicient, Esther and Maartja who have been with us this year. Each has left a great impression on our young people.

Why not consider joining the Afri-Lift team as a volunteer or intern? You won’t get paid in cash, but you will in thanks, appreciation and the lifelong friendships you will make.

We keep asking for a move of God, but God is waiting for us to move – Mark Kelsey.