Thank you for your interest! The 2013 Summer Institute Application is officially closed.
To receive notification when the Summer 2014 application goes live, email Nathan at nathan@shininghopeforcommunities.org.
Spend your summer with us!
The Institute is a highly competitive program that provides deeply motivated and civic-minded college students with on-the-ground experience teaching at The Kibera School for Girls (KSG) in Nairobi, Kenya. KSG is a free school for girls in the Kibera slum, one of the largest slums in Africa.
The Details:
You will engage in an intensive, structured volunteer experience, working at The Kibera School for Girls, a school for some of the most at-risk girls in the Kibera slum. American volunteers will partner with college-aged members of the Kibera community to run a fun, educational “summer camp” for the KSG students. In the mornings, Institute participants will provide our Pre-Kindergarten to 4th grade students with tutoring and mentoring—accelerating their academic performance while forming meaningful relationships. In the afternoons, Institute participants will take turns leading personally designed workshops on subjects of their choice. Past lessons have ranged from poetry to soccer, public speaking to arts & crafts, volcano making to ballet. Volunteers will be on-site at the Kibera School for Girls Monday through Friday from 7:30am – 5pm. On weekends, Kenyan and American participants will take part in group activities, explore Nairobi, and travel outside the city.
Tentative Program Schedule Overview
| June 21st | Arrival day – arrive at NBO and take shuttle to Nairobi Guest House | |
| June 21st – 25th | Orientation to Nairobi/Kibera/SHOFCO, lesson planning, and general preparation for time with the students | |
| June 26th -July 19th | Mornings | “Family” group homerooms and literacy workshops with girls |
| Afternoons | Volunteer led and designed workshops | |
| July 5th | Day trip to Hell’s Gate, Naivasha | |
| July 19th | Final Ceremony at the Kibera School for Girls | |
| July 20th | Official Institute end date—shuttle from Nairobi Guest House to NBO |
You are perfect for this institute if….
- You are an undergraduate student or recent graduate.
- You are looking for a challenging, meaningful experience with real responsibility.
- You are passionate about Shining Hope’s mission and work, with a commitment to learning from local leadership and empowering women and girls.
- You are interested in interacting with and learning from people your age from other cultures.
- You are comfortable working across cultures and in an environment that lacks many “Western” comforts.
- You work well in structured group-settings.
- You love young children and enjoy working with them.
- You are interested in getting a sense of what it is like to work at an international non-profit organization.
- You bring maturity, grace, and a belief that young people can change the world!
Application Process
Decisions on applications received will be made on a rolling basis, with final applications due March 1st, 2013. A complete application includes the application form, your resume, and a letter of recommendation from someone who knows you in a leadership or service capacity. Please email your completed application with “Summer Institute Application” in the subject line to: alix@shininghopeforcommunities.org and nathan@shininghopeforcommunities.org. Decisions will be made as quickly as possible and will include a Skype interview. There are a limited number of spots available, so applying early is highly encouraged!
If you have questions about the program, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Program Costs Approximation
- All participants are required to undertake their own fundraising of a minimum donation of $1,000 for Shining Hope for Communities. This donation is tax-deductible*—Download Tips for Fundraising
- $1125 for room & board in Nairobi for one month. This includes a dorm-style bedroom, shared bath, wireless Internet, transport to/from Kibera everyday, daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner most nights.
- $250 for activities fee, including an all-inclusive day trip to Hell’s Gate – a beautiful national park where you can hike an ancient gorge and ride your bike alongside giraffe, zebra, and water buffalo.
- Airfare – participants are required to book their own flights.
- $50 for Visa to enter Kenya
- We require proof of traveler’s insurance including evacuation insurance. Prices vary.
- Optional Swahili tutoring sessions (approximately $5/hour).
- Other personal costs are at your discretion.
*A $250 deposit towards your fundraising contribution is due within a week of admission into the Institute in order to hold your spot.