Introduction
The beauty of volunteering with A Rocha Kenya (ARK) is that it is a win-win situation. We get to receive different people, at different stages and ages, from different locations all over the world, different walks of life, all willing to do different things. Volunteers do more than just help push our conservation work forward, they bring variety to the team and beautiful stories from different corners of the globe.
In return, they get to be involved in new things, gain experience in different fields, make new friends, bask in the warm beaches and rich heritages as they meet and learn from new people. Katie Henderson is one of our volunteers in 2023, and she was kind enough to put this short story together about volunteers’ experiences at the Center.
Katie Henderson
My name is Katie and I am from Colorado, United States of America. I joined ARK on 1st of February, 2023. I serve as a general volunteer and as a result get many opportunities to help in different departments.
Some of the key focuses that I have been helping with include communications, research, writing articles and designing(posters & pamphlets). I enjoy being able to participate in the projects here. Projects such as trail and beach clean ups, fence building, and tree planting. I particularly liked taking part in the tree potting at Kuvuka tree nursery and getting to learn new skills. Also I have liked exploring around the local community and going into town with other volunteers and staff. I still remember how wonderful it was when some volunteers and I joined our visitors on a boat tour in the ocean where we saw lots of dolphins. We also managed to snorkel, and I gotta say, it was an amazing experience.
Franciska Sprong
Franciska first joined A Rocha Kenya back in 2021 where she served as the only volunteer for 10 weeks. Being a period when the world was just coming from Covid-19, Franciska ended up serving in all departments at A Rocha. She came back to ARK on February 23rd, 2023.
Franciska is from the Netherlands and is currently volunteering in the sciences and art departments. She has been assisting with bird data, marine research and has been painting murals around the property. It has been a wonderful reunion for her and she has really enjoyed being able to reconnect with staff from her previous stay. Her favorite volunteer activity is participating in the bird counts at Sabaki estuary. Using her own words, “I really love meal times and the dishes served at Mwamba. As well as the conversations I have with guests and staff.”
Faith Aboki
Faith, or as we love to call her Fay, joined ARK as a volunteer at the beginning of February. She is originally from Eldoret(one of the towns in Kenya) and has enjoyed volunteering in the communications department and getting to assist in other departments. Faith helps with preparing social media posts, taking photos and working on the new website. She has enjoyed taking part in the tree potting and seed planting at Kuvuka tree nursery. She has also liked being a part of the fencing project that was done at the bottom of our property.
According to her, it is just amazing how Mwamba is such a welcoming and hospitable community with lots of opportunities to learn. “I liked being able to join the science team at Mida-Creek for the water bird counts and even being asked to scribe. Now when I get down to prepare a post, at least am doing that with first hand information”. Faith also enjoys exploring Watamu, a bit of reading and relaxing.
Jonas Flohr
Jonas has been volunteering with the Science and Maintenance departments for almost 2 months now. To him learning about birds through the bird surveys and bird ringing, and getting involved in the Shark survey have been some of his major highlights.
He feels that the projects he is involved in are a great way to help with conservation and help contribute to the local environment. “The tasks that we do are very fulfilling to me because I can actually see that the work we are doing is helpful and important. When am working on watering the young trees around the property, I get to see first hand the contribution that is making to the environment. Seeing them grow and remain healthy makes those trips I make all the more worthy it. In addition, the balance between maintenance and science has always given me a variety of activities that makes me look forward to every day.”
He enjoys how Mwamba has such a community atmosphere and so many different guests that he can talk to. Jonas enjoys exploring the local area and taking beach walks to Watamu, snorkeling and taking some downtime on the nature trail. Food variety, learning Swahili and visiting the local market with other volunteers is just adds to the list of the many things that Jonas loves about being at A Rocha. How I wish you could see the excitement in his eyes! Oh, Jonas is from the United Kingdom.
Miyo Yasuda
All the way from Japan, Miyo is currently the newest member of the team, having joined us just a few days ago. She loves being able to help out wherever is needed and enjoys helping with arts and hospitality. Maybe it is a bit early to say, but Miyo already loves the atmosphere of Mwamba and the connections she has made. She also loves learning about new customs and cultures.
Miyo has enjoyed the encouragement and support that she has been offered here and how she is able to learn new skills and more about conservation. One of Miyo’s highlights has been the fellowship and services that we have on Sundays. She has loved being able to have the opportunity to help with the bible study for kids in the community. Miyoalso loves being around other Christians and the values that A Rocha has, “I really enjoy how we pray before every meal, and get to share the meals together as a community”. She loves going on swims in the afternoons before dinner with other volunteers.
Dr. Nigel Mathews
The only volunteer with three nationalities, Kenyan, British and Canadian. Nigel has been helping in the Science and Hospitality departments for just under a month now. He has enjoyed taking part in the monitoring of waders on the coral headland at the entrance to the Mida-Creek. He is also looking forward to taking part in the Wader count at Mida-Creek and monitoring the Sakoke Scops owls & the Clarke’s weaver.
Nigel loves the fresh fruits, such as pineapple, bananas, and papaya that Watamu has to offer.
For Mwamba, Nigel loves swimming in the sea. “It is my ultimate joy!”. He also likes helping out in the hospitality department and preparing the dining room before meals. One look at the dinner table arrangements he makes and you will agree that he is more than just a beautiful mind.
