NISSII CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

NISSII Christian Academy is an integrated community-based education project located in Kisui village, Mbita town, along the shores of Lake Victoria in Western Kenya. We currently serve 343 children of ages 3-17 years in the Kindergarten, primary, and Junior Secondary school. Our classes run from Play group (ages 3-4) to grade 8 (ages 15-17). We have a total of 16 teaching staff and 11 non-teaching staff. Most of our children are orphans or come from vulnerable backgrounds, and we provide them with holistic care-including education, nutrition, health, love, and mentorship.
Our mission is to empower the children through quality education, Christian Values, and sustainable community development. In addition to the school, we run projects in agriculture, health, nutrition, and social welfare, all aimed at improving community livelihoods.

Volunteer Experience
We have hosted volunteers from the USA, Germany, Japan, Spain, Israel, China, Italy, Australia, Bulgaria, England, among others. Each volunteer brings unique skills and love that leaves a lasting mark on our children, staff, and the community. At NISSII, volunteers get the opportunities to engage in activities that match their passion, skills, and interests, including:
1. Teaching or assisting in classroom lessons
2. Helping with meal preparation and serving the children
3. Engaging in creative activities like art, games, and storytelling
4. Supporting our organic farm and nutrition program
5. Assisting with administrative work such as writing, documentation, and project development
6. Mentoring children and participating in community outreach
7. Social networking for the project
8. Fundraising initiatives for the project

Accommodation and meals

Volunteers are offered free homestay accommodation arrangement and are provided with private room, fully furnished with a bed, mosquito net, bedding, and electricity. The toilet is located outside but is clean and well maintained. Free Wi-Fi and laundry services are available.
Meals are prepared from fresh, local foods such as beans, rice, fish, vegetables, chapatti, beef, chicken, fruits, and ugali (a local delicacy made of corn flour-perfect with soup). Volunteers are given the opportunity to cook and eat together with our family for this helps them to quickly overcome the cultural shock in a new environment. The comfort of the volunteers is always our pride and success. We always encourage hands-on training of the volunteers- no specific skill is required.
The volunteers also get the chance to experience Kenyan and Luo culture firsthand.
Volunteers donate $5 daily contribution to cover three meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).

Travel and Arrival in Kenya

The volunteers are advised to get flight to Kisumu International Airport where pick-up on arrival arrangements are usually organized upon the volunteer paying of Ksh. 5000 for fuel/gas.
Alternatively, volunteers can get buses from Nairobi directly to Mbita which normally travel both day and night.
The volunteers are provided with a letter of invitation to facilitate your visa application to Kenya.

Cultural and Leisure opportunities

During weekends, volunteers have the chance to visit tourist and historical sites including Ruma National Park (27km from the school), Lake Victoria shores and nearby islands, or participate in community visits to better understand local life and culture.