Kenya Volunteer Profile
Parker George and Faith Heaton
Parker George (24 years old) and Faith Heaton (21 years old) both from San Antonio, United States volunteered on the Kenya program for two months. Parker and Faith were slightly different to the large majority of our volunteers in that they travelled and volunteered together. While 90% of our volunteers come on our programs individually and become part of the larger IVHQ community when they arrive and “buddy up” with other volunteers on the same program and placements, we encourage people travelling as couples and can arrange group placements for larger groups as well.
Parker and Faith worked at a school and community centre in suburban Nairobi just out of Diagoretti. The institution where they were placed not only acted as a school for local children from poorer families but also had developed initiatives to help the wider communities such as HIV/Aids fundraising groups (where those affected by HIV got together twice weekly and made beaded jewellery for sale). Parker also worked at another orphanage to ensure he was fully occupied all day.
When IVHQ visited Parker and Faith, they had recently finished laying a new concrete floor in the school kitchen and were helping to set up a chook house as an additional means for the institution to generate income. In addition to their time and effort spent volunteering on the IVHQ Kenya program, Parker displayed one of his many hidden talents when he performed a song he had written with IVHQ Kenya staff members at the IVHQ BBQ. Great work guys!