Nastaran & Siavash
"If you want to know how much you'll be missed when you're gone, put your finger in a bucket of water and then remove it."
"I'm not sure this proverb is true but I'm sure I will not forget the beauties here.
Coming to this school opened a new door for us and changed the way we see the world. We did our best to do the best we could and we hope we could have helped, even a bit. They deserve much more than what they have now, and I hope to see them again and find them happy and healthy . At that time, if we remember each other, we will probably have a smile on our faces.''
March 11th, 2022
"I'm not sure this proverb is true but I'm sure I will not forget the beauties here.
Coming to this school opened a new door for us and changed the way we see the world. We did our best to do the best we could and we hope we could have helped, even a bit. They deserve much more than what they have now, and I hope to see them again and find them happy and healthy . At that time, if we remember each other, we will probably have a smile on our faces.''
March 11th, 2022
Teresa
"A certain day in October 2019, I started looking for a place to volunteer for two months, between January and March 2020. My personal and professional situation allowed me to take a break during this time.
When by chance I came across Roko 20 School in Kenya, I couldn’t imagine what was waiting me. So, I began to prepare my volunteering personal project and I called Tracy Neale-Ferreira, Roko 20’s Director. Far away, from somewhere in Wales, she explained to me everything about the school, about her project there and about the children’s needs. As she was speaking and giving me details, I could perceive that she was a confident and brave person. Her clear ideas about how education should be at Roko 20 grabbed my attention and I knew that I had finally found my place. I wasn’t wrong. Tracey Neale together with Job Thuo Macharia (Roko 20’s Manager) run the school with excellence. They have created a school with a difference. I’ve spent eight weeks at Roko 20 and my experience there is unforgettable and highly enriching. Thanks to Tatjana Winter’s ideas, support and help, we started the Learning Support Program based on teaching reading skills to the children who are a bit behind. I had an amazing feeling when the reading support began to give good results and the children were able to read. Tatjana (the other volunteer), who was my flat mate, my friend and my second daughter during those eight weeks, had the same feeling and we both believe that the Learning Support works. Moreover, I’d like to point out that the best thing I came across in Kenya was its people; I fell in love with the country, with the children and their humanity and innocence. Kenya and its culture, landscape, language, wilderness, colors, music….. is an amazing country and Roko 20 is the best place to volunteer. Finally, I can affirm that the Roko 20 community has made a very deep change inside me. So, let me quote Lenin: “There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.” I have no doubt; my eight weeks in Roko 20 are as valuable as eight decades. Thank you." |
Tatjana
"Personally, I am very much thankful and grateful for the experiences I gained at Roko 20. I did not only find a purpose in teaching these vulnerable kids, but I also understood that everyone can make a difference and Roko 20 is an excellent place to do so.
What is left to say, is to thank everyone who is supporting this outstanding project, most of all Tracey and Job, who invest an enormous amount of hours and effort to make Roko 20 Academy what it is today, a happy place and shelter for the poorest in the community. Highly do I appreciate and respect the commitment that Tracey makes day after day for the school and the community. Tracey seems to always have an ear for everyone. Continuously she checked on us, ensuring we are comfortable, and everything is lining up. Taking time off will help you decelerate your life; regain an appreciation of the abundance we live in and help on-spot and where your help is very much needed." |
Anton
"Tracy created something special with this school I wished everyone could have the experience. I was highly respected and appreciated here. The work with Peter was very great. Job is a fantastic manager. Unfortunately I didn't meet the wonderful Tracy, but I can tell you she's great from how I communicated with her.. A place to return. Much Love to everyone from the staff and the children!!!"
Meral
"I Volunteered June 2018 and got the information of the Roko 20 Academy by Workaway and I sent Tracey my request to work there voluntarily for 2 weeks. After her positive response, I asked her a lot of questions since it was my first visit to Africa and she answered all my questions thoroughly with all the warmth. I admired Tracey's effort and passion for the education of the students. Tracey made me feel like I was home during the time I was in Kenya. In the same way the School's director Job, teachers and other employees were always very helpful. The students are very loving and eager to learn. They showed incredible success in the Art Activities classes I gave and we enjoyed each other very much. I have always felt very happy after a busy day while I was there. At the end of two weeks it was very difficult to leave the students. They prepared a great farewell meeting and it was a very emotional moment for me.
Meeting Tracey made me embrace the most important experience of my life. I can clearly say that this was the best and most educational trip of my life that I discovered many things about life. I will never forget those days and hopefully visit the school again."
Meeting Tracey made me embrace the most important experience of my life. I can clearly say that this was the best and most educational trip of my life that I discovered many things about life. I will never forget those days and hopefully visit the school again."
Benoit and florence
"We stayed 2 weeks at the school in January. This place is fantastic, Tracey is fully dedicated and watchful for everybody ; the children are willing to learn and to engage in relations with volunteers, the teachers are welcoming and very friendly to volunteers. Of course the material conditions can be tough, especially for the children (it is africa !). This was a very rewarding experience, full of life, joy and smiles, we strongly recommend it."
Emilia
"Last winter I was in 3 different institutions in Kenya, for about one month each, and with no doubts I can say that the Academy was the best experience of them all. Tracey is an extremely warm and hardworking person who will give you thousands of ideas how you can help in the school. Children are absolutely gorgeous and full of love. The conditions were OK - African standards, in Muranga you have 2 supermarkets where you can buy more western style food. Cheap travelling to nearby Nairobi or other local places of interest. My stay there was wonderful and I hope I will be back! Asante sana!"
Whitney
"I was at the school for only 3 days and it was a fun and eye opening experience. Tracey had to leave so I spent time with the teachers. I recommend getting to know them."
caitlyn
"Tracey and Job were wonderful hosts to me during my time in Murang'a helping out at the school. I had an amazing time with the children at the school, teaching them new songs, drawing, doing creative activities and learning new languages. it's a beautiful area, with lots of hills and jungle, rural but only fifteen to twenty minutes drive or motorbike ride from the town. It was a great experience for me and I'm glad I was able to contribute to such a cool, giving project. Thank you, Tracey and Job, it was a pleasure to meet you and help you."
Leo and charlotte
"We are a french couple, and we have spent a whole week at the academy, in October 2015. And it was a really good experience !
Tracey and Job are very nice hosts, and they did their best to welcome us. The place is peaceful, the room very clean, and the food good. You have everything you need, and that enables you to enjoy every moment of your volunteering period.
It was a pleasure for us to help the teachers with the children. They are very cute and eager to learn ! We have also helped a bit with the animals, and that was a lot of fun.
We definitely recommend that place, and thank you again Tracey and Job for the great work you do everyday there."
Tracey and Job are very nice hosts, and they did their best to welcome us. The place is peaceful, the room very clean, and the food good. You have everything you need, and that enables you to enjoy every moment of your volunteering period.
It was a pleasure for us to help the teachers with the children. They are very cute and eager to learn ! We have also helped a bit with the animals, and that was a lot of fun.
We definitely recommend that place, and thank you again Tracey and Job for the great work you do everyday there."
Daniela
"March 2016 I visited Roko 20. I spent 2 weeks helping in the class rooms and getting to know the children and some of the families. Tracey the Director and Job the Manager made me feel very welcome. They guided me thought the needs of the school and the surrounding town so and even though I had never been to Kenya I felt very at home.
My duties at the school were mainly around introducing arts and crafts to the lessons. One of my favourite lessons was using found objects to make collage pictures. We used things, leaves and sand as well as some basic paints and other found objects such as bottle tops and scraps of paper. The children were encouraged to use their imagination action to create whatever they wanted. They needed a little guidance but the joy on their faces as they started to see the possibilities in the objects around them was very rewarding.
I also had the opportunity to accompany the school Manager on home visits. It was interesting to see where the children lived and it helped me gain an understanding of the difficulties some of these children face in their day to day lives.
I met Simon who I now sponsor. He was a dirty, sad looking 3 year old when I first met him. He was not attending school. Roko 20 encouraged his parents to let him attended and by the time I left he was smiling child who went from sitting alone in a corner to playing football with the other children.
Most impressive is the welfare work the school does. Helping families become self sufficient. I also saw with my own eyes how funds donated to Roko 20 are used. Money goes directly to the education and welfare of the children.
Everyone I met was friendly and welcoming. I feel I have made some genuinely good friends at the school in particular with one of the teachers. I hope to visit again soon. "
Daniela Amasante-de Bono
My duties at the school were mainly around introducing arts and crafts to the lessons. One of my favourite lessons was using found objects to make collage pictures. We used things, leaves and sand as well as some basic paints and other found objects such as bottle tops and scraps of paper. The children were encouraged to use their imagination action to create whatever they wanted. They needed a little guidance but the joy on their faces as they started to see the possibilities in the objects around them was very rewarding.
I also had the opportunity to accompany the school Manager on home visits. It was interesting to see where the children lived and it helped me gain an understanding of the difficulties some of these children face in their day to day lives.
I met Simon who I now sponsor. He was a dirty, sad looking 3 year old when I first met him. He was not attending school. Roko 20 encouraged his parents to let him attended and by the time I left he was smiling child who went from sitting alone in a corner to playing football with the other children.
Most impressive is the welfare work the school does. Helping families become self sufficient. I also saw with my own eyes how funds donated to Roko 20 are used. Money goes directly to the education and welfare of the children.
Everyone I met was friendly and welcoming. I feel I have made some genuinely good friends at the school in particular with one of the teachers. I hope to visit again soon. "
Daniela Amasante-de Bono
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