Canadian Harambee Education Society
Giving girls the chance to educate themselves

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  "Harambee" is Swahili for "pull together"

Be an agent

Are you retired, ideally a retired teacher or other retired professional, who would like to help students make the most of their precious opportunity for education? Would you like to spend six months in Africa making a practical difference in the lives of bright, eager, ambitious African students?

Those who have taken the opportunity to go to Kenya as CHES Agents say that "It was the greatest experience of my life!"

CHES sends 100% of the donations it collects to provide African students with a secondary school education. As such, CHES is unable to pay its volunteer Agents for their transportation and living costs, although a duplex house in Kenya is available and the rent is covered by donated funds. There are usually two Resident CHES Agents operating in Kenya at one time, therefore you must be willing to work with another person. The length of the appointment is 6 months.

Your expenses

If you decide to volunteer, you will be expected to pay for:

1. The return airfare from Canada to Nairobi, Kenya, which you can give to CHES in the form of a donation, entitling you to an income tax credit receipt.
2. Accommodation costs in transit to and from Canada and Nairobi.
3. Return transportation costs from Nairobi to the place of residence in Kenya.
4. Personal leisure and tourist activities.
5. Food.
6. Personal clothing.
7. Energy and other utility supplies, i.e. propane, electricity and water.
8. Personal medical expenses.
9. Personal insurance - flight cancellation insurance, medical insurance (required), baggage, etc.
10. Private postal and telephone communication. CHES will cover the cost of items directly related to its operation in Kenya.

Expenses paid by CHES

You will be able to charge the following expenses against the CHES Agent's Discretionary Fund. All items so charged must be documented for accounting purposes.

1. Film as required to photograph individual students twice a year, and development of student photographs.
2. Postal and fax communication with the CHES Head Office in Canada.

Your duties

In Africa, you must be willing and able to carry out the following CHES responsibilities:

Finance

1. Receive, bank and keep an accounting of monies sent from the CHES Head Office, and operate, with the other CHES Agent, the CHES Account in Kakamega.
2. Disperse CHES Scholars' school fees to the appropriate authorities.
3. Allocate monies from the CHES Agents' Discretionary Fund for educational equipment, text books, and emergency medical situations involving CHES students.
4. Oversee designated CHES special projects, which are financed through the CHES Special Project Fund.

   Student selection and tracking

5. Interview CHES Scholarship candidates
6. Select CHES students based upon the criteria set out by CHES.
7. Keep records of CHES Scholars: report cards, fee payment, sponsor information, communication with sponsors, etc.
8. Photograph individual students.
9. Ensure that at least one letter per term is sent by the CHES student through you to her/his sponsor.
10. Terminate CHES scholarships for those students who do not maintain the academic standards established by CHES. Terminations take place at the end of the school year in December.

    Communication and reporting

11. Communicate regularly with the CHES Head Office concerning the status of CHES operations.
12. Provide CHES Head Office with monthly financial reports regarding the disbursement of school fees, the CHES Agent's Discretionary Fund, and the CHES Special Project Fund.
13. Investigate and report on the operation of schools attended by CHES Scholars.
14. Investigate and report on the operation of schools which may receive CHES Scholars.
15. Keep in contact and liaise with the District Education Officer.
16. Write articles describing your experiences for the CHES Newsletter.
17. Write articles for other publications which can forward the cause of CHES.

If, having read the above information, you are still interested in applying for the position of Volunteer Resident CHES Agent, please contact us for an application form. Successful candidates will have an opportunity to meet with previous CHES Agents, who will provide pre-departure orientation sessions.