Welcome to Marafiki Community

Marafiki Community International is a volunteer established Non-Governmental Organization whose main purpose is to encourage and facilitate sustainable development projects in underprivileged areas throughout Kenya, empowering people in local communities.

Marafiki achieves such objectives through local and international financial and volunteer support.

Marafiki’s support is worldwide. Our representatives and members come from all corners of the globe offering a wealth of ideas and experience. We pride ourselves on not only our own initiated projects but also those we are able to assist with through partnerships with  like minded organizations.

The Story Behind Marafiki’s Existence

The vision to reach out to those less fortunate all began when a group of volunteers came together with a shared passion to assist the internally displaced in Kenya. Already placed in volunteer settings in and around Nairobi, these volunteers yearned for something more and together constructed a plan to provide specific aid to a refugee camp by supplying food portions to the IDP families.

Initially, the group envisioned visiting a camp by the name of Kakuma, very close to the Sudanese border, however the harsh conditions of this area posed a threat to the volunteers safety. This raised some concern once the volunteers projected their idea to their then host organization, who directed them to one of their members Izzo (Chairman and founder of Marafiki) who not only listened to, but truly heard the desires expressed by the volunteers, and in exchange for their initial plan to visit Kakuma, proposed a visit to a closer, smaller group of camps in Maai Mahiu. From there, together with the volunteers initiatives, and the local knowledge provided by Izzo, it was only a matter of a few days, and together with Izzo, 6 volunteers travelled to Maai Mahiu to visit the IDP camps, meet some of the IDP’s themselves, become further educated about the exact living conditions that the IDP’s were living in and what their specific needs were. Furthermore, together the volunteers combined their money and purchased bulk amounts of rice, maize flour and cooking fat to ration out and donate to the families amongst the camps.

In the eyes of many, this is when Marafiki Community was established, perhaps not in the physical sense, but indeed in the way that since this day, friends from all around the world have shared Marafiki’s visions and have supported the organization both whilst in Kenya and from their home countries all around the world.

Marafiki has since developed into a registered Non-Governmental Organisation, reaching out to more than 600 families within the Maai Mahiu area, whom were all displaced during the 2007 post election riots.

Up to date, Marafiki has established and continues to support several major projects within the IDP camps in aim of creating sustainable living circumstances amongst the IDPs. Although the heart of Marafiki remains within the camps, we pride ourselves on continually learning about new opportunities to help amongst many different communities and in recognition of this we have become proactive in reaching out to a variety of different settings in and around Nairobi including a number of orphanages, schools and hospitals. Furthermore, Marafiki has also developed meaningful partnerships with both local and international like minded organizations to create a broader scope of how volunteers can become part of change they can feel and see.

Marafiki Community’s mission and vision encompasses the desire to create sustainable living opportunities in poverty stricken areas, empowering the local community in a variety of ways. Furthermore, Marafiki has established a number of values, aimed at continually ensuring we stay true to what we aim to accomplish, empowering not only the people who need our help, but also those who turn to us when wanting to reach out to others less fortunate then themselves.

There is someone out there that needs a helping hand, there is someone waiting to be your friend.

You can be part of Marafiki, you can be part of “what friends are for.”

 

Reasons To Volunteer With Marafiki

We were established and are driven by volunteers

Marafiki is an organization set up by volunteers, therefore the backbone of what we do on a daily basis is supported by the understanding of what volunteers want from such an experience.

We are local and always in touch

We are local, when you sign up with Marafiki, you volunteer with Marafiki. An organization which prides itself on always remaining in touch with what the local community needs.

Our fees are affordable

Our volunteer fees are amongst the cheapest you will find when comparing with any other organization.

Your volunteer fees will help the community

Unlike most, Marafiki GUARANTEES that part of your volunteer fee goes directly toward supporting Marafiki’s projects, ensuring the money you put into your visit, goes right back into the communities you will become a part of.

An international board

Marafiki’s board of directors is made up of international bodies, meaning we are constantly in touch with not only what is going on locally, but also where our volunteers are coming from personally, ensuring your needs are always met and our staff have the necessary skills to work productively with you at all times.

You will make a difference
Unlike most larger organizations, first and foremost Marafiki is about empowering impoverished communities. Therefore, every single volunteer opportunity available provides a real chance to make a difference.

We take you and your ideas seriously!

Every single one of Marafiki’s projects have been inspired by the ideas and initiatives brought by volunteers. Your voice will be heard and you truly do have the opportunity to become as involved as you like!