HAPPYLIFE CHILDRENS HOME
“Hope for abandoned Babies”
VOLUNTEERS
MANUAL
OUR CONTACT:
Happy Life Children’s Home
P. O. Box 63660 – 00619, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel Administrator: 0724763148
Directors: 0723024327; 0711288115
Email: happylifech2002@gmail.com; happylifeadm15@gmail.com
The Home:
Happy Life Children’s Home is a registered Charitable Children’s Institution (CCI) which was started in the year
2002. Our mission is to be 24-hour seven-days’ a week rescue center and home to abandoned babies who are
sometimes left in hospitals after birth, or found abandoned on the streets. Once at the home, these children receive
holistic care as they wait for adoption. The Home is run by a board led by the Directors, Rev. Peter & Faith Ndungu.
We are keen to ensure that our volunteers have the best experience possible. However, all adults working with us
have a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and our first priority is towards the children’s
safety and interests.
We believe that all children have a right to a happy, healthy and secure childhood. We seek to
safeguard children by promoting all children’s rights. We hope that this manual will help to support your
volunteering needs, but please don’t hesitate to ask us if there is anything you are unsure about.
Children’s Daily Schedule:
5 am - 6 am: Wake up and infants feeding time; preparation of the school-going children and their breakfast
6 am: Administration of drugs to the sick children
7 am – 8 am: Porridge time for all children
9.00 – 12 noon:
- Feeding the infants and the toddlers;
- Cleaning and cooking;
- Chores,
- Physiotherapy (specific children)
- Play time
10.30 am: Snack time for older children
12.00 – 1.30 pm: Lunch for older children
3 pm – 4 pm: Feeding time for all babies
4 pm – 5 pm: Homework, playtime and chores
- Sleeping time for babies
6.30pm – 7.30 pm: Dinner time
7.30 pm - 8 pm: Bedtime
Airport Transfer:
HLCH can make arrangements, upon request, for airport pickup and drop-off at a minimal fee of Kshs.3, 000 ($35)
Volunteers Meals:
Some volunteers prefer to prepare their foods; we have a guest kitchen which is fully equipped. However, we have a
staff member to prepare and serve your food in the lounge:

Breakfast - 8.30 am

Lunch - 1.00 pm

Dinner - 7.30 pm.
If you are preparing your food, please keep the kitchen clean and neat at all times.
Accommodation Charges:
Happy Life, Nairobi Campus has guest rooms within the facility which provides the volunteer with not only a safe
and convenient accommodation but also affords the opportunity for a cheaper, and adventurous stay with a Kenyan
experience. Our guest room charges per day are as follows:

Full Board (Accommodation and Meals provided):
o $35 (stay duration of less than a month)
o $30 (stay duration of more than a month)
o Couple: $50 (stay duration - less than a month)
o Couple: $45 (stay duration of more than a month)
o Room Sharing: $25 per person (stay duration - less than a month)
o Room Sharing: $20 per person (stay duration of more than a month)

Half Board (Accommodation only with use of kitchen for own meals):
o $20 (stay duration - less than a month)
o $18 (stay duration - more than a month)
o Couple - $30 (stay duration less than a month)
o Couple - $25 (stay duration more than a month)
o Room Sharing - $15 per person (stay duration less than a month)
o Room Sharing - $12 per person (stay duration - more than a month)
Special Charges for Partners:

Full Board (Accommodation and Meals provided): $20

Half Board (Accommodation only with use of kitchen for own meals): $10

Special Note:
o Children between ages 12-18 years who come with their parents will have a 50% discount rate on all the above charges
o Room Sharing is considered three or more people in a guest room
Bedrooms:
We have a room for married couples. In addition, efforts are always made give each volunteer a guest room alone
depending on the number of volunteers during a given duration; however where circumstances dictate a volunteer
may be requested to share a room which has more than one bed with others. Volunteers are requested to keep their
rooms clean and be accommodative to other volunteers who may be sharing the same room.
Out and About:
Kenya offers a lot to the first-time as well as the frequent visitor. There are a lot of beautiful sceneries, shopping
areas, animal parks and stunningly beautiful coastal beaches. Those wishing to take a day trip to the countryside
and/or the city are advised to seek proper guidance from the HL administration and should return to HLCH before 7
p.m. As much as possible avoid night travel and observe personal safety, e.g. putting valuables out of site, keeping
car doors locked and windows rolled up especially in congested areas on the road.
Safari: Happy Life has great contacts for such safaris. We can help you book for safari and advice on the same.
Please contact HL before arrival or the Administrator’s office while in country if you need help with transportation
and tour guidance.
Volunteer Roles:
The staffs at Happy Life are aware that, as a volunteer you are offering your services without pay and that, different
volunteers can offer different skills. However, if you are keen to be actively involved in the Home’s daily life there
are a number of different ways to get involved as listed below:
How You can Help:


Organize any of the clothing closets (infant A & B, toddlers & older children)
Create updated typed lists of all children in infant A & B and toddlers

Create updated laminated name tags with birthdates for each crib in infant A &B and toddlers

Partake in all feedings for infant A & B, toddlers and older children

Offer to help the ‘Mom’s’ dress the children in the morning

Help to bathe any of the children in the morning

Volunteer to change any of the babies’ or toddlers’ diapers

Take any child to the play room and have some fun 

Ask the ‘Moms’ if they need any help with the laundry

Ask the ‘Moms’ if they need any help with preparing meals

Do any dishes in the volunteer kitchen sink

Offer to organize and arrange different rooms

Play with the older children in the play pen

Ask teacher if she needs any help preparing for the next school day

Assist in teaching at the Happy Life Christian School

Accompanying sick children to hospital for treatment

Assist in maintaining the compound.

Take part in any ongoing project

Help in home improvements, e.g. painting etc.

Take the children to church

Take the children for outings
List of Items You can Bring/purchase locally:
 Milk formula 1 and 2
 Diapers and wipes
 Plastic panties
 Hand sanitizers
 Hand Gloves
 Disinfectants
 Shoes ( 4 years – 13 years old,
boys and girls)
 Multi vitamins
 Tooth paste
 Bed sheets
 Towels
 Ear-buds
 Children Blankets
 Toys and other Playing
materials










Socks and underwear
Children antibiotics
Wipes and Rash Cream
Feeding bottles
Baby shampoos and
conditioners
Tooth paste
School supplies – erasers, pencil
sharpeners, pens, writing books
and textbooks etc.
Office equipment and supplies
like e.g. laptops, computers,
filing folders, etc.
Sweaters (infants to 13 yrs.)
Children's clothing (ages 4 – 12)
Rules and Regulations:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
All volunteers are required by the Kenyan Authorities to produce a ‘Certificate of Good
Conduct’ or recommendation of their ‘good standing’ from their local government
authority.
All volunteers must abide by the rules and regulations of the home and follow the
instructions given during orientation.
HLCH is a Christian organization and we uphold Christian values and all the volunteers are
expected to uphold to that through proper behavior and modest dressing
Smoking in the building or compound is strictly prohibited. No alcoholic drinks or hard
drugs will be allowed into the compound.
Do not give any food, snack or medicine to the babies without authorization
All personal valuables e.g. phone, camera, money etc. should be kept safely. HLCH will
not take any responsibility for any lost items. Talk to the administrator if you need help in
storage.
Wash your hands well before handling the children.
All volunteers shall report on the time agreed upon between them and their supervisor and
if not, make sure to call the office.
All volunteers should come to the Home for the sole purpose of assisting the children. Do
not make the home a meeting place or a place for social gathering. Idleness will not be
entertained.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
The use of obscene language shall not be tolerated at the home. Children learn from what
they hear.
Don’t take pictures or videos without permission from the administration.
Visitors are not allowed to pick the babies from their beds without permission from the
mother in charge.
If you have any questions or complaints, kindly seek assistance from your supervisor or at
the reception desk.
Don’t give any information about the children or the children’s home. Direct all visitors to
the office.
Take good care of all the utensils in our guest’s kitchen; if you break any utensil, report it
to the in charge and plan on how you will replace it.
No volunteer shall be allowed to hold discussions which would be considered private and
confidential with the staff. Any formal meeting with the staff must be arranged through the
office. All questions and concerns should be directed to the administrator.
The director will hold weekly meetings with the volunteers to discuss any concerns and a
better stay.
All official communications between volunteers and staff should be done through the
office. Any grievances or misunderstandings should be reported to the administrator in
good time.
Ask for permission any time you want to watch a movie with the children and the
administration has to approve of it. Obscene kind of movies and materials or those
inappropriate for children are not allowed at Happy Life.
Expectations can be a plus or a mi nu s: Expectations are both normal and good; we get excited from
what we have heard and seen! However, unrealistic expectations can ruin a trip.
We need to always keep in mind that we are traveling to a part of the world that is very different than ours
in many ways. Differences that can be exciting and enriching or disappointing and difficult to handle.
Enjoy the differences and avoid seeing the differences as negative! We are coming to Kenya as visitors
and should not become upset if we see things that are different. Kenyans know the Kenyan culture better
than anyone else.
Food: Expect to experience Kenyan food! After all we are going to Kenya!
Customs and Culture: Enjoy the differences! Do not expect Kenyans to be like Americans: You
will see many characteristics of Kenyan life that you will admire and wish that you could be more like
them.
Do not jump to conclusions: Keep everything in perspective and do not make judgments about a culture
that you do not really know or understand. When there are concerns, please do not share the “negatives”
with others. Feel free to contact Pastor Peter or Faith / Pastor Jim or Sharon.
Treat Kenyans like you would want them to treat you if they visited your city and home!
Ask the Kenyans if you have questions! Kenyans are very friendly and love to talk and share.
Think the best and dismiss the things that tend to bother!
Avoid sharing the negatives with others!
A Reminder: You are going on a Missions trip that just happens to have some opportunities to enjoy
yourself and get to know the Kenyan people. You are going to serve the children of
Happy Life; not to have your needs and wants met.
ENJOY!
Please Stay Connected:
Some of our volunteers have enjoyed being part of Happy Life and receiving our updates even after leaving.
Some return to visit again, and a number have maintained a permanent link. You can also be a part of us by
sponsoring a child (For more info, consult the office or visit our website at happylifechildrenshome.com. You
can also visit our BlogSpot: happylifekenya.blogspot.com. You may also email us at
happylifech2002@gmail.com.
“TOGETHER WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE”
Thanks for choosing to volunteer at Happy Life Children’s Home.
Enjoy your stay
VOLUNTEER INFORMATION
Name ………………………………………………………………………………………..
Country of Origin……………………………………………………………………….…...
Telephone No: ………………………………………………………………………………
Email Address……………………………………………………………………………….
Physical Address…………………………………………………………………………….
College/Organization/Self …………………………………………..………………………
I.D No. /Passport No. ………………………………………………………………..……..
How did you know about HLCH? ………………………………………………..…………
…………………………………………………………………………………..…………
In case of emergency, the Home should contact (next of Kin):
Name: ……………………………………………………………………………………………….…….
Telephone: …………………………………………………………………………………………………
Email…………………………………………………………………………………………….……..…
Relationship: ……………………………………………………………………………………...……..
I agree to comply with the above set regulations, as I understand that they are important in ensuring protection
of the rights and interest of the children in the home. Therefore, I the undersigned certify that I have read and
understood the volunteer’s guidelines and I agree to volunteer my services at Happy Life Children’s Home from
this day ____________________ to ____________________.
I hereby indemnify the trust against all actions, claims, damages, costs and expenses.
Name: _____________________________ Sign: __________________________________
Date: __________________________________
Signed……………………………………………………Date………………………………….…
Approved by ……………………………… ……… Date…………………………………………
Sign ……………………………………… Stamp……………………………………………...…