Volunteering on Mfangano Island

Four hours into the bus journey from Nairobi to Mbita; and with 5 hours still ahead of us, I found myself wandering what adventures lay before us. Ed and I were slowly trundling our way to meet our volunteer host; David, who we’d been in conversation with in the months leading up to our departure. We found an advert for volunteering positons working with him on the WWOOF independents website.

David lives on Mfangano Island, a small island situated in Lake Victoria. He has started a project working on the island to help improve the quality of life for children and women living there. In particular, he aims to help children and women who have been widowed or orphaned as a result of HIV. The project has three main aims: it aims to improve the quality of education in the local primary school which is home to many of the children fostered by the project; it aims to grow and sell produce from the small organic farm David runs (profit of which goes towards the widowed women); and finally it aims to build a community resource centre for the island where children can come to read, do their homework and work in a clean environment with lights and electricity.

New community resource centre under construction

With the prior knowledge of the work David’s project does, we were really hoping to be useful volunteers. We eventually arrived in Mbita and met David. David was very friendly and greeted us both with a welcoming hug.

But our travels weren’t over! Further to bus journey, we took a ferry across to the island and then an incredibly bumpy motorbike journey to David’s home. Despite the backpack squeezing and swaying uncomfortably, threatening to tip me off the back of the wobbling boda boda, I couldn’t help notice how pretty the small island looked. Mfangano is a lush green place, with high mountainous cliffs dotted with small silver huts.

Mfangano island

By the time we arrived at David’s home we were shattered! However, we were given the warmest welcome by David’s mum (Yunnis) and sister (Claire) and were made to feel right at home. We were shown to our new home (pictured below). We then had a freshly prepared lunch of ‘green gram’ (similar to a lentil dal) and chapatis – vegan and delicious!

Our home for the week

While on the island we mostly helped David out by teaching English and Maths classes at the primary school. This helped to relieve some of the pressure and strain felt by the teachers at the grossly understaffed school. All the teachers are depended upon to teach multiple classes and as such have to work relentlessly. Despite the conditions within the school, the children were incredibly happy to be at school. Children were constantly running up to us to say hello and tell us how welcome we were.

On our final day we spent the morning hiking up the cliffs behind David’s house. David showed us to the spiritual clearing found at the top, where traditional sacrificial ceremonies still take place. The view of Lake Victoria and the island was incredible.

We thoroughly enjoyed our experience on Mfangano island. The absence of all the vanities and accessories we are used to in the western world (wifi, electricity, mirrors, showers, etc.) was truly refreshing and humbling. Life here is simple and happy.

On the last day with David, Yunnis and Ivan (David's brother)

We would like to help support David’s project in any way possible. As such we have set up a justgiving page. If you’re in a position to donate then any amount would be so appreciated by the people on Mfangano island.