Annemiek de Jong

I volunteered at Kilimanjaro Young Girls in Need when I was 17 years old. It was exciting but also scary to go to a country that was so different than what I was used to in the Netherlands. Initially I wanted to travel but I found myself too young to go and travel around at that age. Also, I wanted to give something back to the country I would travel to. A friend of mine recommended to go to KYGN in Moshi. She had a great experience volunteering there and inspired me with her stories.

For four months I stayed in Moshi and worked at KYGN. Every day I got picked up by the school bus to go to school with the kids, who were amazing. I remember feeling so welcome and loved by them and the teachers, soon it was like I was part of the KYGN family.

At the school I helped with looking after the children; assisted the teachers in the classrooms; helped improving the children and teachers their English; handed out bananas; assisted with medical needs and organised fun activities for break or Fridays. While working at KYGN, a safe house was built for the children that could not stay with their families because it wasn’t safe for them. I’ve helped with painting the walls and decorating the bedrooms and extra classrooms for the children.

When I look back at this period I get the biggest smile on my face. I’m very grateful that I got to help the children of KYGN. I will be back!