At GVN we encourage our volunteers to get involved in fundraising amongst their family, friends and local communities. Whether for covering their program fees, their travel expenses or for donations to support our in country projects - fundraising is a great way to gain support for a cause.
Jamie Mullins will be volunteering in the Kenya Children’s Program in December 2009, and she came up with an extremely creative and highly successful fundraising gimmick to enable her to take over much needed supplies for the children.
“The idea started for the Kenya ‘Mail Sale’ after I had completed the Fundraising Induction Day. I sent out a flyer asking for any donations of children’s clothing, toys and games...which was a great success, and I soon realised I wouldn’t be fitting it all in my luggage. So the Kenya ‘Mail Sale’ idea was born to ensure that all the donated gifts got to Kenya.”
Jamie hosted a Bachelor and Bachelorette auction, with participants of all ages and professions including Tradies, Engineers, Lawyers and IT specialists. On the night all bachelors and bachelorettes were auctioned off to the highest bidder, and the prize for the winning bidder was to be taken out to dinner by the Bachelor/Bachelorette. What a fantastic idea!
“I roped in my good male friends and even one or two actually volunteered. The night was an absolute success raising just short of $6000.
I can’t say I am sure what I want to achieve in Kenya...but if I can help a few kids smile and enjoy themselves I think that will be a wonderful reward.”
Some of Jamie’s goals for volunteering in Kenya are to offer underprivileged children a brighter future. We hope to provide children with the basic necessities of life - love, food, clothing and shelter - and also provide them with an education, so they can advance towards the same opportunities as their peers around the world.
During her placement, Jamie will be caring for orphans, street children and abused children at an orphanage. She will take on the role of sibling to the children, and when she leaves Australia in December to take part in her placement, she’ll be taking as many children's supplies, school supplies, soccer balls, soccer pumps, cassette players (with batteries), and games as she can.
Well done Jamie, we can’t wait to hear about your experience volunteering in Kenya!
If you’d like more information on our Kenya volunteer programs please visit our website: www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/kenya/
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