Flying Kites' Ambassador Program

Our Ambassador Program was largely shaped by the early experiences of our Program Directors, who began their careers volunteering in a variety of impoverished countries. While working with vulnerable children through various aid organizations, they began to think critically about options for orphaned children, concerned by the repercussions that low quality education, insufficient nutrition, and unsustainable practices have on children's futures. From this willingness to question the status quo, our model of excellence emerged. During these early years, our directors also noticed the way volunteers were arriving with tremendous passion to serve schools, centers, and orphanages, but were left underutilized and their attitude was skewed to the compromise, "something is better than nothing." From this came Flying Kites' Ambassador Program.

The Ambassador Program invites talented and deeply passionate individuals to commit to a multi-faceted ambassadorship, combining advocacy, fundraising, and time spent at our home in Kenya into a truly exceptional learning experience. The program is designed to give participants a chance to serve others, gain valuable professional skills, develop an understanding of the challenges faced by Flying Kites and similar entities, and become part of our innovative model to deliver extraordinary care to vulnerable children and improve the welfare of an entire community in Kenya.

To deliver this opportunity, the Ambassador Program is comprised of three elements:

1. Fundraising
Ambassadors work directly with Flying Kites staff to learn, create, and execute new fundraising techniques in a highly effective campaign to raise awareness and motivate action. It is a chance to prove your creativity and build a network behind your goal to make a difference, while gaining insight into the critically important field of non-profit development. Ambassadors work with a staff member to set and achieve specific fundraising targets before, during and after their time in Kenya.

2. In-Field Experience
Ambassadors live alongside our twenty-six extraordinary children at Flying Kites Leadership Academy, nestled in the beautiful foothills of the Aberdare Mountain range, in Njabini, Kenya. Each ambassador is delegated one of five core roles, within which they are given the responsibility and opportunity to develop and implement systems for impact. These roles span the fields of education, health, community development, event planning, public relations, and custom positions for specific organizational initiatives. Ambassadors become part of a very real & beautifully unique family during this experience. They play a key role in the day-to-day operations of FKLA and serve as mentors, tutors, and playmates in the lives of the children.

Ambassadors may apply for a three month, six month, nine month or one year in-field experience, which may begin at any of the times specified below.

2012-2013 Opportunities:
Session 1: June 1 – August 25, 2012
Session 2: Sept 1 – November 24, 2012
Session 3: Dec 1 - Feb 24, 2013
Session 4: March 1 – May 26, 2013

If interested in the Ambassador Program, but unable to commit to the schedule above, please email volunteer@flyingkites.org to explore other options.

3. Advocacy
Long after the children and community of Flying Kites have tightly woven themselves into your heart, the in-field experience comes to a close and ambassadors refocus on a third and equally vital component of our work: advocacy. As a culmination of the journey, ambassadors engage in a campaign to promote our cause and the experience they've had. The campaign can take many shapes and will again be closely supported by Flying Kites staff. Past advocacy campaigns have consisted of speeches to church groups, presentations to Rotary Clubs, auctions, and film screenings, all with the aim of widening our supportive circle and extending our reach.

Once the fundraising and advocacy goals are achieved to the satisfaction of the ambassador and the Ambassador Program Director, the ambassadorship will be considered officially complete, though we hope it is just the beginning of a long relationship of continued engagement with Flying Kites.

To learn more about the Ambassador Program and the potential journey ahead, please email volunteer@flyingkites.org.

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