The Volunteers Team in Newcastle and Middlesborough

November 4, 2024

Our international team of Kids Kabin volunteers is now settled in their new homes in Newcastle and Middlesborough. Over the last few months, they have undertaken serveral bits of training, which have introduced them to the spirit and ethos of Kids Kabin and allowed them to acquire some of the technical skills they need to plan and deliver their activities.

The volunteers have also needed to become acquainted with their respective neighbourhoods and with the children and families in who, like them, work and live in the area. Last but not least, our volunteers have started to get to know each other and learn to live in the respect of each other’s individual personalities and cultures, in order to create the supportive community they all will need over the next months.

But who are our volunteers? Let them introduce themselves.

Leah Njoki

International Volunteer

Leah is from Kenya. She is 23-years-old, and recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Disaster Risk Management and Sustainable Development.

She is passionate about community development, having worked at Kenya’s National Disaster Operations Centre, and she has volunteered for different organisations, including the Millennial Environmentalists Volunteers, the Co-operative University of Kenya Environmental Club, and St. Marie Eugenie Primary School as a playgroup assistant teacher and receptionist. Leah particularly loves crochet, pottery, and weaving.

Rasheed Nono

International Volunteer

Rasheed is a Filipino international student studying a Master’s in Local Development in Italy.

He is passionate about community participation, peace-building, and social sciences in general. Having graduated last year from a degree in development studies in his country, his hobbies include art, writing, and cooking. Having also spent time in Japan, his year at Kids Kabin means Rasheed has now lived in four countries. This is his first time working with young people and he told us he’s really enjoying it.

Fiorella Altamirano

International Volunteer

Fiorella is an architect from Peru specialising in landscape architecture. She has worked on environmental projects and urban design in her country, focusing on climate change and community engagement.

In addition to her work, she has taught at university, training young architects and sharing her knowledge and passion for the field.
Currently studying in the UK, she feels volunteering is providing her with exciting and meaningful experiences. Art and pottery are two of Fiorella’s favourite hobbies, because she enjoys working with her hands and seeing how creativity impacts those around her. Fiorella looks forward to exploring more ways to blend her love for design, art, and community work through Kids Kabin.

Niña Cuaycong

International Volunteer

Niña, who comes to us from Bacolod City in the Philippines, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, and previously taught Social Studies.

to Year 4 and 5 students in her home country.
This is her second time volunteering with the Assumption Volunteer Programme, but her first in the UK.
Driven by her curiosity for new places, cultures, and people, and her passion for working with children, Niña chose to rejoin the programme again because she felt the opportunity will allow her to immerse herself in diverse cultures and broaden her understanding of the world, while contributing to Kids Kabin in Middlesbrough.

Joan Tan

International Volunteer

Having taught high school English communication, arts and literature in the Philippines for nearly two decades, Joan was ready to take a short career break and explore something new.

With this opportunity at Kids Kabin, she finds she’s doing exactly that, telling us that every day at Kids Kabin brings a new and fascinating experience for her.
As she finds working with younger children such a joy and a welcome break from the high school students she used to encounter in the classroom, Joan is looking forward to expanding her interests during her year with us at Kids Kabin Middlesbrough.
Joan enjoys working with her hands and seeing people enjoy the things she makes, with crocheting, painting, sewing, and cooking some of her favourite hobbies.