HELLEN, 25 JAHRE

My name is Hellen ototo. I am a 22 year-old (female) Kenyan student. currently live in kisii ,Kenya. where I am a student undergraduate studies in information technology at the college of kisii national polytechnic.

I come from a family of 6: My parents, Evans and susan, are self employed and run a small business here in kisii kenya. I have 3 brothers. My eldest brother Samuel, is 38 years old and is a self employed in naorobi 2nd born Benson 30years is secondary school teacher in kisumu. My third born brother kevin is employed at nakuru and am the last born and only girl in the family.

In about a year or two I plan to pursue diploma in information technology, but I am yet to make up my mind concerning my future area of specialization. So, at the moment, I would like to take some time out of academics to have a different life experience, and to have time to calmly reflect on my future academic/professional orientation. To this end, I think spending a year abroad would be particularly interesting.

My first language is, of course, English, and I am also fluent in swahili. I started learning English in primary school, and it was also the language of instruction in the secondary school I attended. I have in addition been taking courses taught in English at university.

I am nevertheless aware that learning a language within a classroom context is by itself, incomplete. So, in order to really be at ease in French, I feel that a cultural immersion would do me a lot of good. Through my language teachers, (most of whom are English) I have learnt a lot about English. Hence my desire to have first hand experience of life. I am particularly interested in experiencing family life in abroad since it offers a cultural context that is undoubtedly different from mine. For this reason, I would very much like to find a nice family to live with and work for in UK.

When it comes to child care experience, I have looked after children in both formal and informal contexts. Last year, as part of my university studies in child psychology, I spent a six month internship period looking for a child of the age 3years . Among others, I provided after-school tuition to children aged between 5 to 10 years. I also organized for them and took part in recreational indoor and outdoor activities: we sang, danced, played games, role played, drew, painted, and narrated stories. We also visited the public library, the local animal park, went out on picnics and a camping trip.

I have helped my brothers look after there childrens since birth. Although my looking after them is now restricted to my university vacations, as a teenager, I was nevertheless much more involved in caring for them on a daily basis. In addition, my newphew siblings, also spend a lot of time playing with our neighbour's two children Emmanuel and sharon ( aged 6 and 8 years), so from time to time I find myself in their ever animated company. I can comfortably say that I sincerely enjoy spending time with children.

When it comes to leisure, I take pleasure in the simple things in life. I enjoy being outdoors, being with my friends, going for walks, visiting places I have not been to, and reading a good book. I also enjoy painting and on dull or rainy days, I often propose drawing and painting activities to my newphews and our neighbour's children whenever they come for company. Did I already mention that I love to read and write? At my college, I write a monthly article, for the students' magazine. I also serve as an editorial committee member for the magazine.

As far as preferences are concerned, I am looking for a live-in arrangement with a host family, that would be happy to have me stay with and work for them for at least 6-24 months. I would also prefer looking after children aged between 0 months to 15 years. Lastly, although I am quite flexible, I would prefer to have working hours that would allow me to attend day time French languages

I would be happy to have the opportunity to speak with you: to answer whatever questions you may have about me or my childcare experiences; to learn more about your family; your interests and to know more about what you expect from the au pair arrangement.

Thank you very much for your interest in my application!
I look forward to hearing from you.