Intern Code of Conduct

1. You are a role model. Your presence with us at MADE IN THE STREETS is a privilege. You were hired because we believe that you will be a quality role model to our students and an excellent coworker in our mission to love and serve street kids. In every action, in every conversation, please remember there are young eyes watching your behavior. YOU get to show our students what it's like to be a college-aged Christian in this modern world.

2. We recommend you purchase (or borrow) a cell phone for the duration of your time working with us. Though there is wifi in our facilities, which will enable you to communicate with others through facebook or other messengers, we strongly encourage you to also carry a cell phone, with a Kenyan number, that will enable you to make calls at any time. This is both for your safety and to help with communication between you and the staff. Start by asking Moses or Irene if there are any spare visitor phones laying around that you can borrow. If no one has a spare, our staff can advise you in purchasing a phone, SIM card, and minutes. Phones can be bought in Nairobi for under $40.

3. Please do not adopt any pets. You might encounter some stray animals, whether in Kamulu or Nairobi. They might even be very cute and cuddly. Please don’t adopt them. We’ve had several interns do this over the years and it’s fun while the intern is here in Kenya with us, but eventually our interns always return to home to the States, and that dog (or cat) has to stay in Kenya. That means MITS has to feed it and take care of it. Our mission is to care for street kids, not stray dogs. MITS does have a few guard dogs that live at our facility. If you are feeling pet-lonely, please get your animal time with them.

4. Public transportation—proceed with caution. Nairobi has a well-established public transportation system, consisting primarily of shared taxi vans and buses, called matatus. Matatus follow set routes into and out of the city and between various parts of town. You are welcome to make use of the matatu system, but please do so with full knowledge of the following:
It is intimidating… but possible! Many of our long term visitors and interns have made use of the matatu system into and around Nairobi. Ask our staff to help you figure out the route you need, and you will experience a new level of freedom in our amazing city.

It is dangerous. Traffic is crazy. The roads are bad. Most matatus don’t have seat belts. Riding in a matatu is extremely dangerous and MITS is not responsible for your injury or death as a result of your use of public transportation.
Always take a buddy. The first step to staying safe on a matatu is to never ride alone. Whether you are male or female doesn’t matter. There is a lot of crime in Nairobi and riding public transportation will eventually require you to walk busy streets crowded with people, some of whom would rob you if they got the chance. You can increase your safety (and your fun!) dramatically by having a companion.
…but not a student. Your buddy should be another intern or MITS staff member, not a student. Our students have classes, chores & responsibilities, and we (MITS) are their legal guardians. It is MITS’ responsibility to keep track of our students at all times. The only exception to this rule is if you have written permission from the dorm parent for a student to accompany you off campus.

5. Keep our staff informed. Not only do we care about our students’ safety. We care about yours too! You are welcome, even encouraged to explore Nairobi and East Africa during your time with MITS, but notify our staff (Irene, Moses, Charles or Francis) if and when you plan to be away, even just for a day, and where you are going.

6. Be prepared for some down time. Your schedule in the United States is probably pretty packed with work, school, social activities and adventures. Life in Kenya is a little slower. Though you will have MITS work to do, you are living in a village without your familiar social structure and without constant access to popular culture. Pick up a hobby that doesn’t require electricity or internet to accomplish. Bring some books. Lead a Bible study. Learn about farming. Make it a point to connect with a new student every week. Learn to cook some dishes from scratch. The options are limitless!

7. All interns are required to attend Chapel and the staff meeting, every weekday from 8:00 am to 9:00 am. This is an important feature of life at MADE IN THE STREETS. As an intern with MITS, you are part of our staff. All our staff are required to attend Chapel and the staff meeting. Your (on time) presence at Chapel is an encouragement to the students and an important way to start your day. Our daily staff meeting is integral to staying up to date on what is going on school-wide and an easy way to keep the staff informed of your work needs, plans, & collaborations. The time you spend in Chapel and the staff meeting are not included in your 30 hours of work each week.