If you are going to the TWAAYF (total war against Aids youth foundation) in Mombasa then you are in for a treat.

The project is near the Shelley Beach Hotel set in the Likoni area of Mombasa - it's over the Likoni ferry each morning you go! It is run by two ex-street boys - Deno and Mato. They are now fully grown men with the biggest hearts. The children's home has 16 children currently in the age range of 4-14.

The project is mainly run by guys which isn't so common, it's usually the ladies when you think about it. Whilst I was there, I met about 5 guys in charge who are all doing this on a voluntary basis and totally adore the kids. They are rappers in their spare time and record tracks to sell which feature the children singing as well - Akon has nothing on them.

They are also grafitti artists, so the whole place is covered with the stuff, and they encourage the children to do it too, they have so much creativity between them all and this is how they make most of their money to keep the place running.

I learnt a lot from Deno. My fella is the same age as Deno and we put this guy to shame. Deno is big bruvva to the kids and his whole life is based around those kids and their wellbeing. anyone going to this project expecting stereotypical orphans will be disappointed. They are happy,well cared for, sure the boys wear girls clothes and the girls wear their Sunday best on a Tuesday, Wednesday etc but they have clothes, they have food, they don't have many toys but they don't really use them.

I'd love to get their music to someone who could help them, does anyone have any ideas? Their music is awesome, I guess the best way to describe it is dark and religious with a phat bass :) I'll try and youtube it.

If you are going to TWAAYF and looking to take donations, don't worry about taking toys. I saw so many books and old toys that I don't think they need them as much as they could use a huge sack of maize or money for vegetables, toilet rolls or a few chickens etc. A football will always be a hit with the boys and take afro combs for the girls; they plait each others hair and love doing it.

They have two dogs called Beyonce and Obama, they are training them to be guard dogs...they are far too friendly for this!

I don't know what else I can say to sum this project up. I guess I could finish by saying that although these children are well looked after, it makes me so sad that in 2009 people can still be living in huts with no windows and dragging dirty water from a well twice a day - its back breaking. They don't want your sorrow though, and that's whats so humbling.

• Mombasa; volunteer