VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS IN KENYA
One of the ways to get to know a country is to make a trip, but not just a trip, a different trip; where you can know, live and feel the true essence of that country and its people. You can do this by volunteering in Kenya.
Get to know for yourself this wonderful country, which also needs that time you can devote to a social cause as important as this one.
The objective of volunteering in Kenya is to empower young people, children and people with different abilities, and at the same time they can develop their academic, personal and professional skills through social, physical and spiritual development. And that they in turn can develop their academic, personal and professional skills through social, physical and spiritual development.
TEACHING CHILDREN
We seek to empower and develop all the skills and knowledge of children and young people from poor communities in Kenya.
EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN AND YOUTH
Support us in addressing the problems of many women in Kenya through awareness raising and education.
PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED IN KENYA
- Early pregnancies
- Dropping out of school
- Drug Abuse
- Malnutrition
- HIV Pandemic
- Poverty
- Domestic violence
REQUIREMENTS FOR VOLUNTEERING IN KENYA?
To be part of the volunteering in Kenya, no specific training is necessary, it is only required:
- Be of legal age
- Basic level English
- To be a participative, committed, dynamic and creative person.
- Be respectful of the people and customs of the community in which you are collaborating.
- You must be aware of the culture of the country.
- Adaptive capacity.
- Teamwork.
In each project, you can consult the requirements that are specifically requested for volunteering in Kenya.
WHERE WILL I BE DURING MY VOLUNTEERING IN KENYA?
The projects of volunteer in Kenya are located on the outskirts of Nairobi, 45 minutes away by bus, in one of the city’s spas.
- The projects are within walking distance of the families where the volunteers are staying.
- Not need to use public transport to get to the projects, as you can walk there, which is approximately 10 minutes.
WHEN CAN YOU COLLABORATE ON VOLUNTEER PROJECTS IN KENYA?
- Teaching and empowerment of young mothers are open all year round.
They only close their doors for the Christmas holidays. See specifications for times and arrival dates in each program through their link.
Updates are regularly made to make the information as accurate as possible, however when working in low income countries, it can always differ a little, especially in the months of July and August.
ARRIVAL AT YOUR DESTINATION
We will pick you up from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, located 15 km from downtown Nairobi, where you will be met by the coordinator responsible for the project.
He will be recognized by the photo you sent us attached to the extended form. The coordinator will take you to your assigned family.
Depending on the time of arrival in the country, you will be given an orientation of the house, the project and the activities to be carried out. At that time the coordinator responsible for the project or area where you will be assigned will tell you the rules, regulations and procedures to follow during your volunteer work.
VACCINE
Suggest that you consult with your medical advisor about the recommended vaccinations for this region, as in most Asian countries vaccinations are not mandatory depending on where you travel.
COVID-19 REQUIREMENTS
- Medical certificate and a negative PCR test within 96 hours of arriving in Kenya and the date of the test
- Quarantine upon arrival
- Filled out online form: https://ears.health.go.ke/airline_registration/
VISA TO ENTER KENYA
To enter Kenya it is compulsory to have a visa, whether you are going for tourism or business. They have a duration of 3 months. You can apply for the visa online before travelling or at the airport in Nairobi, Mombasa or at the main land border posts in Kenya. But we recommend you to do this before you travel. We recommend that you call the Kenyan embassy in your country.
- Depending on the country of origin, a visa is not required for stays of between 30 and 90 days. In this case it is necessary.
- Passport in order and with a validity of at least six months.
- Economic solvency. Validate at the Kenyan Embassy in your country.
- Return ticket
- In the following link you will find the necessary requirements according to your nationality: http://www.kenyaembassyspain.es/visados/
SECURITY IN KENYA
As in any country, you have to take certain precautions and know how to handle yourself in certain zones and areas.
Tourist areas are generally safe, but we also recommend that you keep these details in mind:
- Notify your coordinator if you are going on an excursion.
- Have your coordinator’s phone number and address handy.
- Avoid giving out information about where you are staying, the project and your fellow volunteers.
- Do not take anyone other than the organization to the volunteer’s home.
- Avoid risk areas in every place you visit.
- Travel in austerity in your daily transfers and on your excursions.
- Avoid attracting attention with jewelry and accessories.
- If you can avoid taking your mobile phone out in public places.
- Try to use the country’s safe transport services.
- Avoid walking alone on unknown streets.
- Never put someone you don’t know in an unknown vehicle or someone you don’t know in your own vehicle.
- Do not drink any drink of which you do not know the origin.
Also in Kenya you can mobilize in UBER, it is very economic and safe.
HOST FAMILY ACCOMMODATION
You will live with a Kenyan host family. All selected houses have the basic communities that generally have a medium low status family in Kenya.
WHAT DOES ACCOMMODATION INCLUDE?
- Bed, in a room that you share with other volunteers.
- Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Bathroom (outside the house)
- Laundry area (only cold water and hand washing).
Integrate into these communities, and enjoy the different rhythms of life and the fantastic opportunity to make local friends, you have it with this type of accommodation. The comforts are basic, but you will enjoy your stay with family and friends.
The contribution to volunteer projects in Kenya for a period of 14 days is 585 euros and with the tax deduction you will only pay 312.75 euros.
| WEEKS | EDUCATION AND EMPOWERMENT |
|---|---|
| 2 | 585€ |
| 3 | 765€ |
| Additional | 180€ |
You will be able to deduct approximately 45% of the total economic contribution to the program by means of the tax certificate that we will give you.
WHAT ARE YOU PAYING FOR THE VOLUNTEERING IN KENYA?
- Welcome and transfer to your accommodation.
- Accommodation during your volunteer stay.
- Meals during your volunteer stay.
- 24/7 support from the Adventure Volunteer team.
- Monitoring and evaluation of the program.
- Orientation and induction to the project.
- Civil Liability Insurance
- Accident insurance for volunteer activity.
- Certificate of weeks spent volunteering.
- Guidance, advice and management in choosing the program.
- Volunteer T-shirt.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE VOLUNTEERING IN KENYA?
- Flight to Kenya
- Medical Insurance (mandatory)
- Internal transportation or excursions
- Return to the airport on the last day
- Trips inside or outside the country
- Visa, if necessary
- Drinks, diets and special meals.
We remind you that the value of the donation can be deducted from your full income tax liability, up to a limit of 10% of the taxable base.
- Donations up to 150 :(donation equal to or less than 150), the deduction will be 80%
- Donations over 150 euros: (donation over 150 ?), will be 35% and 40% if made for more than 3 years in a row of the same value or more to the same association.
NOTE: There is a deduction from the IRPF for donations made to non-profit organisations under Law 49/2002, of 23 December. established in Articles 68.3, 69.1 IRPF Law and 69.2 Regulations. Royal Decree-Law 17/2020 of 5 May. (refunds are made in the year following payment). As a donation, the 150 euros initially contributed are not refundable.
HOW TO BOOK MY VOLUNTEERING IN KENYA?
CLIMATE
- December to March and June to October are ideal dates for volunteering in Kenya and being able to go on a safari.
- January and February are the driest months.
- March to May are rainy seasons.
Temperatures are more or less constant throughout the year, around 26°C. It should also be noted that although it is hot during the day, the nights are usually cool. It is advisable to wear a sweatshirt or a light coat.
CURRENCY
The currency used in Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling (KES).
The dollar is the reference currency (they don’t typically accept dollars issued prior to 2000). The euro is also generally accepted, although to a lesser extent.
If you don’t go on excursions during your stay in Kenya, you can expect to spend about 2000 shillings per week (approximately 18 euros).
A safari contracted with a local agency can cost you between 325 to 500 euros, with transportation, a guide, 3 meals and 2 nights included in the price.
A day trip to Nairobi, visiting all the centers such as museums, elephant orphanages, giraffe centers, or the house of Memories in Africa is around €80.
- It is recommended to carry cash in local currency at all times for those small purchases or quick transportation.
- One thing you should know is that in Kenya tips are usually given, more if the service provided is very good. We therefore recommend that you always carry 100 shillings, the equivalent to 1 euro.
You have the option of taking money from your destination country or withdrawing money from ATMs in Kenya. There are some ATMs that allow you to withdraw in dollars and live well if you do a safari. You must also take into account the limit that you can take out of an ATM per day, to simply approach home to change money, just evaluate if it suits you change.
FLIGHT
The most popular airlines you can find to travel to Kenya are: Emirates, Qatar Airways, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa or Turkish Airlines.
- Flights range from approximately €550 to €750.
- You can find good flight offers on google flights or skyscanner.
TOURIST SITES
THE GREAT MIGRATION
One of the spectacle of the wild nature of the planet, has for scene the ecosystem Serengeti-Mara. You can see dozens of herbivores starting to arrive at Masai Mara. This is given at the end of June and beginning of July in search of fresh pastures.
MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE
Jirafa safari Kenia in just one day you can witness one of the most impressive things in the world. In one place you can see lions or «big five» as they call it, leopards, rhinoceroses, buffaloes and elephants, you can also see other animals such as hyenas, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles many more.
NAKURU LAKE NATIONAL PARK
Known for its immense pink mantle of flamingos feeding in its waters with landscapes different from the other reserves.
Many people have on their list of things to see in Kenya this place by the rhinoceros, one of the most difficult animals to see. In addition, there is the possibility of seeing black rhinoceros that there are very few. You can also see lions, zebras, buffaloes, baboons and many other animals.
WHAT ARE THE BEST MONTHS TO TRAVEL TO KENYA?
The best months to travel for your volunteer program in Kenya are between June and October.
- You can see animals around wells and rivers more easily.
- Almost no rain.
- Sunnier days.
- Good months to see the great migration.
You can also travel between November and May, then you will find:
- Certain newborn animals.
- A lot of migratory birds.
- More rain, but they don’t prevent you from doing the safaris.
DO I NEED A PASSPORT AND VISA TO ENTER KENYA?
If you need a passport valid for 6 months and a visa to enter Kenya.
You can consult the following link with the steps to apply for the visa.
What to consider for a visa in Kenya?
HOW CAN I GET DURING THE VOLUNTEERING IN KENYA?
You can go from one place to another in different means of transport, the safest and most recommended is the UBER, is economical and safe. also if you are with a local person you can use local transport (buses) alone is not recommended.
If you want to go from Nairobi to Mombasa, the train option is very good and economical. It leaves only in two schedules, in the morning around 8:00 a.m. and in the afternoons around 21:00 hours (check the schedules).
WHICH ARE THE PLACES THAT I CAN KNOW BEING IN NAIROBI KENYA?
The places you can see in Nairobi are: the elephant orphanage, the giraffe centre, the national museum and Karen Blixen’s house. The 3 first places you can see them in a day, of course, if you go trade to the tour start by the elephants that only have one hour a day (11:00 to 12:00).
HOW TO ORGANIZE A SAFARI WHILE IN KENYA?
We know that before traveling to Kenya and doing a safari you have many questions, we understand, so we leave you the link on.