Volunteer in KENYA
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Swahili, English
POPULATION: 43.01 million
GDP per CAPITA (PPP US$): Kenya $1,800 Canada $41,100
% of Population BELOW POVERTY LINE: 50%
WHY VOLUNTEER IN KENYA?
Kenya's population has tripled over the past 30 years. With this rise in population comes a significant rise in poverty. The causes of increased poverty include low agricultural productivity, unemployment and low wages, high cost of health and education and HIV/AIDS. Women are particularly vulnerable because they do not have equal access to social and economic assets. Subsistence farming is the primary - and often the only - livelihood. Developing World Connections' long term commitment is to help improve the community members' life options and to increase their self-sufficiency.
VOLUNTEER PROJECTS
Volunteers who choose Kenya have the opportunity to work on two very different projects. Those who volunteer with our Host Partner, Comfort the Children, work with the Maasai people of Kenya in the Rift Valley, about 2 hours from Nairobi, building schools, libraries, and community facilities. Participants directly contribute to educational opportunities as a a sustainable way to reduce poverty. Or, volunteers can work in Naro Moru with our Host Partner, Mt.Kenya Community Reforestation project, constructing water tanks, laying water pipes, and assisting with a tree nursary. When the long-term project is completed, over 10,000 people will have access to running water. No special skills are required to participate.
Volunteers who choose Kenya have the opportunity to work on two very different projects. Those who volunteer with our Host Partner, Comfort the Children, work with the Maasai people of Kenya in the Rift Valley, about 2 hours from Nairobi, building schools, libraries, and community facilities. Participants directly contribute to educational opportunities as a a sustainable way to reduce poverty. Or, volunteers can work in Naro Moru with our Host Partner, Mt.Kenya Community Reforestation project, constructing water tanks, laying water pipes, and assisting with a tree nursary. When the long-term project is completed, over 10,000 people will have access to running water. No special skills are required to participate.
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Upon completion of the volunteer experience, we recommend you experience a safari in the Maasai Mara, the best destination in Kenya for viewing abundant wildlife, where more than two million wildebeest migrate yearly from the Serengeti. Take in the sweeping views of the Great Rift Valley, a high escarpment wall that plunges to the flat-bottomed valley below, dotted by a small string of volcanoes. Enjoy the tropical climate of Mombasa, the centre of Kenya’s coastal tourism and its second largest city. Navigate its intricate streets in the Old Town and visit its national monuments to gain a sense of its complicated and bloody past. Participate in a range of coastal activities from scuba diving and surfing, to water skiing and sailing.
Upon completion of the volunteer experience, we recommend you experience a safari in the Maasai Mara, the best destination in Kenya for viewing abundant wildlife, where more than two million wildebeest migrate yearly from the Serengeti. Take in the sweeping views of the Great Rift Valley, a high escarpment wall that plunges to the flat-bottomed valley below, dotted by a small string of volcanoes. Enjoy the tropical climate of Mombasa, the centre of Kenya’s coastal tourism and its second largest city. Navigate its intricate streets in the Old Town and visit its national monuments to gain a sense of its complicated and bloody past. Participate in a range of coastal activities from scuba diving and surfing, to water skiing and sailing.
WHEN CAN I GO?
|
Volunteer Experience Schedule |
| 2013 |
| NOVEMBER 9 - NOVEMBER 23 Short Term (all ages): Naro Moru |
| DECEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 21 Short Term (all ages): Naro Moru |
| 2014 |
| JANUARY 4 - JANUARY 18 Short Term (all ages): Naro Moru |
| NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 13 Short Term (all ages): Naro Moru |
Note: The Volunteer Experiences Schedule will be updated every two weeks.
It is subject to change depending on flight arrangements and suitability for host communities.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
SHORT TERM TRIPS: A two week volunteer trip to Kenya costs $2,239. This includes in-country food, in-country ground transportation, in-country accommodation, program costs and a substantial direct donation to the host partner. Airfare is not included; however, the entire cost paid through DWC is 100% tax deductible, including your flights.
STUDENT TRIPS: A four week student trip varies in price from $2,200 - $2,600 (flights not included) depending on the number of participants. You can fundraise for your trip and DWC will issue charitable receipts to your donors.
Trips may be cancelled if not enough people are registered so please sign-up early to avoid disappointment. A $500 deposit is required to hold your spot on the trip; the remaining balance is due 60 days prior to your trip.
We invite people who cannot give the gift of time to donate to Kenyan projects and programs through Developing World Connections.
