The first thing that might pop to mind when thinking of Kenya are lions, zebras and leopards. However, this vast country has much more to offer. With 40 national parks and reserves scattered around the country, Kenya features almost every landscape and activity that you can imagine and it will suit any type of traveler’s palette.
Undeniably, safaris are the core of tourism in Kenya, but you might also venture in deeper and discover the Maasai, a semi-nomadic tribe known for its color-filled adornments. Nairobi is a great city to explore, with its bustling nightlife and unique vibes. For those who love nature, a visit to the Great Rift Valley is a must. And for those who enjoy relaxing at the beach, Kenya’s coastal area covers almost 80,000 square kilometers and remains sun-filled during most of the year!
ABOUT NAKURU
Nakuru town located in west-central kenya lies on the north shore of Lake Nakuru and is home to approximately 500,000 inhabitants, making it one of the largest urban centers in Kenya. Once a center for European activity, this region is now associated with a flourishing manufacturing industry, busy commercial shopping centers and important agricultural initiatives.
ABOUT GATANGA VILLAGE
Gatanga Village will be your new home and will give you the chance to see authentic rural Kenya. Close by is Thika, an industrial town and Nairobi is not too far either. You can visit either during, the weekend for nights out or sightseeing. Likewise, there are many natural areas in close proximity to Gatanga, such as Ndakaini Dam, Fourteen Falls , a set of waterfalls that will leave you awestruck.
Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older, though exceptions to this age requirement may be made on a case-by-case basis. Successful volunteers are hardworking, flexible, and open to truly immersing themselves in the culture. Keep in mind that all countries have different visa restrictions for varying types of passports.
World Endeavors volunteers in Kenya can currently contribute to the following projects in Nakuru:
Volunteers work alongside members of the community to care for, educate and empower underprivileged children.
Details of the Childcare placement in Kenya will be added soon.
Volunteers work to strengthen their host community by addressing some of its most pressing needs and sharing their skills and compassion with the people they meet.
Details of the Construction and Renovation project will be updated soon.
Volunteers interested in Environmental Conservation can participate in the following project:
Environment and Climate Change – Nakuru
Join a local initiative in partnership with community members focused on restoration, transformation, sustainability and preservation of the environment to combat climate change. These efforts matter most because they are community owned and community driven, with the purpose of enviromental restoration, transocial economic benefits and environmental sustainabilty.
As a volunteer, you will assist with environmental conservation and sustainability efforts, gain invaluable knowledge about the ecological challenges faced in the region, and join local efforts to educate the community youth about the initiative and related environmental matters to encourage their consistent and proactive participation.
Activities may include:
- Caring for seedlings and learning how to maintain a tree nursery
- Preparing the land and planting trees
- Community education on the importance of reforestation
- Creating a "green wall" reusing plastics, and planting and installing vertical vegetable gardens
This project has an additional fee of $40 per week.
Volunteers interested in Healthcare can participate in the following project:
Healthcare – Nakuru
Enjoy a truly unique medical setting experience! Shadow and learn about health care service delivery, as you assist local staff at a rural hospital in Kenya! Based on your previous experience, you'll be given a variety of tasks to help out in a local Kenyan medical center or hospital, serving those with limited access to affordable quality healthcare.
Access to quality healthcare services is only available in a few remote areas. In partnership with a hospital established by a local NGO, participants in the healthcare program will provide assistance to the hospital staff, working particularly closely with the nurses.
Transportation is also a challenge for many people living in the villages who need care. In effort to address this need, the hospital dispatches mobile care teams - also known as "Backpack Nurses" - to meet patients where they are and provide care for those without access to transportation, or who are confined to their homes. You'll have the unique opportunity to spend your morning or afternoon with the backpack nursing team, providing vital assistance to villagers in need of care.
Participants must be pursuing a healthcare-related field of study, or must have related work experience/background in the medical field. There is an additional fee of $80 per week for this project.
Volunteers interested in Teaching can participate in the following project:
Teaching Assistant – Nakuru
You will be placed in a local school in the community, assisting students and staff with English and other subjects through tasks that allow practice and creativity. Most children in rural areas in Kenya rarely have the chance to practice English outside of the school setting, despite the language being one of the official languages of Kenya. Interacting and speaking English with them can benefit their learning and increase their confidence with the language.
You are welcome to provide new ideas that promote an exchange of cultures and conversations between you, fellow participants, staff and students. Volunteers are encouraged to arrange activities for your classes in an informal way, incorporating some of the favorite activities of the students such as sports, games, gardening and singing.
During long holiday periods when schools are on break, a "day-camp" style English and Sports program may be put in place for local children and it will be run by volunteers with the help of our coordinators.
This project has an additional fee of $40 per week.
Volunteers interested in Women’s Development can participate in the following project:
Women’s Empowerment
This program is geared toward assisting women who may not have had access to basic education and may find it difficult to thrive, particularly in this age where understanding the importance of education and an ability to manage basic technology have become fundamental aspects for survival. The ability to navigate issues such as personal development, environmental awareness, budgeting, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy also help to build a resiliency that cultivates sustainable development.
Therefore, through our program, we utilize the engagement of international participants with some groups of local women, who may never have had any kind of real-life exposure to outsiders, to help them to expand their worldview and personal perspective. Participant immersion in the community promotes a mutually beneficial relationship with the local women where all those involved gain just as much as they give.
This is an opportunity to form relationships with someone from another background and culture and create an exchange that motivates both younger and older women to show their hidden talents and enable them to participate in developmental activities of family, society, and nation.
Creative teaching methods and a positive outlook are extremely helpful and go a long way to engaging the women and breaking down the existing barriers. Participants are encouraged to use different techniques to teach topics that they are passionate about, and/or have firsthand knowledge, as long as they are relevant and assist with the goals outlined by the women being served through the program. Since English is widely spoken here, there is a greater capacity for you to convey your knowledge with ease and use anything you have in the way of reference materials and resources more easily.
Volunteers stay in a shared volunteer house and stay in shared rooms by gender. The meals served will mainly be Kenyan food, which consists of vegetables, potatoes, eggs, bread, pancakes (commonly known as “chapati”) and fruits such as oranges, bananas and avocados.
The World Endeavors Volunteer in Kenya program is flexible in duration and can be tailored to last between 1 to 12 weeks. If you have the time, we recommend a stay of at least 4 weeks. Admissions are rolling, and World Endeavors volunteers can choose when they would like to start their program. Due to holidays, traditional vacation schedules, and seasonal work availability, there might be better times than others to volunteer at a specific location or in a specific project.
When you are ready to start planning your volunteer trip to Kenya contact us. Our experienced advisors will help you sort through any timing considerations unique to your destination or your volunteer project.
Please wait until after you are accepted into the program and you have received the confirmed arrival and departure dates before you book your flight.
| Program Name | First Week | Each Additional Week |
|---|---|---|
| Volunteer In Kenya | $2,085 | $300 |
INCLUDED FEATURES
- Program Advisor: dedicated, experienced, and accessible for one-on-one guidance
- Local Onsite Coordinator with 24/7 availability; pre and post arrival orientation
- Visa guidance and support
- Comprehensive travel medical insurance
- Travel Protection with 24/7 Emergency Travel Assistance
- Re-entry Support
- Airport reception
- Shared, single gender dorm style rooms
- 3 meals per weekday and 2 meals per weekend provided
OTHER BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS
- Round-trip transportation to Kenya
- Visa expenses
- Optional trips and excursions
- Personal expenses
Congratulations on your decision to embark on a life-changing experience abroad! We look forward to working with you to make your trip a memorable, meaningful one. We can accommodate applications received 4 weeks prior to the intended start date up to a year in advance. If your intended start date is less than 4 weeks away, contact World Endeavors for more information.
