Kenya

A gap year volunteer project in Kenya will be one of contrast and adventure. Stunning sandy beaches, world famous national parks and vibrant tribal culture all await the gap year volunteer. However, the beauty of the country – and Africa as a whole – can mask the difficulties experienced by many of its people.

Kenya volunteers can make a significant impact through hard work, enthusiasm and dedicated support.

Outreach International have selected gap year and career break volunteer projects in orphanages, medical centres, national parks and teaching in schools. The projects are in communities in Nairobi, on the Indian Ocean, the rural Nyeri countryside and the smaller game parks. Climb Mt Kenya, go on safari in the Masai Mara, scuba dive in the Indian Ocean and immerse yourself in a community that needs your support.

Nairobi is a vibrant city of contrasts where you will see mansions and expensive shopping centres next to thriving street markets and over-crowded slums. You can enjoy all the attractions of a cosmopolitan city and be ideally based to explore the surrounding wildlife parks and places of great natural beauty, including the nearby rift valley.

Kenya volunteer project

General Information

• 	We organise a one week Swahili language programme for Kenya volunteers. This is a great course but English is spoken on all the projects, so it's not a necessity for all volunteers.

  Language Training

• 	You are needed for volunteer work for five days a week. Weekends are free and the occasional long weekend can be taken to explore more of Kenya. Many volunteers recognise that Kenya is one of the best places for volunteering in Africa as you can see so much wildlife. The Rift Valley, the Masai Mara, the evocative snow-capped Kilimanjaro, Mt Kenya, the less visited Mt Elgon, Lamu Island and swimming in the Indian Ocean are all fantastic places for any of our Kenya volunteers to explore. Beatrice Waweru, our coordinator, is well-connected and always delighted to help volunteers make the most of your free time. Expeditions are made most weekends with fellow gap volunteers. Beatrice can organise Safari packages for all volunteers at a reduced cost. Volunteers should simply contact Beatrice prior to arrival; talk with you about the best safari options, (e.g. the Masai Mara, Tsavo National Park, Lake Nakuru, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro or Mt .Kenya) and book them up on your behalf.

  Travel & Expeditions

• 	There are no rules about time off, but in most cases weekends are free and many Kenya volunteers choose to travel after their projects. All projects are linked to initiatives involving Kenyan staff, so you will quickly adapt to the relaxed Kenyan style of working. Outreach International asks for a serious commitment from all volunteers, but at the same time recognises that the nature of voluntary work requires a flexible approach, and we definitely want you to have an enjoyable as well as a rewarding time. With Outreach International's focus on just two particular areas of Kenya, you will have regular contact with other Kenya volunteers. Often the closest bonds are made with fellow volunteers, and in most cases volunteers are placed in pairs to give each other support. Meetings and small expeditions will be arranged to bring volunteers together and to take time out together during their stay.

  Time Off & Volunteer Interaction

• 	Our Country Coordinator in Kenya is Beatrice Waweru. She is married with three lovely children and lives in Nairobi. She is a graduate of Kenya Polytechnic University and before joining the Outreach International team worked as a librarian in various multicultural organisations such as the British Council, the UNPA and Braeburn International School. Beatrice will organise all the logistics of your stay. She will meet you at the airport, introduce you to your project manager and host family, deal with any problems or difficulties that may arise and keep in regular contact with you throughout your stay. Parents, families and friends of volunteers in Kenya can always have immediate contact with both the UK Head Office and Beatrice at the Kenya Field Office. Beatrice will know where each volunteer is at any time, and will regularly visit you on your project. Moreover, in every project supported by Outreach, there will be a local supervisor. Outreach International attaches great importance to back up and support, but at the same time does not want to over-monitor you. We recognise that for gap year volunteers, this is an important time of independence and adaptation, and we want to give you the freedom to develop your role in the project. As part of your personal analysis and debriefing, you are asked to write a short article concerning your work and experiences. At the end of your placement you can request official certification from Outreach International acknowledging your contribution to the project as a record of your work and a possible advancement to career development. Outreach International will also be able to provide future employers with references for volunteers who successfully complete their project placement. The UK office will also offer support in the form of a thorough pre-departure briefing, regular fundraising awareness courses and an annual Teaching English as a Foreign Language course. These are free of charge to all volunteers.

  Support from Outreach International

• 	Volunteers normally live in pairs with a local family a short distance from the project base. We know the families well and they are friends and relatives of Beatrice, our volunteer coordinator. Outreach International put considerable emphasis on providing a high standard of food and accommodation. We realise that if volunteers are comfortable, you will have more energy to give to the project. The national diet commonly includes samosas, ugali porridge, rice, chapattis and barbecued meat. On the coast, where some of our orphanage, medical and teaching projects are based, the Swahili dishes reflect the history of contact with the Arabs. There is a wonderful variety of cheap fresh fruit and vegetables, including mangoes, papaya, pineapple, passion fruit and coconuts. There is also meat, meat and more meat! Vegetarians beware, but our host families provide great varied meals.

  Food & Accommodation

• 	We will provide all Kenya volunteers with full insurance to cover personal accident, medical and emergency travel expenses plus personal liability during volunteer project activities. This is a specialist gap year policy - it gives you full medical cover, public liability cover and baggage cover. The cost of insurance is included in the overall project cost. Once in Kenya, the Outreach field office will assist volunteers with any health or accident problems that may arise. The UK office will inform volunteers as part of their preparation package of what immunisations and medication are needed for their stay in Kenya.

  Health & Insurance

• 	The UK office of Outreach International is responsible for arranging the flights to Kenya and local transport to the Outreach field office and the project location. In Kenya, volunteers usually travel by bus or Nissan vans called "Matatus" to and from the project. Recreational and post-placement travel in Kenya and beyond will be the responsibility of the volunteers. Flights are usually arranged by Wexas Travel, who are both ABTA and ATOL bonded. For details, see: www.wexas.com. Gap volunteers should apply for their visa in advance from the Kenya High Commission in London.

  Flights, Visas & Project-related Travel

• 	Please refer to our costs page for full details about our charges. Our charge covers full health, baggage and liability insurance, support and documentation for your visa application, project- related travel, food and accommodation and, of course, full in-country and UK support. In Kenya, this is provided by Beatrice Waweru, the permanent member of staff based in Nairobi. It also covers the costs of UK training, briefing, fund raising advice and administration. It does NOT include the cost of international flights. You may wish to take personal spending money for weekend trips and entertainment. We recommend something in the region of £175 a month.

  Spending Money & Cost