Institute for Field Research Expeditions
Volunteer in Kenya, one of the most stunning countries in Africa full of natural wonders. From tropical beaches to spectacular scenery to rich culture to unparalleled wildlife, Kenya has everything in abundance. Meet the traditional Masai on their ancestral lands, and watch millions of wild animals in their natural habitat at Kenya's renowned game reserves. Volunteer in Kenya, the mosaic of East African cultures and traditions and explore a beautiful range of Kenyan habitat while experiencing the Kenyan rural life.
Language & Culture Immersion Program (Optional)
Join one week of language program in Kenya and learn Swahili language. Take part in the lectures and briefing and widen your knowledge on Kenyan history, culture, people, etc. Explore the city of Nairobi and wander through the unending mystifying caves. Enjoy camel, horse and boat ride. Hike around the evergreen forests and be lured by the Kenyan landscape before you begin your volunteering work in Kenya.
Volunteer in Kenya
After one week of language and cultural immersion, Kenya volunteers can choose to work in any of the projects. The volunteers will be taken to project/host family and be introduced to the project staffs and the children of the orphanage as well as the host family members. The following volunteer programs are available in Kenya for the period of 2-12 weeks:
Work in an Orphanage
Teach English
Health Care
HIV/AIDS Awareness Project
Work in an Orphanage
Many children in Kenya do not have their parents and families by their side. Abandoned at an early age, these underprivileged children are sheltered in the orphanages. The children desperately need love, care, affection and education to live a better life.
As a Kenya volunteer in this orphanage, you will teach English to the orphans. You can also teach songs, music, dance, painting, drawing and other creative activities. You may be asked to help in the kitchen to prepare meals, wash dishes and clothes and extend your hand to do other errands of the orphanage when necessary. You will share your meaningful time with the orphanage children for 20-30 hours a week.
It is helpful for the volunteers to learn Swahili language and our Kenya volunteer projects also tailor one week language and cultural immersion program to learn the basic language, and Kenyan culture and lifestyle prior to starting the voluntary work.
Teaching English
The rural schools in Kenya lack English teachers. Teaching English in Kenya is a highly demanding and very challenging job.
As an English teaching volunteer in Kenya, you will teach English to a group of students of 20-35 in a classroom. You can also teach math, social science, health, games and other fun subjects. A proper orientation and teaching materials, including a textbook will be provided to you to prepare for the class. During free time, you can go on an excursion/exploration of rural Kenya together with the children and make learning English a fun. You will work in the school for 20-30 hours a week.
It is helpful for the volunteers to learn Swahili language and our Kenya volunteer projects also tailor one week language and cultural immersion program to learn the basic language, and Kenyan culture and lifestyle prior to starting the voluntary work.
Health Care
Kenya needs health care volunteers to work in a number of rural health centers.
As a health care volunteer in Kenya, you will assist the doctors and dentists in the center and provide medical treatment to the patients like dressing wounds, distributing medicines, etc. You can also provide health education to the patients who visit the center. You will work for 20-30 hours a week.
It is helpful for the volunteers to learn Swahili language and our Kenya volunteer projects also tailor one week language and cultural immersion program to learn the basic language, and Kenyan culture and lifestyle prior to starting the voluntary work.
HIV/AIDS Awareness Project
AIDS claim the lives of thousands of children every year in Kenya. It is estimated that more than 900,000 Kenyans are infected with HIV/AIDS.
As a volunteer in this Kenya awareness project, you will foster AIDS awareness programs in the local community. You will educate the people on how AIDS gets transmitted and how it can be controlled. You will increase HIV/AIDS awareness in among the Kenyan population and share your time with them for 20-30 hours a week.
It is helpful for the volunteers to learn Swahili language and our Kenya volunteer projects also tailor one week language and cultural immersion program to learn the basic language, and Kenyan culture and lifestyle prior to starting the voluntary work.
Program Date and Fee
Institute for Field Research Expeditions is a 501 (C) 3 non profit organization. So program fee is tax deductible.
For details on the Fees, please visit the website listed at the end of this article.
Major FAQ
Airport Arrival/Receive
All Kenya volunteers arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi. Upon arrival volunteers will be received by our staffs and transferred to our hostel. We do not offer airport drop services to volunteers. We suggest volunteers to arrive just one day before the start of the program.
Room/Food
Program fee covers the costs of room/food for the entire period. If you arrive earlier or extend your stay, you will bear your own expenses. During one week of orientation and language program, Kenya volunteers stay in our hostel and during the volunteering phase too the volunteers stay in the hostel. The volunteers also stay with the orphan kids in the orphanages. Wherever you are we manage a separate room for volunteers. Throughout the program, Kenya volunteers will be provided local food 3 times a day. Room and food for travel/tour is given at the bottom of the itinerary.
Communication/Emails/Bank
There are many cybercafés in the major cities. There is also postal service facility. Stamps can be bought at post offices, stationeries, shops and hotels too. International calls can be made by using calling cards. Currency can be exchanged at the airport and major banks and there are over 140 ATMs. Visa card holders can access their own bank or credit card account through any Standard Chartered dispensers, 24 hours a day. MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and Visa are all widely accepted. Travelers check can also be changed easily.
Vaccinations
It depends on what vaccinations you already have and what country you are coming from. We suggest that you consult a travel doctor from your country before you arrive. (NOTE: Some vaccinations are required as much as 2 months prior to your arrival). Please carry the malaria pills as a precautionary measure while volunteering in Kenya. However, you are recommended for vaccinations against Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Yellow Fever and other routine immunizations.
Payment and Refund
All program fees must arrive at least 2 months in advance as we need the fee to arrange room/food/travel arrangement/flight booking etc in advance. Our payment and refund policies are given in terms and conditions and under program fee section.
Visa
Kenya volunteers can get visa upon arrival at the airport valid for 3 months. The citizens of commonwealth countries can enter Kenya with a visitor pass valid for 6 months. However, Institute for Field Research Expeditions strongly suggests the volunteers to Kenya to get visas or any other permits in their home country to avoid long queues and delays at the airport.
Climate
The climate in Kenya is diverse but generally it is warm and humid at the coast, cool and humid in the central highlands, and hot and dry in the north and east. The climate in Nairobi remains pleasant throughout the year. It rains from March to May and some rain is expected between October and December. June to September is considered the dry season when most of the outdoor activities take place.
Contact Details
To apply for a position, please see contact IFRE under
Institute for Field Research Expeditions (IFRE)
8500 N Stemmons Frwy #4015 F
Dallas, TX 75247
Telephone: 214-879-9791
Toll Free (USA & Canada): 1-800-718-8070
Toll Free (UK): 0-800-310-1437
Fax: 214-879-9793
or visit the website [URL=http://www.ifrevolunteers.org/kenya/volunteer_in_kenya.php]IFRE Volunteers Org.[/URL]
