Description

As a teaching volunteer you will spend 4 of the 5 weekdays at schools and orphanages in Limuru. In the schools your role will be that of teaching assistant. It is extremely valuable to have a teaching assistant who can go round and help individual children with their assignments. Since classes are usually very large, the pupils do not often get the individual attention they require, so any extra support and attention the child is able to get the better.

The orphanages need you to help with teaching the children, and providing general care such as cooking or organising sports and playing activities to promote their well-being. There is also building and refurbishment work needed to be done, so it feels more like home for the children. You can help this by painting pictures on the walls, repairing furniture, etc. Some of the orphanages we partner with are building to expand and improve their facilities. Your pair of hands will be greatly appreciated in this practical work.

In the Mukuru slums, volunteers are needed to help teachers in surrounding schools, assisting at orphanages and getting involved in the feeding program.

The children are very energetic and will gladly challenge you to a game of basketball or soccer. You will have a chance to make a huge impact on these children's lives by spending time with them, and contributing to their learning and development.

Highlights

From your well-equipped accommodation in Limuru you have views of Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Kenya. Your accommodation has lovely grounds where you can play soccer, ultimate frisbee and go for a jog. There is a lovely lounge with satellite TV where volunteers can relax in the evenings. About 15 minutes away is a great restaurant where you can enjoy a meal and a few drinks with fellow volunteers. At weekends we can help to organise safari tours in the Masai Mara, Amboseli and Aberdare reserves, which are all close by. We can also organise trips to the Kenyan coast, and the local elephant and giraffe sanctuaries.

Climb Mount Kenya
Mount Kenya, Africa's second-highest peak, stands at 5,199m. Mount Kenya is probably one of the most impressive hikes in the world, with mountain forests containing elephants, buffalo and even lions. Due to its rugged glacier summits and unique forests, UNESCO has declared Mt Kenya a world heritage site. The safest time to climb Mt Kenya is during the dry season between December and February.

Safari in the Masai Mara and Amboseli National Park
If you go to Kenya a safari is a must, as these national reserves define Kenya. It is not easy to choose which of the many parks and reserves to visit, but the Masai Mara National Reserve and Amboseli National Park are the most spectacular and you'll have a big chance there to encounter all of the 'Big Five' animals (rhinos, elephants, lions, leopards and buffaloes). As these are the most popular, you may want to choose Saiwa Swamp National Park, which draws little to no tourists, but it's small and only accessible by foot. Aberdare and Mount Elgon national parks also draw few tourists, despite magnificent landscapes and good opportunities for wildlife viewing. One tip if you can go between July and October you will see the great wildebeest migration, one of Earth's spectacular shows!

Visit a Masai Mara Tribe
Many of the tribes in Kenya still live like their ancestors generations before them. You can go on a cultural visit and have chai tea with eldermen who will show and tell you about their way of life. They also want to perform traditional dances in which they have great pride. It's a vibrant, colourful day giving you a real cultural insight.

Qualifications

Requirements: age 17+

No previous experience is required for this project although any teaching skills or experience would be helpful. Any therapeutic training such as occupational therapy or speech and language therapy would also be very useful. Due to the varied aspects of this project all volunteers must be flexible and willing to work with enthusiasm on all the various areas of the project.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Please contact for more details.

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Pre-departure orientation/Training

Program Fees Include:

* Accommodation: Shared room in a volunteer house.
* Food: 3 meals per day: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
* Airport pick up and drop off
* Weekly laundry service
* Training: Pre-departure information pack, on-site Orientation and project induction provided
* Daily transfers to and from your project.
* Support: 24 hour support from on-site coordinator
* Activities: Staff help organise weekend activities. (Activity price may be extra) Trips include; Masai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park and Aberdare National Park, as well as trips to the Kenyan Coast, Nairobi's Elephant and Giraffe Sanctuaries.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living
• Guest House

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Kaya Responsible Travel's Mission Statement

Kaya's mission is to promote sustainable social, environmental and economic development, empower communities and cultivate educated, compassionate global citizens through responsible travel.

Year Founded

2008