LIFE IN KENYA
Within the borders of this country, you will find savannahs rich with wildlife, timeless cultures unchanged by the modern world, pristine beaches and coral reef, equatorial forests and mighty snow-capped mountains, searing deserts, cool highland retreats and endless opportunities for adventure, discovery, and relaxation. Kenya is also a great place to travel to with plenty of options that suit any travellers’ needs. It is a country rich in history and dates back to the earliest remnants of humanity; the paths of a long and complex history have crossed this region in the Olduvai gorge. There are very few countries on earth that can offer a visitor as much to see and do as Kenya does. There is no better place to give back and volunteer than in Kenya.
MAKE YOUR NEXT VOLUNTEER TRIP COUNT BY BECOMING PART OF A WORTHWHILE CAUSE AND JOINING OUR TEAM IN kenya TODAY!
ISSUES FACING KENYA
Kenya, like many other developing countries, faces a range of pressing issues that require immediate attention. One of the major challenges is poverty, as a significant portion of the population still lives below the poverty line. This results in limited access to basic necessities, such as clean water, healthcare, education, and sanitation facilities. Additionally, corruption remains a persistent issue, undermining efforts to promote socioeconomic development and erode public trust in government institutions. Furthermore, the country grapples with high unemployment rates, particularly among the youth, which leads to a lack of opportunities and potential social unrest. Environmental degradation, including deforestation and water scarcity, also poses a threat to the country's sustainable development. Finally, ethnic tensions and political instability continue to hinder the country's progress towards peace and social cohesion. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach, incorporating not only government interventions but also the collaborative efforts of international organizations and local communities.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
As a volunteer, you can provide one of the greatest gifts to the people in this country which is Education. It is believed that Education alone cannot eliminate poverty but is one of the greatest contributors to it. You will be given an opportunity to make a difference to the lives of others and in doing so, the people you will work with will also make a difference in yours. The programs we offer are designed to provide an ethical volunteering experience whereby volunteers will not only share their skills but will also learn about the local communities getting to know the people and their culture. We are actively looking for enthusiastic and emphatic volunteers who want to experience community life in Kenya while getting involved to make a difference with local projects, which are designed to help the most vulnerable people of Kenya. During your time in Kenya as a volunteer, we highly encourage you to spend some extra time before or after your program to get a chance to experience all the wonders a wildlife game reserve park has to offer. Kenya boasts an abundance of wildlife and is teeming with some of the world’s most majestic animals that exist on our planet.
ESSENTIAL COUNTRY INFORMATION:
CAPITAL CITY: Nairobi
POPULATION: 43.2 million
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 46
CURRENCY: Kenyan Shilling (KES)
TIME ZONE: UTC +03:00
LITERACY PERCENT: 85
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE(S): Swahili and English
RELIGION: Muslim, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Indigenous beliefs
WEATHER AND CLIMATE: Kenya is a tropical climate. Most places experience average temperatures of 85 °F (29 °C) or more. It is hot and humid along the coast, temperate inland and very dry in the north and northeastern parts of the country. The rainy season is from March to May and November to December but the amount of rainfall varies year to year. Central Kenya is situated on a plateau and the altitude keeps the heat index at a comfortable level. The coastal areas are hotter, but the ocean breeze also makes that region (Mombasa, Lamu and Malindi) fairly comfortable for most of the year.
WILDLIFE GAME RESERVE CONSERVATION & RESEARCH PROGRAM
Location: various wildlife game reserve areas across Kenya
This program offers various wildlife conservation projects in Kenya together with other wildlife conservationists in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife service. By joining the National Wildlife team in Kenya, you will get an incredible opportunity to volunteer and work closely with African wildlife like Elephants, Leopards, Impalas, Lions, Buffaloes, Elands, Gazelles, Jackals, Warthogs, Hyenas and Giraffes. As a volunteer on this program, you may be required to assist with the following duties and activities:
Conduct wildlife counts at waterholes and monitor poaching activity as part of our ongoing conservation work. De-snaring wire snares or traps, alongside the wildlife rangers, that poachers set across animal tracks to capture and kill wildlife. Conduct bush patrols and game drives together with game rangers by monitoring wildlife (elephants, zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, lions, wild dogs, hyenas, buffaloes, birds). Assist with ongoing road improvements to enable anti-poaching patrols to access all areas of the sanctuary. Improve sanctuary maintenance to maximize the sanctuary's potential as a prime wildlife habitat. Improvement on various water projects for the benefit of people and wildlife i.e. tree planting. Learn about issues surrounding human wildlife conflict from a wildlife expert and work on ways of reducing this conflict. Guide tourists to locate and track wild animals. Participate doing presentations to tourists on animal behaviours in the sanctuary and importance of conservation. Make Elephant dung paper that can be sold to visitors. Develop educational workshops to teach children at local school about wildlife conservation and its importance. Research insects i.e. 25 species of bees. Help out at snake park or crocodile sanctuaries. Volunteers will also do research on sustainable solutions to the conflicts and develop alternative sources of income for the communities.
SEA TURTLE MARINE CONSERVATION & RESEARCH PROGRAM
Location: Vipingo (eastern coastline)
The survival rate for sea turtles from eggs to adulthood in the wild is estimated at 1 in 1,000. There are several factors that determine their survival but a few major ones are poaching (by humans), predators, and the duration of time to reach sexual maturity. By laying a large number of eggs and having a long reproductive life, turtles have developed a survival strategy such as this one to help overcome their odds. The main problem facing sea turtles and possible extinction is human impact. Due to problems like over fishing and poaching, along with a lack of understanding of the consequences of our actions, sea turtles are facing extinction at a rapid rate and their habitat is being threatened more and more. Despite international and national legislation to protect sea turtles, all seven species of sea turtles are on the IUCN Red List and the five species found in Kenya are listed as either critically endangered or endangered. This conservation program is community based and the aim is to protect the turtles and nests along the beaches, as well as the hatchlings as they make their way to the ocean. The organization hopes to accomplish this by including local fishermen and the community in educational programs to teach them about turtles as well as marine conservation. This organization also helps to assist larger government funded organizations with data collection, administration, research, and other activities.
There are several sea turtle programs along the Kenyan Coastal region that work in collaboration with the Kenyan government under the Kenya Wildlife Service. The aim of this program is to educate and tackle some of the underlying problems associated within local communities such as a lack of education and helping locals understand and realize the impact they have in consuming sea turtles for food and the implications such traditions have on their declining global population. There is urgency in protecting sea turtles in Kenya from extinction and there is a need to create awareness and educate fishermen, communities and hoteliers as well as schools. Sea turtles in Kenya are under threat and various organizations have come together in identifying these threats and committed to finding ways to solve the problem. As a volunteer, you will become empowered to utilize your skills, knowledge or expertise and educate yourself regarding the ongoing problems. Depending on ability, you will be able to collaborate with organizations and participate in the ongoing efforts to tackle and reduce the obstacles that are contributing to the sea turtle populations. As a volunteer on this program, you will encounter the following challenges:
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The demand for turtle meat, oil and shells is a big threat to turtles in Kenya and elsewhere in the world. These products are valued in various cultures and have driven people to exploit turtles indiscriminately. Turtles are hunted at sea and on land when they come to nest.
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Thousands of turtles are caught accidentally each year as by-catch in fishing and trawl nets and longlines. They either drown in the nets or are killed by fishermen for turtle products. Habitat destruction over-exploitation, development and pollution are destroying turtle feeding habitats of sea grass beds, coral reefs and mangroves. While turtles are nesting, beaches are also being destroyed by various developments.
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Sea turtles can become entangled in plastic lines and nets and as many turtles feed on jellyfish, they often confuse plastic bags with their prey and eat them. The plastic cannot be digested, so it accumulates in their bodies, blocks their digestive system and finally kills them. Many dead turtles are found with their intestines full of plastic bags.
During your time on this program, you may be required to assist with the following duties and activities: Tagging and releasing; Beach patrols; Nest monitoring and translocation; Data Collecting; Delivering talks to schools; Community awareness; Fundraising; Beach clean ups; Research on turtle dieting/migration system; Writing proposals; Training and study on the injuries and diseases of turtles. As a volunteer, you get the opportunity to help out with these efforts as much as possible during your stay. It can be rather demanding work but if you feel up to the challenge, getting involved with the most up to date conservation efforts will allow you to gain a better understanding of all the aspects involved in Marine Conservation. By volunteering, it provides you with a unique opportunity to gain a strong knowledge base of what all is involved. It allows you to take your experience and share it with others. By passing along your stories and experiences, it will help us to convince the rest of the world that conservation is an essential priority in moving forward in the future to ensure these majestic creatures continue to remain in our oceans.
Wildlife & Marine Conservation Program FeeS
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N/A
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$2,195.00 CAD
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$2,480.00 CAD
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$2,770.00 CAD
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$2,965.00 CAD
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$3,165.00 CAD
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$195.00 CAD
PLEASE NOTE: Volunteers are required to pay a Registration Fee of $225.00 CAD, which will be added to the program fee. This fee helps to cover the registration, enrolment, administration and processing costs. To find out what’s included in the program fees, scroll down for additional details.
To convert these prices to your currency click here. Fees may vary depending on the USD exchange rate.
VARIOUS COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROGRAMS
PROVIDING VALUABLE SERVICES TO THOSE IN NEED ACROSS KENYA
Location: various locations in Nairobi and surrounding area
As you might begin to imagine, there is so much opportunity here in this country that it would be a shame to miss out on getting to experience what Kenya has to offer. Becoming a volunteer in any country and working with underprivileged locals or pristine wildlife is always an honour and we want to help you gain a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience this. We have a large variety of different programs available in Kenya so it is up to you to decide what exactly it is that you're most interested in. We encourage you to spend some time exploring this page and getting familiar with all the wonderful programs we offer and learning about all the incredible ways you can get involved.
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The primary focus of this program is improved community wellness through health education, reproductive health services, targeted mentorship, psycho-social support and nutrition counselling as well as entrepreneurial skills building. Maternal and child health (MCH) care is the health service provided to mothers (women in their child bearing age) and children. The targets for MCH are all women in their reproductive age groups, i.e., 15 - 49 years of age, children, school age population and adolescents. Mothers and children make up over two thirds of the entire population. Women in reproductive age (15 – 49 years old) constitute 21%, pregnant women, 4.5%, children under 1 5, 47%, children under 5, 18%, under 3, 12% and infants: 4%. (This working estimate is very important in developing countries for project planning and implementation).
The reality is, maternal mortality is an adverse outcome of many pregnancies. Miscarriage, induced abortion, and other factors, are causes for over forty percent of the pregnancies in developing countries which result in complications, illnesses, or permanent disability for the mother or child. About 80% of maternal deaths are directed obstetric deaths. They result "from obstetric complications of the pregnant state (pregnancy, labour, and puerperium), from intervention, omissions, incorrect treatment, or from a chain of events resulting from any of the above. Most pregnant women in the developing world receive insufficient or no prenatal care and deliver without help from appropriately trained health care providers. More than seven million newborn deaths are believed to result from maternal health problems and their mismanagement. Poorly timed unwanted pregnancies carry high risks of morbidity and mortality, as well as social and economic costs, particularly to the adolescent and many unwanted pregnancies end in unsafe abortion.
Poor maternal health hurts women's productivity, their families' welfare, and socio-economic development. A Large number of women suffer severe chronic illnesses that can be exacerbated by pregnancy and the mother's weakened immune system and levels of these illnesses are extremely high. Infectious diseases like malaria are more prevalent in pregnant women than in non-pregnant women and are most common in the first pregnancy. Given the magnitude of these problems and the interventions available, there is a lot that needs to be done. Most of the problems occurring all too often remain silent. They remain, to a large extent, uncounted and unreported.
This program focuses on addressing the ongoing problems, clarifying policy and program alternatives and identifying cost-effective health-related issues with like minded individuals or organizations. As an Intern or Volunteer on this program, you will get an opportunity to assist with training and mentoring young women on their sexual reproductive health, educating communities on the dangers of FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) as well as teaching communities on the importance of girl children in the society.
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The primary focus of this program are mobile clinics, community health care centres, and clinics. As a volunteer on this program, you will have opportunities to work alongside health care workers in both rural or city hospitals, as well as in clinics. There are also volunteer programs available to assist with teaching individuals within rural communities the importance of general health and hygiene, assisting with educating locals about HIV/AIDS, prenatal care, and joining efforts with community outreach teams by visiting HIV infected areas to assess whether soon to be mothers are taking their prescribed medication. Throughout Kenya, there are HIV/Aids centres where volunteers can work with other community health care workers with monitoring the infected population, offering counselling to those that are open to it and visiting schools to educate youth of the implications HIV/Aids has on the community.
Another opportunity that is possible as a volunteer is to get involved with counselling or providing entrepreneurial skills to empower and equip single mothers with the necessary skills and mindset to eventually become self-reliant and be able to generate revenue to assist with providing their family or future family.
Depending on your education and background, volunteers with nursing certificates can work in clinics specific to their employment, qualifications or expertise. For those with specialized skills, there are additional opportunities to volunteer at health care centres that offer psychological services as well as opportunities to work alongside doctors and nurses within different communities across Kenya. Volunteers without any qualifications; but are interested in getting involved, are still able to by assisting in institutions that handle drug addicted people and other health care programs in the rural areas.
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Living on the streets or becoming an orphan is incredibly difficult for most individuals to imagine but it is a reality for so millions of children in many developing countries, especially throughout Kenya. To make matters even more challenging, some families do not want female children and thousands of children every year are dropped off at orphanages and the parents are never to be seen again.
Luckily, efforts have been made by various welfare organizations to protect these children, to provide a safe and secure home environment and most importantly to offer them adequate education. Working at an orphanage requires love for children, maturity and self-discipline. As a volunteer, you will share your time, energy and skills to support these children and bring a bright ray of hope into their lives. During your stay, you will be encouraged to teach basic English, draw, help organize games or sports activities, sing, dance, or even perform theatre with the children. Providing general care for the children is also something that is highly encouraged. You may also be asked to perform general and special tasks and accompany children on outings as required by the program. As a volunteer, you have an incredible opportunity to empower these children and encourage them to achieve their goals and help them to reach their dreams. By becoming a volunteer on this program, you can help support these children by providing education with special emphasis on English, mathematics and computers, and also spending quality time with them, makes them smile and helps to promote their overall well-being.
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We believe that the only way to ensure the long-term preservation of the forest is by instilling its youth with an understanding of and appreciation for the delicate ecology that lies within. The organization currently partners with 140 area schools (98 primary, 42 secondary) for its education initiative. Volunteers from AVP will conduct outreach programs twice a week with lessons ranging from different types of primates found in the forest to the importance of rainforest ecological systems on the world’s climate. Kenya Forest Service also offers free Saturday classes at its main office to all community members, with children’s classes in the mornings and adult seminars in the afternoons.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE:
Assist with teaching sessions and the development of new teaching materials
Conduct forest field trips to examine plants and animals discussed in classes
Form new partnerships to enhance the education initiative
Help staff in expanding and improving all project areas
REQUIREMENTS: No education or training requirements. A background in teaching, conservation, or environmental issues useful is beneficial. Lastly, an ability to walk moderately long distances if required.
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This project is for both vet students on volunteer program as well as normal volunteers without any vet qualifications. Volunteers help in shelters for animals which are abandoned, homeless, lost or victims of cruelty. This program is meant to provide care and a safe environment until either they are reclaimed, or rehomed to carefully vetted new homes. The organization has a minimum kill policy, only animals that by reason of age, ill health or temperament cannot be rehomed, are euthanized.
Number of dogs rehomed per month: 45 to 50
Number of cats rehomed per month: 20
Average number of dogs in the shelter: 120
Average number of cats in the shelter: 50
Average number of donkeys in shelter: 10
Average number of dogs spayed/neutered: 40 females, 10 males
Average number of cats spayed/neutered: 25 to 30 females, 20 males
Average admission of dogs: 60 to 80
Average admission of cats: 30
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Location: Nairobi area and coastline
This program was created for continued research on the Colobus Monkey populations in Kenya. As a volunteer working on this program, you will be required to participate in studies on Colobus feeding ecology, primate censuses, feeding and behavioural monitoring, forest disturbance surveys and hotel pest assessments.
Volunteer activities may include: cleaning cages, feeding the Colobus Monkeys, snaring projects, behavioural research, electrical work, maintenance and cleaning of environment, or carpentry work.
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Location: Vipingo (eastern coastline)
While volunteering on this program, you will work closely with local communities and help to educate them and discourage poaching of large marine species such as the whale shark. With proper education and support, the goal is to have local communities participate in beach clean ups and educate them about the importance of Marine Conservation. As a volunteer on this program, the activities that you will participate will include: Dolphin and Whale shark eco-tourism projects. Sustainable eco-tourism to eliminate poverty. Environmental welfare through advocacy. Teaching in Schools or local community centres. Dolphin and Whale shark Surveys i.e. population distribution and identifying hot spots (GPS), Fin identification. Educating tour boat operators on observation policies and behavioural ecology. For this particular program, you will be given different options for accommodations that range from cottages with shared rooms ($60.00 CAD per night), a home stay or a private arrangement such as air bnb. As a volunteer on this program, the duties and responsibilities vary depending on the time of the year. We documented the seasons and activities you may be requested to assist with below:
From January until April: Dolphin surveys, Citizen science, Stranding patrols, School programs and Community engagement.
From June until September: Land-based survey for humpback whale and Acoustic deployments.
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Kenya Forest Service strives to save one of the last remaining rainforests in Kenya through environmental education, awareness building, development and the implementation of economic alternatives to the exploitation of forest resources. Its goals are to:
• Promote conservation of the diminishing Kakamega Forest and its indigenous plant and animal species through educational sessions and outreach programs in local primary and secondary schools and throughout the local community.
Preserve the forest and limit illegal logging activities by promotion and training in energy-saving practices such as fireless cookers, energy-saving stoves, and solar energy.
Establish, support, and collaborate with other community-based organizations (CBOs) on income-generating projects in forest communities and organizations to ease the pressure on Kakamega Forest caused by unsustainable use of forest resources.
Promote sustainable ecotourism in Kakamega Forest while educating visitors on the importance of the forest and its conservation.
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This project was initiated with the goal of generating more revenue for the community. To give you an example of how this project works, three-day old elephant dung is collected, heated (by boiling) and then pounded using a traditional mortar and pestle while waste paper is also pounded. The two are mixed indifferent ratios depending on the colour of the paper you intend to make. They are then pounded together till completely mixed. The mixture is put in a basin of water, stirred, then scooped within a frame and dried on a table for three to six hours depending on the weather condition. The end product is a paper which is cut to size depending on what one intends to make. This program is beneficial in the following ways:
Reduction of human elephant conflict
Limits future conflict between communities and elephants
Creates new ways of alleviating poverty through the elephants dung paper project
Provision of habitat for the elephants and other animals
The net income is divided amongst the community members (land owners) based on the size of one's land, as compensation at the end of every year
Certain amount of money is set aside for bursaries to needy students from the community members
Employment (unless not available) All manpower is sourced from the community
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The Butterfly Farming Project has shown a fair degree of success as an income-generating activity. Kenyan Forest Service is currently expanding the project to include surrounding schools and communities. Home to over 400 species of some of the world’s most beautiful and exotic butterflies, Kakamega Forest is an ideal this activity. Select species of the insects are collected by volunteers and raised in a large outdoor screen-covered nursery containing flowering plants ideal for butterfly consumption. These butterflies lay eggs that hatch into caterpillars and, eventually, new generations of butterflies, which are then sold to a range of foreign buyers, including researchers and artists. The rarity of butterfly farming as an income-generating activity and the availability of a foreign market makes this project particularly lucrative for the self-sustainability of the organization. As a volunteer you can assist in the following ways:
Collection of butterflies and cocoons from the larger forest
Help staff with the maintenance of the nursery
Create educational materials for schools and Saturday sessions
Educate locals and foreigners on butterfly farming and its importance as an income-generating activity
VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS: No education or training requirements, background in sustainable agriculture, teaching, conservation, or environmental issues an asset and an ability to walk moderately long distances.
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Established as an income-generating project and a means of conserving the forest’s rare indigenous plants, the tree nursery contains the seedlings of over a dozen different trees known for their medicinal properties. Volunteers will provide daily care for the delicate young trees, checking moisture levels and constructing pine needle lean-tos to shade them from the scorching sun. Once strong enough to be transported, the trees are sold for a small price to locals who will plant them in their own yards and later benefit from the leaves, fruits, or bark from these trees that are used as cures for ailments ranging from headaches and common colds to malaria and influenza. By selling these trees, Kenyan Forest Service receives valuable self-sustaining income and helps prevent illegal logging and foraging activities in the protected areas of the forest. As a volunteer you can assist with the following tasks:
Assist with the tree nursery on a physical and theoretical level
Learn to identify seedlings of trees and help to find and transport them back to the nursery
Assist with routine daily tasks around the nursery, including watering, planting, and constructing shade huts
Design marketing materials for the tree nursery to distribute in local communities, highlighting the benefits of the plants and their medicinal uses
VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS: No education or training requirements, a background in sustainable agriculture, marketing, conservation, or environmental issues is preferred and an ability to spend long hours walking and doing manual work outside.
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In an attempt to reduce the illegal logging and poaching activities that have been ravaging the forest for many decades, we work with dozens of small communities scattered throughout the area to manage income-generating activities. By providing an alternate source of income for those who have depended on the sale of protected timber and the meat and skins of endangered animals, we hope to draw these individuals away from their illicit activities and guide them toward more sustainable methods of supporting themselves and their families. As a volunteer you can assist with the following tasks:
Establishment and maintenance of community projects
Consult with community groups and leaders for volunteers and funding
Participate in the construction of butterfly farms and tree nurseries
Help design and conduct training sessions on tree and butterfly farming and beekeeping
Develop and implement additional income-generating projects
VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS: Experience or background in beekeeping, tree nurseries, or butterfly farming, a background in sustainable agriculture, teaching, conservation, or environmental issues, a willingness to spend long hours in the field visiting outlying communities and helping with the construction of project materials and an ability to walk moderately long distances (Kakamega is fairly remote).
VOLUNTEER ACCOMMODATION: The accommodation is within the conservancy and it's both accommodation and food. The conservancy is closer to Mombasa, it's called Tsavo. It is a ranch like set up with different rooms for each volunteer. Volunteers may have shared rooms depending on the number with separate toilets. All is within the conservancy or camp.
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS WE OFFER:
Various Community Involvement Program Fees
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$590.00 CAD
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$865.00 CAD
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$910.00 CAD
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$1,090.00 CAD
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$1,320.00 CAD
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$1,500.00 CAD
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$280.00 CAD
PLEASE NOTE: Volunteers are required to pay a Registration Fee of $225.00 CAD, which will be added to the program fee. This fee helps to cover the registration, enrolment, administration and processing costs. To find out what’s included in the program fees, scroll down for additional details.
To convert these prices to your currency click here. Fees may vary depending on the USD exchange rate.
OUR PROGRAM FEES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
Registration Fee - (refundable if you cancel your program), ongoing support from VWB staff, program marketing costs, digital information package, administration costs, travel costs to develop additional programs as well as ongoing costs to sustain programs.
Program Fee - airport pick-up (available from Jomo Kenyatta International airport only), orientation, program supervision, accommodation (private or dormitory style) and meals during volunteer program period, in-country 24/7 volunteer support and in country administration costs.
Additional Costs to the Volunteer - visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), immunizations / vaccinations, in-country trips or tours, transfer to other areas and spending money.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Our enrolment and registration process begin by applying online. Once you have filled out and submitted the online application form, you will receive a confirmation email. To continue on in our enrolment process, all volunteers will be required to pay a Registration Fee of $225.00 CAD, which will be added to the Program Fee. This fee helps to cover the administration and processing costs. Once we receive both the registration and program fee payment, we will send you a confirmation email with the program details and encourage you to book your flight at that time. Our team will be readily available to correspond with you and answer any questions you might have from the time you apply until you reach the project. If you have any further questions or concerns please don't hesitate to contact us at: info@vwbinternational.org.