Volunteer in KENYA
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Swahili and English
POPULATION: 38,000,000 (2007)
GDP per CAPITA (PPP US$): Kenya $1,436 Canada $36,687 (2008)
% of Population BELOW POVERTY LINE: 39.7% (2008)
United Nations Human Development Index (HDI)
The HDI measures the average progress of a country in human development. It provides a ranking of 179 countries based on three dimensions of human developemnt: living a long and healthy life, being educated and having a decent standard of living.
Kenya Country Ranking #144
WHY VOLUNTEER IN KENYA?
Kenya's population has tripled over the past 30 years. With this rise in population comes a significant rise in poverty. The causes of increased poverty include low agricultural productivity, unemployment and low wages, high cost of health and education and HIV/AIDS. Women are particularly vulnerable because they do not have equal access to social and economic assets. Subsistence farming is the primary - and often the only - livelihood. Volunteers who choose Kenya have the opportunity to work on two very different projects. Those who volunteer with our Host Partner, Comfort the Children, work with the Maasai people of Kenya in the Rift Valley, about 2 hours from Nairobi, building schools, libraries, and community facilities. Participants directly contribute to educational opportunities as a a sustainable way to reduce poverty. Or, volunteers can work in Naro Moru with our Host Partner, Mt.Kenya Community Reforestation project, constructing water tanks, laying water pipes, and assisting with a tree nursary. Developing World Connections' long term commitment is to help improve the community members' life options and to increase their self-sufficiency.
WHY VOLUNTEER IN KENYA?
Kenya's population has tripled over the past 30 years. With this rise in population comes a significant rise in poverty. The causes of increased poverty include low agricultural productivity, unemployment and low wages, high cost of health and education and HIV/AIDS. Women are particularly vulnerable because they do not have equal access to social and economic assets. Subsistence farming is the primary - and often the only - livelihood. Volunteers who choose Kenya have the opportunity to work on two very different projects. Those who volunteer with our Host Partner, Comfort the Children, work with the Maasai people of Kenya in the Rift Valley, about 2 hours from Nairobi, building schools, libraries, and community facilities. Participants directly contribute to educational opportunities as a a sustainable way to reduce poverty. Or, volunteers can work in Naro Moru with our Host Partner, Mt.Kenya Community Reforestation project, constructing water tanks, laying water pipes, and assisting with a tree nursary. Developing World Connections' long term commitment is to help improve the community members' life options and to increase their self-sufficiency.
Click here to watch a video created by a high school student who travelled with his class to Maai Mahui to work with Host Partner, Comfort the Children.
WHAT WILL I DO?
Volunteer Abroad! In collaboration with our host-partners, efforts are focused on the creation of education opportunities, economic projects, healthcare, community and environmental awareness as a sustainable approach to poverty alleviation. No special skills are required. We invite people who cannot give the gift of time to donate to Kenyan projects and programs through Developing World Connections. Visit the Donate page or contact us for more ways to be of service.
Volunteer Abroad! In collaboration with our host-partners, efforts are focused on the creation of education opportunities, economic projects, healthcare, community and environmental awareness as a sustainable approach to poverty alleviation. No special skills are required. We invite people who cannot give the gift of time to donate to Kenyan projects and programs through Developing World Connections. Visit the Donate page or contact us for more ways to be of service.
WHAT CAN I SEE?
Upon completion of the volunteer experience, we recommend you experience a safari in the Maasai Mara, the best destination in Kenya for viewing abundant wildlife, where more than two million wildebeest migrate yearly from the Serengeti. Take in the sweeping views of the Great Rift Valley, a high escarpment wall that plunges to the flat-bottomed valley below, dotted by a small string of volcanoes. Enjoy the tropical climate of Mombasa, the centre of Kenya’s coastal tourism and its second largest city.
Upon completion of the volunteer experience, we recommend you experience a safari in the Maasai Mara, the best destination in Kenya for viewing abundant wildlife, where more than two million wildebeest migrate yearly from the Serengeti. Take in the sweeping views of the Great Rift Valley, a high escarpment wall that plunges to the flat-bottomed valley below, dotted by a small string of volcanoes. Enjoy the tropical climate of Mombasa, the centre of Kenya’s coastal tourism and its second largest city.
Navigate its intricate streets in the Old Town and visit its national monuments to gain a sense of its complicated and bloody past. Participate in a range of coastal activities from scuba diving and surfing, to water skiing and sailing.
WHEN CAN I GO?
|
2012 - Volunteer Experience Schedule |
| MAY 12 TO JUNE 9 (Student: Naro Moru) |
| JUNE 9 TO JUNE 30 (Student: Naro Moru) |
| JUNE 14 TO JUNE 28 (Short Term: Naro Moru) |
| DECEMBER 1 TO DECEMBER 15 (Short Term: Naro Moru) |
Note: The Volunteer Experiences Schedule will be updated every two weeks. It is subject to change depending on flight arrangements and suitability for host communities.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
For one week, the Program Cost is $1,600 and for two weeks it’s $2,000. This includes in-country food, in-country ground transportation, in-country accommodation, project costs and a substantial direct donation to the host partner. It’s 100% tax deductible.
