Kenya Volunteer Programs from $23/day | Most Affordable & Trusted

I love kids. I couldn't ask for better students to teach and learn together. Even though we didn't have enough resources at school, the students showed great desire and enthusiasm to learn and participate. I encourage anyone that is planning to volunteer teaching in Kenya to prepare more teaching materials beforehand. Anything that you prepare would be useful. Plus, don't forget to bring a camping lantern too!

Besides education, food and water are major issues that students are facing in Kenya. I started a fundraising page to feed the kids at Bright Star. I hope I will have your support. Please feel free to join me and make a difference together: www.youcaring.com/bright-star-montessori-learning-center-67…

Asante sana!

I really enjoyed this program and I'm very glad that I went! I did the women's education program at Gihon Women's Empowerment Center in Kitengela, Kenya (a 45 minute- 2 hour drive outside Nairobi with traffic). The program and its director, Agnes, were fantastic. Agnes is so appreciative of volunteer help and the center does need it. Some of the time, however, I felt pretty useless. The other volunteer and myself taught a thirty-ish minute lesson each day and the rest of the time the women were usually busy with their sewing teacher learning how to sew. Lessons were on a wide variety of topics from managing finances to safe sex-- most of the women only have a primary school education so they need to learn a lot of more basic things.

I rated the social scene low because there's really nothing to do in Kitengela and it's not safe to go outside at night, especially alone. For the most part, people are friendly but there were definitely some more threatening people on the street (no more so than I would expect from going to Kenya).

The program isn't perfect but I definitely recommend going!! There is SO much need in Kenya and anything we can do to help is so appreciated.

My name is Georgia, I'm 20 years old and Im from England. Im currently a student at Durham University studying Human Geography. Ive just started my final year of my degree and the hot topic of conversation between my friends, family and basically anyone I meet is 'What are you going to do once you graduate?', and my answer to this question was always 'I have no idea'. To be honest with you, its still very daunting and hideously scary to think that soon enough I'm going to be a proper (hopefully) working adult. But after my short time in kenya I realised that my near future doest have to just be a 9-5 office job, running around a hot and sweaty city doing jobs for everyone. I worked with Positive Life Kenya, a small NGO located just outside of Nairobi that work to empower HIV+ women. My daily jobs consisted of home visits to the women, giving support and most importantly finding ways and teaching the women how to become independent financially. We set up an Esty page to sell some of the beautiful jewellery that the women made. We helped maintain the table banking system that supports the women with small loans to help expand their businesses. My experience at this NGO showed me how this type of work really changes lives. Young children were found sponsors so they can leave the slums and get the right support and nutrition. The women found their feet again and could support their families. The vibes of Kenya, the help and security I had from IVHQ and incredible adventures I had, together combine to help give my final answer to that burning question of 'What do I want to do when I graduate?'. My answer is... I want to move to Kenya and work with an NGO that empower women. Okay okay, I havent quite figured out everything yet, but Im working towards finding an internship or placement at an international organisation that will give me the same kind of work experience that IVHQ provided but at a more permanent level. Travelling to new countries, and especially working during your visit, opens your eyes but can also provide real life changing moments.

My three weeks spent in Kenya were amazing. The IVHQ and NVS staff were incredibly supportive, able to answer any questions we had before and during our trip, and even connected us to excursions in our area as all of the affiliated ones were based out of Nairobi. I would highly recommend going to Mombasa to volunteer. Very few volunteers go there (perhaps because of the extra $100 fee), but it is well worth while. Myself and my friend were the only IVHQ volunteers there at the time, but the need for more definitely exists at the schools and various orphanages.

During our time, we were able to spend time with the kids at our placement, but also took on the role of teachers to support the current staff, who are full time local volunteers (receiving no payment for what is the equivalent of a full time job). I would say that this placement (Little Angels Orphanage) is better described as being a teaching placement than childcare, due to the nature of there being a school within the orphanage. With some fundraised money, we purchased school supplies, new uniforms, and a swing set for our orphanage, and sponsored a little girl at our home for two years. Though it is not expected for you to spend your money on donations and sponsorships, your money will likely go a very long way and creates a more long lasting impact for them.

Our weekends were spent doing different fun things. Because we were unable to return to Nairobi (that 10 hour bus ride wasn't going to happen twice) for the IVHQ affiliated safari, one of the NVS staff connected us to a safari to Tsavo East with Grand 5 Safari, which was so amazing. Mombasa placements are also quite close to Diani Beach, a major tourist spot and beautiful place to go relax, have a bite to eat or have a drink, and there is a store nearby to pick up anything you may need. I completely recommend taking at least one venture to Diani, which is about 30 minutes away by a matatu.

Our host family was so warm and welcoming, the food was great, and we had showers and a western toilet (bonus!). Overall, I would completely recommend Kenya, and especially Mombasa, as your volunteer trip. IVHQ and NVS have everything in place for you to have a fun, safe, and valuable time there.

Being a first time traveller and first time volunteer i was very overwhelmed with this trip. But the amazing IVHQ staff eased my anxiety, comforting me and preparing me for a trip of a life time. The first day in half way through orientation everyone already feels like family, especially the IVHQ staff. James, Joe, Cleo and Chomlee accepted this stranger into their family. Joining in on singing and dancing. Now i was ready to embrace what kenya had to offer. Teaching at Blessed Hope Primary school I learned more about myself than i could have imagined. The kids were eager to learn always asking for more. At recess I ran and jumped more than I have in my 21 years of life. They made me feel like a kid again, teaching me their swahili songs and dances.

I have indulged in Kenyas culture, and food (being a picky eater) and loved every bit of it.
Thank you IVHQ for becoming my family, for showing my around Kenya planning trips, teaching me about Kenya's history and culture, Thank you for the experience allowing myself to grow and spread my wings. Thank you to the teachers for accepting me into their school, and thank you to the kids for being who they are, their smiles can light a dark room, can brighten up the world.
Kwaheri, for now.

On the 29th of December 2015 i embarked my journey to Kenya, 18 years of age I decided to challenge myself and travel alone to a foreign country. I arrived in Kenya after a long flight with a short stop over i arrived on the 31st, just in time for the new year celebrations! I was greeted at the airport by Joe, and IVHQ driver who made me feel more than welcome. We arrived safe in Kawagware, were i was greeted by a loving Kenyan family and fellow IVHQ Volunteers.

We had our orientation, were we were informed on the safety and what not to do, after a day of orientation we set out to seperate towns. Placed in Rironi, with the most caring loving host Mum, Winnie, for three weeks i would call this my home. On our first day Winnie walked me to my placement SADAI Childrens home, Where we were greeted by the most excitable loving children. The children’s home reached my exceptions beyond belief, Mumma and Aunty (Head of the Orphanage), were loving and took care of us. We played games, we had several donations for the children, Books, pencils, school equipment, sporting good ect, giving these to the children was the highlight of my experience, to see the happiness ton their faces, and the joy something so little can bring to their lives.
During my experience i became ill, and landed myself in hospital, needless not to say the support of the IVHQ staff was outstanding, getting me to the hospital and visiting me each day.
IVHQ runs programs such as City tours, Safari, these again were amazing, and at a good price considering what we did.

Being a cheaper volunteer program i was a little nervous coming into the experience, but the program reached my expectations and beyond.

overall this was an enjoyable experience that i would do over and over again if i would, not once did i feel unsafe, or uncomfortable. IVHQ exceeded my expectations of any Volunteer program.

Thanks to the help from an amazing organization like IVHQ I can say that I have learned more about myself in one month than I have in the past 21 years. I can't say that I won't take the luxuries I have at home for granted anymore but I have a new appreciation for ALL that I have. I wish I could take these children home with me but they will always inhabit a special home in my heart. I thank them for showing me how to be happy with less than the minimum, sharing their contagious laughs and allowing me to love them. ASANTE SANA IVHQ !

To anyone who is sitting at home or in their office reading this review and saying to themselves - "I really wish I could volunteer in Africa" - well, it is only a few clicks away, and IVHQ is the organization to make it happen. From the moment I registered with IVHQ they were brilliant to deal with, and the ease in which I completed the whole process really made me ask myself why I hadn't signed up to volunteer earlier.

Once I had arrived in Kenya, NVS, which is IVHQ's local partner organization, were equally great to deal with. Joe, James, Chomlee, and John were all lovely, genuine guys, and although they sometimes did run on "Kenyan time", I will forever be indebted to them for placing me at Blessed Hope Primary School.

Blessed Hope is located in Kibera slum, and the school is currently operating out of a leased church hall. The school is owned and operated by two of the most selfless and generous women I have ever encountered - Director Elsa and Teacher Garret. Their passion and commitment to the students at Blessed Hope was infectious, and I had never felt more motivated to help. I signed up for the Sports Education program with IVHQ, so I would take various classes to the show-grounds (dirt field) for about an hour each day to play soccer. To ensure I maximized my time while at Blessed Hope, I also taught Maths to the Standard 2 and 3 classes. As much fun as I had playing soccer with the children, I found the teaching aspect to be a lot more rewarding as I could constantly see and document the progress being made.

After school had finished on most days, I would sit down with Director Elsa to review our 'urgent project list' for Blessed Hope. With the help of the NVS team, it was hugely satisfying to be able to complete all of the projects on that list while I was in Kenya. My focus has now shifted to raising enough money to purchase land in Kibera for Blessed Hope to establish a permanent base. (I will add the link to our fundraising page at the end of my review for anyone who is interested in checking it out)

As my placement was located in Kibera, I spent the duration of my time in Kenya staying at the main volunteer house with Miriam and Sarah as my hosts. Again, I can't say enough positive things about my experience here. Miriam and Sarah were both extremely caring and considerate, and they were always available to help volunteers in whatever way was needed. Sure, we endured some difficulties at the house from time to time with water and electricity, but isn't that the kind of experience you're prepared for when going to Africa?? I never once felt like my safety was in danger while at the house or at any other time during my placement, and I will really miss walking through the slum everyday. It is a very grounding experience.

I'll wrap this up by telling a story from my Standard 3 Maths class - as I was setting homework during my first week at Blessed Hope, one of my students asked me if I could give a prize to the student who scores the highest. I said to him that I'd collate the weekly homework results and then give a prize to whoever had the best overall performance. I asked him what he wanted the prize to be - Lollies? Snacks? Things a typical 9 year old child might want. He replied, "a pencil".

These children want to learn, and they want to have a chance to succeed in life. They are rarely without a smile on their faces, and in the short time that I spent in Kenya, I can honestly say that they changed my perspective on life. I would recommend the Kenya program to anyone who is considering it.

Sincerely,
Michael

www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/blessedhope