Location
Multiple Locations +4
  • Uganda
  • Philippines
  • Kenya
  • Ghana
    • Cape Coast

Program Details

Housing
Apartment Hotel
Language
English

Pricing

Starting Price
2000
Price Details
The full programme fee is £1995 ($2,830 on 26th of Jan 2016).
Dec 16, 2019
Sep 22, 2015
9 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

In week 1 you will complete a world-class enterprise and innovation course that introduces the key tools and methodologies that drive our entrepreneurial process; the Business Model Canvas, Customer Development, Lean Start-up, Design Thinking.

From week 2 you will work in small teams of International Fellows supporting a group of ambitious local entrepreneurs. Together you will imagine, plan and deliver high impact enterprise support, applying the tools learned during week 1.

As the program progresses, you will work side-by-side with your entrepreneur groups, helping them to develop and test exciting new business ideas. This might involve anything from creating marketing strategies and conducting customer interviews to building prototypes and making sales.

On the final weekend your entrepreneurs will pitch for investment from our Balloon Fund and we’ll support the best ideas to help them launch and grow.

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 12 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Growth 4.95
  • Support 5
  • Fun 4.5
  • Housing 5
  • Safety 4.85
Showing 1 - 8 of 12 reviews
Default avatar
Samantha
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Hands-on and tangible approach to entrepreneurship

During my six weeks in Kenya, I learned more about a realistic approach to entrepreneurship than I did in four years of business school. During the first week, the co-founders Josh Bicknell and Doug Cochrane teach an intensive entrepreneurship course. Their passion for international development is contagious, and by the end of the first week I felt more than prepared for the following five weeks.

The entrepreneur selection process is improving with every program, and I was lucky enough to have really talented entrepreneurs who stayed focused and on-track throughout the length of the program. They all had great business ideas and they all received loans, and it was such a surreal thing to be a part of that. I’ve remained really close with two of them, and have been able to see firsthand how these loans have affected their lives. It has also encouraged them to pursue other business ventures and take smarter risks. Kenyans are some of the greatest people I know, and these relationships will continue for many years.

The social aspect of Balloon Kenya is definitely worth mentioning. I made some of my best friends on this program. The weekend trips are SO fun and a necessity with our hard work during the weeks. One weekend we were in Lake Naivasha, and ended up going on a late night safari! We saw hippos, giraffes, zebras, AND a lion named George! Getting to see those animals at night was a once in a lifetime opportunity. The volunteers chosen for this program are some of the brightest – I truly believe that bringing young 20 somethings together who have a common goal is a big driver to the success of the program.

I would hands down recommend this program to anyone who is interested in pursuing international development, or anyone who is a little unsure on what career path they're interested in taking.

What would you improve about this program?
I would increase the transparency on the administrative side of things. A lot of decisions are made that directly affects the volunteers, and the cause of these decisions isn't always communicated. This tends to rub strongly-opinionated 20 somethings the wrong way.
104 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Hannah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

BK 2013

The training we recieved was invaluable and we hit the ground running from day one (after a short rest after arriving). The whole programme was organised so that we were always active, communicating and sharing ideas and experiences, learning first hand and totally immersing ourselves into the daily lives of the people we would be working with. Balloon Kenya has given me all that I need now to pursue the career I have always dreamed of; whether that be social enterprise, business or community development, I feel well prepared and even more excited about what is possible. I can't see myself being where I am today or where I might be heading without the privilege of the experience that is Balloon Kenya.

What would you improve about this program?
The only critical comment that I can provide is that I felt the programme could have been longer. The first week of training was enough, but the following five weeks to work with our Kenyan groups flew by and I would have liked a little longer to allow more time for our Kenyan groups to really flourish as they all grew in confidence so much from the start I think we could have pushed a little more if we just had another week or two. Also, the programme, the people and Kenya itself was so good to us I could have stayed much longer!!
119 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Aisling
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Balloon Kenya

The time I spent on the Balloon Kenya summer programme was a truly formative and enjoyable experience. The staff were well informed and passionate, encouraging and good fun. The programme strikes an excellent balance between work and play and gave me great insight into potential future career paths. I would recommend the programme to anyone looking for experience in international development or work with a social aim.

113 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Maxine
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The end of volunteer tourism

6 weeks of intense work collaborating with local Kenyan entrepreneurs, from school teachers to craftsmen to chemists. I was initially drawn to Balloon Kenya as this was an opportunity to work abroad on meaningful projects, unlike that which boils down to aid. I had travelled within Africa before and was particularly interested in development and therefore this was a perfect hands-on experience in an environment I knew I loved. I was not expecting nearly as much personal development on the entrepreneurial front as it really taught me to approach tasks both in Kenya and when I returned, with a different mindset. I truly believe the entrepreneurs we worked with benefited from our input and the learning was very much mutual. It was hard work but there was also time to play. Weekend trips included visits to Nairobi, safaris, climbing mount Kenya or having a weekend off, depending on what took your fancy.

What would you improve about this program?
I can genuinely say that there are no things I would improve about the program concept, some logistical things which went wrong are a continually developing and changing anyway.
111 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Amanda
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Balloon Kenya Fellow Experience

This was an incredible 6 weeks and was not at all what I expected. Teaching the Kenyan Entrepreneurs was challenging at times but we were all well prepared in the first week when we had an intense training course.
On the second week we met our Entrepreneurs and gave structured lessons to them. I was nervous about teaching as I hadn't taught before but I soon became comfortable and was able to personally tailor the lessons plans by the fourth week.
On the weekends we had the option to go on excursions such as a rural village stay, camping in rift valley, walks up the Meningai Crater, Visit Mombasa or Nairobi, Safaris in Lake Nakuru and Masai Mara.
If we had enough energy after the busy weekends and hard working days we would sometimes go out in the evening to the local clubs.
I learnt loads on the Balloon Kenya experience, met some inspirational people and had a brilliant time. Most importantly I know my participation was hugely appreciated by my Kenyan Entrepreneurs as many were able to get loans or were able to improve their business without the loan.

What would you improve about this program?
I know the programme is constantly changing but I would have structured the weeks more as the last one was rushed to get the financials right.
Also Doug and Josh should look at getting a safe deposit box fitted to the hotel to look after our passports etc.
105 people found this review helpful.
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David
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The best life experiences one could ask for

It was with trepidation that I embarked on my Balloon Kenya journey but the six weeks in Nakuru were nothing short of phenomenal. It is probably one of the most complete, wide-ranging experiential programme one could go for.

At the core of its programme, I worked closely with local Kenyans to equip them with business and financial knowledge and help them grow their business. Prior to the trip, I wondered if I had the necessary skills; but my doubts were quickly dismissed after receiving entrepreneurship training by Balloon staff early in the programme to strengthen my knowledge and develop my local expertise. It was such a joy working with the fun and passionate Kenyan businessmen, and it was extremely satisfying to see their businesses grow.

Beyond the core work, we had some time to travel around and trust me, Kenya has incredible sights everyone should visit in person. Getting close to the wildest of the wildlife at Maasai Mara safari park was both surreal and unforgettable; visiting local villages and experiencing local life was also eye-opening.

All in all, I highly recommend this programme as it allowed me to develop my professional skills and at the same time have loads of fun. Not to mention, the friendships I made are still what I cherish most today. Occasionally getting updates from the Kenyans that I worked with, to see the success of their businesses since the programme, always bring incredible satisfaction. Of course, you can't expect it to be a totally smooth-sailing programme as you are expected to be challenged and grow through the experience. But with the supportive Balloon staff with you throughout the trip, rest assured you are in good hands.

What would you improve about this program?
A better and more transparent follow-through with businesses to systematically track their progress after the programme.
104 people found this review helpful.
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Niklas
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Inspiring and impactful

The program is very well run but it is anything but rigid so your input will be crucial and one of the best things is that your impact is actually measurable as well as appreciated, which is hugely rewarding. It was a great experience that has definitely helped me grow personally and professionally. Being on the program inspired me to stay in the field of international development and it helped me getting into one of the best postgraduate programs in this field. I formed lasting friendships with both locals and other volunteers and I made valuable contacts at home that I continue to benefit from. If you have the opportunity to go this summer don't miss this great opportunity to meet other motivated young people like you, because it is truly inspiring.

What would you improve about this program?
The food could be better, but then again it is authentic.
102 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Bella
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Balloon Kenya Fellow 2013 Review

From day one Balloon Kenya was fantastic. Week one involved business training where we were taught business skills that can not be learnt out of a textbook. The rest of the five weeks allowed the fellows to apply this knowledge; facilitating the Kenyan entrepreneurs to make a real difference to their lives. I truly believe in the cause that Balloon Kenya support and think the programme will define me as a candidate in my future career.

110 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers