Program Reviews

I volunteered in UCESCO for one week by participating in women’s empowerment project. It was a great experience. I met amazing people locals, volunteers and members of the organization, who were working wholeheartedly to support others and make an impact to the local community. Even though I participated only for a week UCESCO gave me the opportunity to visit schools in Kibera slums and take part in their activities. It was a unique and unforgettable experience!
In terms of improvement, in my opinion UCESCO has to take into consideration two things: Firstly, the overemphasis is given to involve volunteers into the fundraising process. Secondly, incidents in which members of the organization ask extra money from volunteers (e.g. transportation).
All in all, volunteering in UCESCO is a worthwhile and inspiring experience, which has an significant impact on local community.

I joined the UCESCO volunteering organisation back in June 2023, where I stayed there for a month. I was 18 at the time and doing a gap year, and I am so thankful I decided to go to Kenya, and even more to join the UCESCO association.
UCESCO isn’t an organisation, it’s a family, the staff there treat you as their own, they make you feel so welcomed and make sure to fill you with love. What I loved the most about this experience was that anything could be possible ! As long as you had an idea who’s ultimate goal was to help the people around you, in whatever form, then you could do it and would get full support from UCESCO.
If you want to be independent and do projects of your own, you can. If on the other side you prefer to be in a group, and work with a team, you can do that too. I decided to be in a group whereby I would help out in schools in Kibera and would also help out in clinics.
I’ve learned so much through this experience, as I was preparing to enter medical school, I assisted a doctor in the clinics who taught me much more than any textbook could. I helped out in the schools, where I met some of the most amazing, talented and intelligent kids I’ve ever met. Kids who are hungry to learn more, who will give you all of their love in an instant - even if they don’t know you, kids who are pure at heart.

The UCESCO team became my second family by the end of the month, everybody around me treated me in the best way possible and I will forever be grateful towards them. They’ve taught me so much about life that I cannot put into words.

The organisation is one of the few that is rooted with good and pure values, who’s main and only goal is to help the community around them. Every project is well-thought and unique, where you see and experience much more than what you could imagine. I have made unforgettable memories during this trip, and I will without doubt come back. Ever since I left Nairobi, it is all I’ve been thinking about, I miss it very much.

Great experience. Very flexible NGO and amazing programs. If you are looking for a big adventure while helping the local community you should definetly sign up!!!!!

People are very welcoming in the community and it is also a great place to make new friends from all over the world. I was there for 2 months and never had any kind of problems. The experience I had was very impactful and it is really nice to see what people go through there, it really made me realize just how much we need to value the things that we take for granted in our own house/country.

Going to Kenya for volunteering last summer proved to be one of the most enriching and enjoyable experiences I've had the pleasure to have. UCESCO is a locally based organization which is very much in touch with the communities it is helping and organizes itself quite methodically and efficiently in trying to tackle some of the social issues it combats. I think the biggest strength of the organization is its staff, I got to meet some great people who were always helpful and present for whatever query or issue we might have had. The other volunteers we got to meet and spend time with were also great encounters. Overall a wonderful experience that I would recommend to anyone who is interested in making a, albeit small, but significant impact on a great local community in a beautiful country.

I only was at UCESCO for about 2 weeks. And I absolutely loved it. I felt like I could actually do and help something and also the organisation lets you decide where and what you want to help with. The chance of visiting different sites was really great. Also it was perfect for me, since they also took minor volunteers, wich I am. Before the 2 weeks they answered all of my questions and during my stay they also helped with everything, cared for our safety and always checked on us and gave us the perfect advices of what to visit. Really great organization and team!

Ps: Choose the homestay ;-)

At 54, it was my first time volunteering and my only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. With UCESCO, everything was well taken care of. I lived in a building with other volunteers, who were btw just amazing!!! Bonding among volunteers was facilitated by shared meals, prepared by a very special local lady, who also supported us in many other ways. This allowed me to focus 100% on the project (teaching in high school). Most UCESCO people I worked with, used to or still live in the slums,  so their involvement is selfless and truly comes from the heart. I have now witnessed first hand how a small NGO works and can highly recommend volunteering with UCESCO. Their work addresses a major problem in Africa, and seeing this work from the ground was an amazing experience.

I volunteered with UCESCO in January 2023 for 4 weeks. What a humbling experience it was. If I could write a full sized book about it I would.

I had Hands on, intense volunteering experience in Kibera doing mental health and trauma based service for adolescent girls. Honestly speaking it was an extreme culture shock that I had to go through but spending more and more time in Kibera with the girls made me realise how much there is to be grateful for.

The UCESCO program offers all sorts of different fields to help out; teaching, sports, psychology based, farming, etc. They have a very nice home stay location or can help you with other accommodation.

The actual organisation is a little bit unorganised with respect to structure, however with more hands on experience for the organisation it can only get better. Also it’s more in the volunteers hands to make use of their time there, however I believe that this is more of a positive than a negative as it really encourages you to take initiative and truly make your own personalised difference.

I will remember my time with UCESCO forever and it really was an experience that one can only feel once in a lifetime.

Each member of UCESCO is a fundamental piece for the organization. Thanks to them, volunteers can feel comfortable and make proposals to contribute to the projects. The organic environment is about work. But also about friendship. The UCESCO family is creating long-term sustainable solutions. Through agreements with different schools, orphanages, and organizations. Without a doubt, volunteering with this organization It is a right decision if what you want is to create an impact on the society of this country

I had a really wonderful experience with Ucecso Africa, their projects are amazing and very impactful. Every day was so adventurous and fun. The staff is so nice and takes great care of every single volunteer! I spent 4 weeks there and never felt unsafe. It was a really meaningful time in Kenya, in which I learned a lot about the country, the people and the culture. It is the best way to make an impact and learn about a new country at the same time. I would 100% do it again and will never forget the amazing experience I had with them! I can only recommend doing this project!

My volunteer experience with UCESCO in Kenya was simply impressive. They definitely know what they are doing.
The projects are strategic and sustainable, with a clear focus on long-term impact. Collaborating with UCESCO was inspiring. Their dedication to education, health, and community support is incredible and truly makes a difference.
Kenya will always be a place of inspiration and positive change for me, big thanks to UCESCO.
I was excited about the opportunity to participate in this volunteer program. Reflecting back, joining the volunteer program was a rewarding decision. I will never forget the lessons and memories I gained from this opportunity.
I really miss you guys.