Become a Volunteer - UCESCO Africa (Kenya)

During my time as a volunteer in Kenya, I got to help out with different projects that aimed to make things better for people there. I worked with teams on stuff like education, healthcare, and taking care of the environment. It was cool to be part of such important work and to meet lots of different people. Sometimes things were tough, like not having enough resources or dealing with problems, but I learned to keep going and find solutions. Being involved in local projects showed me how working together can really make a difference. And besides all that, my time in Kenya was super fun and taught me a lot about the world and myself. Facing challenges like resource limitations I developed resilience and creative problem-solving abilities. Through grassroots involvement, I witnessed firsthand the impact of collective action and the power of community-driven solutions. My time in Kenya enriched my perspective, fostering lifelong connections and inspiring a continued commitment to service and global citizenship. I really recommend this project.

During my time in Kenya, I gained extensive experience that encompassed both work and cultural immersion. I worked on a development project, collaborating with local communities to promote sustainable agricultural practices. Through this work, I gained a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within Kenya's development sector. I also had the opportunity to immerse myself in Kenya's rich culture and history through interactions with local people and by exploring the diverse communities and traditions of the country. Participating in traditional ceremonies and festivals helped broaden my horizons and deepen my understanding of Kenya's cultural diversity. During my time in Kenya, I also developed valuable interpersonal skills by working in a multicultural team and effectively communicating with people from diverse backgrounds. It was really strong experience to work in Kibera and see how people live there. The staff was really nice and the fact that I was able to also go to a different project on the country side made the whole adventure more wonderful. I really recommend this project!

I was so nervous going in because I was travelling alone but I had the best time ever. I made a bunch of friends, learned from the amazing community and culture, and boosted my resume for college. I would definitely recommend going for at least 10 days and bringing a friend or significant other, but if you decide to go alone you will still have a good experience. Elizabeth and Edna will ensure that you have an amazing trip, all while keeping you safe and happy. The people at UCESCO are truly incredible at their jobs.

I went to Kenya for 3 weeks in June 2023. I taught/ helped out in primary schools in the slums. It was such a valuable experience. The staff are amazing. So helpful and really care about everyone (the community and the volunteers). The accommodation they give you are nice and clean. Breakfast and dinner are made for you. To get to the slums you can take an Uber. If you ride share with other volunteers it will be even cheaper but it’s cheap anyway. It’s a really valuable experience. I met so many amazing people and would love the chance to go again. 10/10 recommend.

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.