Placement Overview

This is a fantastic opportunity to live and work in one of Africa's most beautiful and scenic countries whilst enriching and enhancing the lives of ex-street children.
Besides the obvious abundance of wildlife roaming the plains and the yearly migration of wildebeest that draws in thousands of tourists Kenya is also famous for its colourful culture and tribal history, enabling you to put something back, explore and experience in one trip.

Your Experience

As a volunteer you will be helping at an educational centre for street children between the ages of 5 and 17 in a suburb of Mombasa. Volunteers will be involved in a variety of tasks depending on the current level of need although the emphasis is placed on education and activities.

You could also be helping with meal times, playing with the children,  reading bedtime stories, creating activities, teaching English or basic maths such as adding up or the times tables. By taking this placement you will be filling an important role in the lives of these children...as well as assisting the hardworking staff at the centres.

You do not need any teaching experience to be a successful volunteer-just a commitment to have a go and get stuck in! Most of the teachers have little education themselves and few ideas for activities so no one will be judging your performance!

If you have never taught before and only have the confidence to hand out photocopied worksheets from home and praise the children while they work you will be making a huge difference.

This alone, without songs and other ideas you may have will already be an inspirational new learning experience for the children. Some volunteers get involved with working with street children or on farm projects associated with the same organisation. During your free time the beach is a short walk away and the beautiful old streets of Mombasa old town is well worth a visit or two.

Other opportunities: During busy volunteering periods volunteers occasionally have opportunities to spend time at sister projects elsewhere in Kenya and over the border in Tanzania.

Kenya at a glance

Kenya is a stunning country from the reserves on the plains to the beaches on the Indian Ocean attracting tourists from all over the world. Amboseli, Tsavo and the Masai Mara are excellent for game viewing and you do not need to stay long. In one typical two to three day tour you will encounter lions, hippos, giraffe, zebras, hyenas, antelope and elephant and can be booked easily in Mombasa at the tourist office for as little as £250. The North around Samburu and Turkana are off the beaten track and an anthropologist's dream . The climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro takes several days but is worth it. Not to be missed: Mount Kenya, Masai Mara, Thompson's Falls, Lake Nakuru, Mt Kilimanjaro.

Climate:subtropical or temperate, in general similar to summer in France/California. Festivals: January 1st; August 15th; October 2nd; also major Hindu, Christian and other religious holidays. Time difference from UK: GMT +3hrs. Hottest month: February. Coldest month: July

Apply now by phone 0800 345 75 82 (Outside of the UK ++ 44 01603 627007) or on-line. There are no set arrival dates other than arriving between Mon and Thursday during the day before 4pm.

Start sourcing your flight to Mombasa now-volunteers recommend the following companies: Dial A Flight, STA Travel, Opodo and Trailfinders.

Pick-up from Mombasa airport available for morning/afternoon flights between Monday and Friday. At other times or for overlanders please call us to confirm current arrangements 0800 345 75 82