Volunteer in Kenya (Masai)
Kenya (Masai) Overview
Last August spaces - book online today
Volunteer in Kenya and experience life as a Masai warrior in one of Africa's most beautiful and scenic countries. Our volunteer project and cultural exchange in the Masai community can be varied as you want it to be and as flexible. Whether you want to just kick back and take in everyday life with your fellow volunteers and host family or whether you want to get involved with the local school , there is something for everyone here. As you settle in to community life you can also adapt your experience as the days pass, from spending time with the family to trying teaching for the first time, milking the family goat to joining in with Masai celebrations! And even if you have nothing planned, each day the children will never be far aware trying to catch their house guest's attention!
For a teaching role, you do not need any teaching experience to be a successful volunteer-just a commitment to have a go.
If you have never taught before and only have enough confidence to work alongside another volunteer and hand out photocopied worksheets from home and stick smiley stickers on the children's work, you will be making a huge difference to the children's self confidence and interest in education. Be warned though - distances in the Masai between villages and elsewhere can be long so this is a great project for getting fit as you will be doing a lot of walking if you leave your host family/village for activities, volunteering and shopping! Do bring a sturdy pair of walking boots or stronger pair of trainers.
1 in 10 volunteers will extend their stay on this trip, so think twice before you buy that 2 week return flight - you might want to stay a lot longer than you planned for. And if you only have a week or two to spare - speak to your coordinator about how to utilise your time and experience to the maximum, perhaps with a safari slotted in.
Images from Kenya (Masai)
Country: Kenya (Masai)
Book your placement with £125. Then pay £75 per week to volunteer with the traditional Masai Community in Kenya.
Your memories
We have been sent some of the most lovely photos from volunteers at play and at work, they are truly inspirational.
Photo Album by Charlotte Ball
Photo Album by Claire Turnbull
Photo Album by Charlotte Williams
.jpg "Volunteer Abroad with Original Volunteers")
Photo Album by Elya Osmanova
Photo Album by Kit Perry
Photo Album by Melissa Laucht
Photo Album by Stephanie Wells
What next?
If you would like to book over the phone or simply ask more questions please call us on 01603 627 007
See related video ‘How to book’
If you know where and when you want to go, then you can book online.
You can also change your date of arrival or country at any time.
Trip info for Kenya (Masai)
Country: Kenya (Masai)
Book your placement with £125. Then pay £75 per week to volunteer with the traditional Masai Community in Kenya.
Change lives and volunteer in Kenya (Masai) 2013 - 2014
Volunteer in Kenya (Masai)
Come to Kenya and experience life in a Masai reserve. On this project you will be living and working within the Masai community on the Masai Mara National Reserve. Live with a family and enjoy a cultural exchange and if you choose to, get involved with a school or informally within the community. There is no need to be a volunteer away from your family to be busy as cooking, washing dishes, tending to livestock and playing with the smaller children can keep you very busy. Medical volunteers can also assist in the hospital dispensary. Get a unique insight into the daily life of Kenya’s Masai community with this fulfilling and eye-opening project.
Skills and Experience, specific skills and experience are not needed. This project is very flexible, volunteers will be just as welcomed by living and sharing the daily family life. Any additional skills you have will be much appreciated and interesting. There is plenty of time in the afternoons and it isn’t all work, so think outside the box and bring some creative energy and ideas with you. Sports fans may want to introduce new sports, artists may want to be bring art materials.
What's included
Accommodation: Volunteers live alongside villagers Masai style usually with two volunteers sharing. Three meals a day are provided. Informal, day to day support will be provided by your host family and project co-ordinators and easily be reached by telephone.
Airport pick-up: Although there is a charge for pick up, airport pick up is arranged automatically for all volunteers arriving at Nairobi Airport. Cost is payable on arrival and varies between £25 and £64 depending on the location of host family or village the volunteer is placed at. The pick up cost can be shared if travelling with others.
We consider this project ideal if you...
- Want to experience life within a traditional African tribe.
- Want a relaxed and varied experience at your own pace.
- Enjoy the outdoor life.
- Want to get back to basics away from it all for a short while.
- Want a unique experience that is something to remember for many years to come!
What's not included
Flights
Visas
Insurance
Return Airport transfer. After arrival your coordinator can help you arrange return transfer.
Local Transport around Nairobi
Highlights
Experience a completely different culture and way of life.
Choose from a range of volunteering options.
Enjoy some of Africa’s best wildlife safaris.
Food
Kenyans make their food from locally sourced produce such as goat, chicken and vegetables with rice. When staying in the volunteer accommodation, as part of your stay you will be provided with three traditional meals per day. These can be starchy so take your favourite treats from home. You can also top up with snacks and plenty of drinking water on arrival in Kenya at a supermarket on the way so no need to take everything from home! However there is plenty of time at the weekend to visit the local shops to stock up on supplies for the week ahead.
Local support
Your host family will be your first point of contact and will assist with immediate day to day support whilst you are on the project. Alternately, there is always a co-ordinator nearby, who you can contact via telephone. They can help you with anything you are worried about or generally need help with. Anyone ill or needing hospital treatment will be escorted.
Project resources and advice
The Masai community has very few resources and luxuries. Pack plenty in your rucksack before you arrive. A thick novel or travel guide to read, a pack of cards, a couple of games, connect four, snakes and ladders or similar usually go down well if you spend the evening with the children. If you plan to teach during your stay, may also wish to bring stationary and other teaching resources to cover a few different subjects from Maths, English, Science and Geography. A good phrasebook on Swahili will be extremely useful. But don’t worry if teaching is not your thing, volunteers are equally welcome to play and teach informally with the family and in the community, but you will need to bring basic materials you need from home.
Getting around
It is very easy to get around in Kenya. Transport is usually done by matutu, which to us is like a mini-bus. It is relatively easy to get to Nairobi from the project, and offers all the modern conveniences. Ask your coordinator about getting back to the airport at the end of your stay, they will be more than happy to organise this for you. Smaller towns closeby also offer basic amenities.
Local facilities
Nairobi is the largest city in Kenya, it is here where you will find local facilities, including several banks; including Barclays, Internet cafes and lots more amenities that you may need. Nairobi centre is around 30 miles north of the project but transport can be slow so you may want to allow a day or two for a trip in and a stayover. There is also a local hospital nearby that is easy to get to should you need to see a doctor. Most volunteer stays are hassle free with stomach upsets due to the change in diet being the main concern in the first few days after arrival.
How to apply
It is quick an easy to book with Original Volunteers. You can book online or call us on now on 01603 627 007 and book over the phone.
See related video ‘How to book’.
It costs £125 to book. Once book you can go to as many placements as you want within a year without having to pay the booking fee of £125 again.
The booking fee instantly books and reserves your place for any month you choose .We are very flexible. Just let us know if your plans change and spaces permitting we will put you on another list.
Fast facts - Project information
Project Duration: Min 1 week - Max 4 weeks
Location of project: Masai reserve to the south of Nairobi
Arrival Airport: Nairobi
Activities: Cultural exchange with local family. Helping with teaching and providing general care and assistance in looking after the children. This will involve playing games, teaching English & Maths and basic life skills.
Working Hours: Flexible; if volunteering this is usually Monday to Friday until lunchtime all other time is usually free.
Getting to the project: Airport pick-up is available for all volunteers once we have received your flights to Nairobi.
Requirements: All volunteers must be 18+ on day of arrival and have a genuine interest or curiosity in living a completely different way of life. Camping with family or friends or at a weekend music festival where luxuries are limited may be an ideal preparation if unsure!
On arrival
On arriving in Nairobi, an airport pick-up is available, so there will be someone there waiting for you at the airport when you arrive. The person that picks you up at the airport will take you to the volunteer accommodation closeby for an orientation and overnight stay. The co-ordinator will explain how things work the next day you will then be transferred to the project. As there are 2 start dates per month, for most of the year there will be a good sized group arriving at once so you won’t be on your own and everyone will be in the same position.
Accommodation
Accommodation is included. Volunteers stay in Masai style huts or sheds, which are made from traditional materials, with usually two volunteers sharing. Be prepared for rustic living, the accommodation is very basic with no electricity or running water. Don’t forget to bring some wet wipes with you!
Free time
In the afternoons when not busy and at weekends volunteers are free to travel around. Most volunteers tend to head into Nairobi; sometimes going to cafes and emailing home. Also, volunteers organise themselves into groups to go exploring together; this way you are not alone and feel safe and can have fun with others. Trips and excursions can be easily arranged through the Nairobi Tourist Office after arrival. Typically volunteers plan weekends safaris for the end of their visits.
Not on your own
Unlike most projects where volunteers arrive on any day of the month, for this project it is likely another volunteer or two will be on the same flight. This is because there are two start dates each month. Do get yourself on the Buddy List, then other volunteers can get in touch with you and you can get in touch with others. Some volunteers even meet up at the airport at the same time to check in together and sit together on the flight.
What to take
Once you have applied and registered with Original Volunteers, you will receive an Information Pack via email that will have further details onthe project in Kenya; in this email there will be a list of items to take or you can contact the project closer to arrival when you receive their contact details
Things that you will need to organise yourself
Flights to Nairobi airport, Kenya
Travel Insurance
Visa can be obtained at the airport on arrival - approximately $50 at time writing.
In-country transport (except your airport pickup on arrival)
Tours, trips and add-ons – these are easy to organise.
Visit the local Tourist office and they can help you set them up.
Any extra equipment
Extra food and snacks on your days off
When to pay for this project
An invoice will be sent by email approximately 30 days before travel, or sooner if you are travelling sooner. This is the easiest way to pay.
Kenya (Masai) at a glance
Kenya is bordered by Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda and Sudan. The capital city is Nairobi. Kenya is named after Mount Kenya, which is the second among the highest peaks in Africa.Kenya gained independence in 1963 and a key figure in Kenya’s liberation was Jomo Kenyatta, the first president of the country
Please note that this project is a ‘getting back to basics’ experience and will not suit everyone. It may be best viewed as an experience matching that of the stone age and the volunteer will need to take with them everything they consider will make their stay more comfortable. Although every care has been taken by local coordinators not to put volunteers in any challenging situation they have limited resources and time to 'soften' the Masai experience . For volunteers looking for more western accommodation in Africa we recommend Ghana or Morocco. Please see Requirements-left.
Climate
Kenya has a tropical climate. Kenya gets a lot of sunshine all year round; however it is usually cooler in the morning and evenings. The hottest period in Kenya is February to March and the coldest is July to August. April to June is the longest rain season. The highest temperature in Kenya is 30 degrees and the lowest is 22 degrees.
