Volunteer in

Kenya

Frequently asked questions (FAQ's - Kenya)

FAQ's Application and Program Details

What is the best time to apply for volunteer programs in Kenya? expand_more

VolSol recommends all its volunteers to apply well in advance. Our major booking seasons are from January to July and September to December. 

As we have limited spots available in our programs and we serve on first come first basis, it is strongly recommended to apply for the program and reserve your spot in the program well in advance. You can book your spot in the program by filling an online form and pay the application fee. 

Once you complete your application, your individual 'My Account' will be active in which you will receive your placement confirmation after which you can pay the program fees. You can pay the program fees later as well in installments, but 45 days before the program starts. 

How long does it take to process my application? Will my application be accepted? expand_more

After you complete your application, your personalized ‘My Account’ will be active.You will need to upload your CV/Resume along with your photo in the same. Our backend team and the placement site takes around 10-12 days to review your application. After we review your CV and documents, your booking is confirmed and booking confirmation is updated in your ‘My Account’. Some projects need a mandatory criminal background check and the same is mentioned in the project info of your program. Approval of your application depends on your qualification and eligibility criteria for each project.

Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the Kenya volunteer programs? expand_more

Yes, the program requirements are as follows:
Volunteers must be 17 years or older at the time of joining the program.
Need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. Keep your expectations real and humble.
The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.
Participants must be in good health.

For Medical /Healthcare Program, participants must be at least 18 yrs old and be a Pre-Medical, Medical, Nursing Students or Medical Professional. Participants possessing other qualifications such as CNA, midwives are also welcome to join the program. All medical program participants need to provide a copy of their certifications/ credentials along with their passport copies.

Can I volunteer as part of a group? expand_more

We encourage our participants to volunteer in a group. We take special care in providing you a placement and also customize your itinerary to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Also, we can design special group programs for groups of 5 or more. Our programs are designed to be safe, affordable and offer a great group volunteering experience to the volunteers.
 
In our experience of more than 12+ years we have enabled and facilitated volunteer program placements for college groups, university groups, high school groups, group of families, group of couples as well as groups of colleagues.

Kenya is one of our popular destination among student groups and is highly recommended for family volunteering as well.

Can I know more about the Program Location in Kenya? expand_more

Volunteering Solutions offers programs in Nairobi and its suburbs such as Kikuyu, Riruta, Zambezi and Kawangware. Popularly known as ‘Green City in the Sun’,  Nairobi is the capital of Kenya and is the largest city in the country. 

When do I need to arrive in Kenya for my program? What will happen once I arrive in Kenya? expand_more

All volunteers need to arrive on the mentioned program arrival dates. 
Volunteers are picked up from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi, by the in-country coordinator or representative and will be transferred to the accommodation. Those who are arriving overland or are already in Kenya? will be picked up at a meeting point decided beforehand.

Flights and Visa

Do I need to take a Visa to go to Kenya? expand_more

Participants can attain the Visa on arrival at Nairobi airport or can apply for Kenyan Visa beforehand at the nearby embassy. Citizens of most of the countries can get Visa on arrival at the airport in Nairobi. Further details will be provided in the Pre-departure booklet for the participants.

What are the recommended airlines to fly to Kenya? expand_more

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi is the busiest airport in East Africa and serves as the hub for international flights in that region. It is well connected with flights from major European, Middle Eastern and Asian cities.
Some of the major airlines operating in Kenya are:
Kenya Airways
British Airways
Turkish Airlines
KLM Dutch Airlines
Swiss Air
Emirates
Etihad Airways 
Egypt Air

Health and Safety

How safe is Kenya and Nairobi in particular? expand_more

Kenya is one of the most popular destinations of the world visited by many tourists and nature enthusiasts. The Kenyan people are very warm and friendly towards foreigners.
Volunteers are informed about the necessary safety precautions during the Orientation session as well as in the pre-departure information guide. You will have the assistance and support of the in-country coordinator in Kenya. It is strongly recommended to follow the safety rules and regulations provided by the in-country coordinator. 

What immunizations/vaccinations will I need? expand_more

Participants are recommended to consult their travel doctor before their arrival in Kenya.  
All travelers are required to carry an International Certificate of Vaccination (Yellow Card) to show proof of yellow fever immunization. 

The recommended vaccinations are as follows: 
Yellow Fever
Hepatitis A and B
Typhoid

Do I need to buy health insurance? expand_more

Yes, for all volunteers it is mandatory to have a travel medical insurance. To provide the best option to our participants, we offer comprehensive insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider. 

Accommodation and Living

How do I get to the program location? expand_more

After providing the Orientation about city, placement, project and culture, your in-country coordinator will take you to your project placement on the first day and introduce you to everyone. You will be given the directions to reach the project location from your accommodation and briefed about the mode of transport to be used.

Can I know more about accommodation and food arrangements? expand_more

The accommodations are provided in a volunteer home in Nairobi. The volunteer’s home is well equipped with all the modern amenities to ensure a comfortable stay for the volunteers. In certain cases, volunteers are also accommodated in the orphanage project premises itself. 

Volunteers are provided two meals a day. Breakfast usually comprises of toast, tea, fruits, ?and eggs. Dinner usually comprises traditional Kenyan or Western foods.

Can vegetarians be accommodated? expand_more

Yes - please do ensure that you inform the local team about your food preference and they can help ensure you are able to order the best food! Also, please do mention your specific food preference in the application form as well. 

Would I have free time during my program ? Can I do sightseeing during my program? expand_more

Volunteers work for 5-6 hours in a day for 5 days a week depending on the program requirements. You will have the evenings and weekends free for you to explore in and around the city. During the weekends, you can take a safari to Masai Mara and Lake Nakuru National Park or the Nairobi National Park. You can also go on a short excursion and interact with the locals, learn about their cuisines and customs. In Nairobi, volunteers can visit Masai market, Bomas of Kenya, Giraffe center and Carnivore Restaurant.

We encourage our volunteers to travel. We have designed various weekend tours which can be booked under the ‘Add-on Tours’ section in your ‘My Account’. You in-country coordinator will also help you book and organize the tours once you are in the country. 

What clothing is appropriate? Any cultural restrictions? expand_more

We recommend comfortable, casual and semi-casual clothing: sweat shirts, shorts, jeans, skirts and any other daily wear. It is recommended to include warm clothing for nights, especially if you are volunteering in July and August. Avoid flashy and expensive items such as jewelry etc.

While traveling, it is recommended to follow local etiquette and customs. Female volunteers need to wear pants and/or long skirts. Dressing in Nairobi is quite liberal. However, approach it with cultural sensitivity in mind. You will be provided with a kit list in your pre-departure? booklet. As for footwear, hiking boots, old sports shoes or open-toed sandals are recommended.

Are there more expenses once I arrive in Kenya? expand_more

Your program fee covers your food, accommodation, airport pick-up, orientation, pre-departure information and in-country staff support. You will need to cover yourself for your personal expenses, such as traveling, airport drop, telephone, the internet, shopping, sightseeing etc. Traveling to Kenya is cheap; however, you should carry around $50 - $75 per week for your basic personal expenses, such as water, local transport, phone etc. The cost for return airport transfer is around $50. 
For organizing weekend excursions, the in-country coordinator will help you to book the same at the best prices. 

For how many hours will I volunteer every day? expand_more

Volunteers usually work for 5 to 6 hours a day, for 5 days a week depending on their program. You will have weekends free to explore in and around the city. However, volunteers need to be flexible, open minded and understand that work requirements can change as well on certain occasions.

Where can I change my money in Kenya? Are there ATMs in Kenya? expand_more

You can change money at any bank or at the airport by showing your passport. Volunteers can exchange money at the currency exchange counters located at the airport. There are ATMs located all around the capital city, Nairobi.The major banks in Kenya are Barclays, Equity Bank, NIC Bank and Kenya Commercial Bank.

Connect with Past Volunteers

How can I connect with past and current volunteers of Kenya? expand_more

We encourage volunteers to get in touch with former Volunteering Solutions participants and also other program participants joining our projects. You are recommended to join the Volunteering Solutions Facebook Page or Facebook Group to connect with other participants and our team.

To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit ?the Meet a Volunteer section on our website.