About our volunteer programs

 

Our volunteer programs offer you opportunity to volunteer for nature and community development in Africa

We have a variety of volunteer programs that will give you an excellent opportunity to serve nature and humanity in Africa. Volunteer fees charged during placement will help us generate funds needed to implement our conservation

programs.

 

We welcome you to volunteer with us or support someone to participate.

 

Thank you for your support.

 

Placements

 

Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum offers a range of volunteering opportunities. Our programs are principally nature conservation based. Even those placements that are not major conservation based, they have a component of conservation in conservation of nature.

 

Country- Kenya, East Africa

 

Communication Languages: English, Kiswahili

 

Duration- Our programs are organized in weekly basis- 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks

 

Minimum duration- Two weeks

 

Maximum duration- 12 weeks

 

Placement durations packages: Two Weeks, Four Weeks, Six Weeks, Eight Weeks, Twelve Weeks

 

Program Price

 

• From  $ 990 every two weeks 

• No registration fees

• Projects lasting between listed durations can be arranged for a higher price. For example, for a 13 day project the "2 weeks" price would apply.

• Duration less than one week or longer than 12 weeks- is possible on request and on special arrangements and at a higher prize as follows:

• Volunteers pay USD 575 for one week or less than one week duration

• Volunteers pay additional USD 50 for every week after 12 weeks.

• Tailor Made Programs: Prize from $ 975 per week excluding cost for field trips. Cost will depend on duration and the nature of the desired program.

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What is included in the program fees?

 

• Support  from program staff

• Information pack

• Administration costs 

• Communication costs with volunteers

• Airport pick –up

• Welcome meeting

• Orientation to the volunteering area

• Introduction to local culture and relevant basic Kenya Law

•  Project equipment and materials required during the program

• Program supervision

• Basic accommodation(usually shared) and basic meals during volunteer program period

• 24/7-hour emergency phone

• Administration Costs during the program

• Introduction to Swahili language (Swahili lessons can be arranged at an extra cost).

• Introduction to African Wildlife and Environmental Conservation

• Farewell dinner

• Introduction to communicative teaching training

• Transfer back to the airport from program

• Certificate of participation

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What is not included

 

• Flights -local and international flights

• Medical and travel insurance which are mandatory

• Visa costs

• Personal kit

• Additional drinks, meals and gratuities

• Any costs of personal nature

• Extra local excursions

• International and domestic airport taxes

• Airport transfers

Placement Details

Before you leave your country, you will be given details of the placement. These include details regarding your placement and supervisor, contacts of the host family where applicable, and any other relevant information.

Program administration

The placement programs will be administered by Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum Director of Programs assisted by other staff members. Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum acts as a point of contact with our staff and a general meeting point for volunteers. Our staff assists with any issues, concerns, problems, advice, and general administration that may arise during your placement. Our staffs are available 24/7 hours by phone.

Pre-Departure Advice

 Our Director of Programs will contact you once you have applied and will give advice and answer any questions you may have about the placement. Once you've been accepted to our programs you will receive a letter of offer via email which includes information about what you will expect from the program, what the program expects from you, packing lists, climate, cultural advice and legal issues about the country you are visiting. In general you will be advised on the terms and conditions of the placement program.

Safety and security

Throughout your placement period we take your safety and security very seriously. In that connection we have put in place systems and procedures that will ensure you are safe and secure while you are attached to our programs including field excursions. Safety and security is also a responsibility of an individual. Thus volunteers will be advised on their personal roles to ensure their own safety and security while undertaking our programs.

Health and Insurance: All of our volunteers must be covered by a comprehensive medical and travel insurance. This is mandatory and it is a responsibility of a volunteer. The insurance cover should include repatriation as may be necessary. If a volunteer falls ill, our staff we assist with hospital arrangements and insurance liaison.

Communication Language

English language will be the official instruction language during your placement including at your home stay.

Supervisors

Every volunteer will be allocated an English speaking supervisor who monitors volunteer activities and ensures the placement program continues as planned. It is also the role of the supervisor to address volunteer concerns and issues to ensure the volunteers are happy as they carry out their activities. Volunteers will be given personal telephone contacts of their supervisors so as to enable them access them any time all the times.

Volunteer Accommodation

Our volunteers are accommodated in comfortable home stays with a local family in Kenya, specifically in the western slopes of Mt. Kenya within Nyeri and/ or Laikipia Counties. From their home stays volunteers will have a magnificent view of Mt. Kenya, the second highest mountain in Africa, 17,000 ft (over 5000m) above sea level. Volunteers will stay and interact with communities living in and around Mt. Kenya Ecosystem. Electricity and running water is available. This however may not be the case in some homes. Toilets may be the modern western types or in some cases long drop toilets. Hot showers or hot bathing water in a basin are available. Bedrooms and wash rooms may be shared with two to four other volunteers. Bedrooms are comprised of single beds and/or double decked beds.  Single roomed cubicles and/or guest houses within home stays may be alternative accommodation with similar bedding arrangements as aforementioned. Beddings are provided.

Volunteer Meals​

Our placements will give volunteers an excellent opportunity to learn about the Kenyan way of life, interact with local people and try traditional foods. In addition volunteers will have an opportunity to learn the local languages and engage in local customs and traditions.

Three meals per day will be provided (breakfast, lunch and dinner), which is provided at the home stays. Packed lunch will be provided during field trips. In some cases volunteers will make their own meals in designated kitchens, a local cook will however be assigned to help and train volunteers on how to make local foods. Breakfast generally consists of tea locally known as chai, toast or home baked snacks such as doughnuts, chapatti,  etc, fruit and occasionally sweet potatoes, arrow roots, eggs and maize meal/porridge. Lunch and dinner usually include traditional food and can include vegetables with rice, ugali, potatoes, chapatti, green/yellow/black grams, beans, peas, traditional vegetables, mboga and irio occasional meat and fruit.  Save bottled drinking water is available at a small cost.  Arrangements for special diets are made on request. In some cases volunteers will be accommodated in self contained guest houses where they may have opportunity to make their own meals. In such cases uncooked food stuff, utensils and a gas cooker will be arranged.

Volunteer Reception and Orientation

You will arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi (JKIA), Kenya, on your chosen start date. Upon arrival you shall be received at the air port by our assistant who will display your full names on a raised placard bearing the name “Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum” The Program Assistant or our appointed Air Port Transfer agent will carry some form of identification that you can validate. You will then be transferred to the hotel for breakfast/lunch.  A welcome luncheon/ breakfast/high tea will be arranged in a hotel. During that time you will be taken through orientation of the placement program.

Orientation begins immediately thereafter covering important information that you need to know during your placement. You will be given a welcome pack containing all the relevant information that help you be comfortable during you placement. Such information will include an Introduction to Kenya, Relevant Kenya Basic Law, Local Customs and Traditions, Personal Safety and Security, Public Transport, Recreation Opportunities, Cost of Living, Introduction to your Placement Program, Kiswahili Training Details, Rules, Expectations and Regulations that will guide your placement. Other information will include details of Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum, conservation of nature, introduction to African wildlife and environmental conservation (this may continue for a slightly longer period), national parks, local maps, and other useful information such as banks, hospitals/doctors, police and public transport. A tour of the placement area will also be conducted as part of your orientation.

 During orientation you will have an opportunity to meet other volunteers with whom you may socialize together during weekends or travel together during official and/or recreational field trips. You will be transferred to your home stay and introduced to your host family after orientation.

Farewell Luncheon or Dinner: At the end of the program, usually during the last day, a ceremonial closing luncheon or dinner may be arranged as a way of appreciating your time and/or giving back to the community. During the ceremony you may exchange gifts with people you have successfully worked with.

Certificate of Completion/Participation:  At the end of the program, you will be issued with a certificate of having completed the program successfully showing your participation with Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum.

 Recommendation Letter: In addition to the certificate of completion, you will be given a recommendation letter as an appreciation for having chosen to volunteer with Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum.

Swahili lessons: This is an optional program that is offered alongside the volunteering program. This program attracts additional cost.

Combining Projects

Depending on the amount of time available to a volunteer, several projects/programs can be combined during placement, different projects can however be done one at a time on weekly basis.

Tailor Made Placement Programs

Upon request we organize customized placement programs to suit volunteer available time and interests.

Tailor Made Programs for University Students, Researchers and Professionals

For University undergraduate students, Researchers and Professionals, relevant field programs in such areas as conservation Biology, Wildlife Conservation and Management, Zoology, Botany, Forestry, Environmental management etc would be designed to the interest of volunteers. These programs would be in reference to Africa natural resources and in particular to Kenya and East Africa. Such programs attract additional costs and procedures before they commence.

Let us know your interest at least three months prior to commencement of the program.

Tailor Made Volunteer Nature Expeditions- Responsible Travel

Based on your needs Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum will organize customized volunteer nature expeditions. Such expeditions will entail responsible travel to natural areas and will include wildlife safaris, ornithological safaris, cultural tours, mountain trekking and hiking safaris, desert tours, walking excursions, wilderness camping, natural habitat and wildlife photography  etc.

Volunteer Day To Day Program

Day to day schedule may vary depending on the placement program or other considered factors. In general schedule will be as follows:

7.00- 8.00 Am- Breakfast

8.30 AM - 5.00 PM Volunteers working hours          

Mid morning (half hour) Tea Break- Around 10.00AM

Lunch break- 1.00 PM- 2.00PM

Dinner- 7.00 – 8.00 PM

After 5.00 PM to Dinner time- free time

Start Dates for our Placement Programs

In 2015, all our placement programs will begin with effect from 1st July.  After that date you can start any project on any day. During your application for placement please specify your preferred start and end dates. Our programs will be running year round. Some of our projects and particularly those related to school placements will be affected by local school holiday calendars. Schools in Kenya normally close in April, August and December. During such times we shall arrange alternative programs.