Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum Volunteer and Related Programs

Terms & Conditions

The undersigned hereby acknowledges and agrees to the following terms and conditions. Please read these Terms & Conditions carefully before making a purchase of any of our volunteer and/or travel program.

I (full names) ------------------------------------------ , herein “participant” “volunteers” or “clients” expect and intend to participate in activities with Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum during 2015/2016 year, following the stated terms and conditions for which I agree to abide to. 

To apply for our volunteer program(s), complete the online booking application form, or write to info@mtkenyaconservation.org and state the program(s) you are interested in and the preferred start and end dates. If your application is accepted or not accepted we shall inform you via email.

 Before being accepted into our program(s), the applying person will be referred to as an “applicant”. Participants enrolled in any of our volunteer programs will be referred to as “Participants”, “volunteers” or “clients” in this contract. For more information please contact us at info@mtkenyaconservation.org, also visit our website: http://www.mtkenyaconservation.org

Once booking for our program(s) has been accepted in writing by Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum all the persons (herein referred to as “Participants”, “volunteers” or “clients”) named on the booking form will have entered a binding contract on the basis of the following Terms & Conditions.

• Agreement

• Agreement on the basis of these Terms & Conditions become binding upon the fulfillment of all of the following conditions by an applicant:

• Properly completed booking form and accepted by Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum

•   Receipt of the payment or deposit specified for the program being applied for;

• Clearance of the payment or deposit into Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum bank account.

• In its own discretion and without having to give reasons, Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum reserves the right not to accept a booking. In such circumstances no agreement arises and Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum will return any payment accompanying the booking.

•  This agreement is between Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum and the client(s) and is the sole agreement between those parties. These Terms & Conditions cannot be varied and shall apply in course of this contract unless agreed in writing by Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum before the commencement of the applied program.

• The agreement is governed by the Kenyan laws. The courts of the Kenya shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute which may arise out of or in connection with this contract.

• Travel

The volunteer is solely responsible for ensuring that he / she has all necessary valid travel documents. It  is also the responsibility of volunteers to meet their own travel costs, including all airfares or other transport costs to and from the host country as well as any local transport costs.

• Insurance

The volunteer is solely responsible for ensuring that he / she have all the necessary and valid medical and travel insurance covering their entire travel period. Medical and travel insurance are mandatory for each volunteer, and the volunteer will purchase before the commencement of the program. Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum does not provide the volunteer with insurance of any kind.

• Program Fees

Details of the program fees are set out on our website. Program fees once paid are not refundable. Program fees shall be paid to Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum by means of bank or wire transfer and will attract a 5% transaction fee to cover bank fees, currency conversion charges and other applicable fees. Transaction costs are covered by the volunteer. The following program fees payment policy shall apply:

• Full payment is payable with no deposit for programs that are due to start in 10 weeks or under.

• For programs that are due to start in 10 weeks or greater 20% of the program fees is payable. The remaining 80% of the fees is payable in full 10 weeks before the commencement of the program failure to which Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum will reserve the right to cancel the booking with no refund of the 20% deposit.

• Program fees are not transferrable to other persons.

• Revision and Cancellation of Program

Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum reserves the right to revise volunteer program(s) and/or program fees from time to time. Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum reserves the right to withdraw without penalty any program announced. In the situation where a price is altered the volunteer will be notified within a reasonable possible time so as to meet the difference based on the same terms as was the original price. Program fee revisions do not affect volunteers who have already paid their deposit fee, unless the volunteer cancels their original booking after the program fee revisions have taken effect. A volunteer may opt to cancel his/her program as a result of price alteration. Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum will refund all fees paid if a volunteer decides to cancel a program whose fees alteration is 15% or more. Volunteers who cancel their program(s) for other reasons and then reinstate their interest are subject to the program fees and any revisions to the program which have occurred at the time they wish to reinstate.

Cancellation of Program by Volunteer

Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum requires adequate time to prepare for a volunteer program. In that case booking cancellation by a volunteer will attract a certain level of penalty as follows:

• Cancellation more than 10 weeks before commencement of a program- 100% of deposit is non refundable. However any final payments made will be refunded.

• Cancellation less than 10 weeks before commencement of a program- No refund whatsoever- that is 100% of fees payable without refund.

• Change of Dates and Duration

Volunteers who have registered with us and opt to change their start dates and program duration will be subject to the following administration fees:

• A volunteer is entitled to change their start date and duration once, at no additional cost.

• US$ 50  administration fees is charged if start date and/or duration of program is changed for the second time

• If a volunteer wishes to change program start date and/or duration of a program within ten days or less before the program begins, an administration fee of US$ 100 will apply.

• Liability

Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum programs involve travelling and working in places that by their very nature are not absolutely free from hazard. Travel and volunteer work involves a certain degree of risk. The volunteer acknowledges and accepts the responsibilities and risks associated with their agreement to join our programs. Please note that your booking is accepted on the understanding that you come on the program at your own risk. Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum including any and all of its employees, managers, directors, host families and host country partner organizations are not liable, to the maximum extent of the law, for any loss or harm the volunteer or associates may suffer, including but not limited to loss caused directly or indirectly by: personal injury, emotional injury, accident, delay, illness or disease, death, damage to or loss of property, hostage situations, riots, strikes, natural disasters,  war or terrorism.

• Indemnity

The volunteer agrees to indemnify Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum against any and all liability which Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum incurs arising directly or indirectly out of, or in connection (in any way) with, the volunteer's travel, living and providing services during the volunteer's nominated program. 

• Drug and Alcohol Use

The volunteer must abide by the rules put in place by Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum, partner organization, volunteer placement institution and host family in regards to alcohol consumption. Drug use (unless prescribed by a doctor) is strictly prohibited and will result in instant dismissal from the program with no refund. Drug use and/or trafficking may also attract imprisonment.

• Website

This website is presented solely for the purpose of promoting the services of Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum and those of its partner organizations.  This site is controlled and operated by Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum from its offices in Kenya. Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum makes no representation that materials in the site are appropriate or available for use in other locations.

Those who choose to access this site from other locations will be doing so on their own initiative and are responsible to the extent local law is applicable.

Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum does not warrant or make any representations regarding the correctness, accuracy, reliability, or otherwise of the materials in this site or the result of their use.

• Changes to this agreement

Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum reserves the right to update the Terms and Conditions at any time without notice.

• Miscellaneous Terms and Conditions

• Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum reserves the right to decline to accept any person as a volunteer and/or to discontinue any participant from the program if it is deemed fit for the interests of safety, health, welfare of the participant or the general interest of the program.  In such circumstances, Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum shall take no responsibility whatsoever for any expenses or penalties that may arise thereof on the part of the volunteer.

• Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum may provide a service connecting volunteers to partner organizations and/or independent third parties.  Some courses, nature expeditions, wilderness survival programs, treks and other activities are provided by independent third parties. You agree that Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum is not liable for any actions or omissions of any partner organization and/or third party organization.

• If there is a proven incompatibility between you and the host family Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum will act accordingly and change your accommodation at no extra cost.

• Please note that your booking is accepted on the understanding that you come on your chosen program purely on voluntary basis. Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum will arrange for yo ur work permits and/or research permits where applicable.  Doing paid work while on a Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum program is illegal and may lead to discontinuation of your placement including repatriation at your own cost.

• All complaints will be reported to your supervisor. If not resolved at that level they should be channeled to the top Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum management - Chief Executive Officer, Programs Director or any appointed officer or organ by Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum of which you shall be advised appropriately. Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum will share the information submitted on the application form with its partner organizations, branches and other associates. This information is only intended for purposes of the program applied for.

• Overnight guests are not allowed at your accommodations without prior approval from Mt. Kenya Conservation Forum.

• You shall strictly observe child and disabled rights during your stay in Kenya. Child molestation and sexual abuse in Kenya attracts heavy court penalties including life sentence.

• Participation in local politics in any way is prohibited. Affiliating yourself with any political initiatives or activities will attract disciplinary action including discontinuation with the program and repatriation at your own cost.

• If you wish to stay longer than your entitled placement period and take a holiday in Kenya, we can make the necessary arrangements for you on the following conditions: make your request well in advance, arrange for your food, accommodations and other holiday expenses. Also ensure you have insurance for the extended time. We recommend our Nature Expedition Program- for details see our website http://www.mtkenyaconservation.org