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 Work in an Orphanage
Kenya has a lot of orphans who have been affected by the AIDS virus as well as poverty. There is a need to help kids who have lost their parents through the epidemic. We are presently working with more than 13 local orphanages in the different parts of the Kenya . Rustic Volunteer Travel invites enthusiastic volunteers who can provide care and support to underprivileged children in Kenya . Help is needed to improve the living conditions in the group homes and provide educational activities for the children. This is a rewarding opportunity for Rustic volunteers/travelers to work on the front lines to feed and provide assistance to these forgotten little ones.
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FAQs Kenya
| Application Process: |
Please read Rustic Volunteer Travel's 4 steps of application
- There are two options for applying to volunteer in Kenya through our program. You can apply online or you can down loan an application, fill it out, and mail it in to us. You will need to submit your application with a $200 application fee. This fee is required to make an application valid.
- Once we get your application, we will immediately send it to Kenya for processing. They go over your application carefully and find the best project possible for you. The decisions for room and food are made at this time, Arrangement for room and food depends on the location of the project. The vast majority of our volunteers stay in full immersion home stays though some orphanage projects are residential.
- Once we get the details of your placements, we pass it on to you with a final invoice. Your final payment is due six weeks before your start date, and in expedited cases, as soon as possible. The placement details have local contact information use them for contacts on your Visa application or to get in touch with the local staff and host family.
- Preparation for trips should include reading about Kenya , immunization, travel Visa (entry permit), and booking airfare. If you face any problems our Program Manager is always available for assistance.
- Now, once you purchase your ticket, send your flight information to our US office by fax or by email. Your flight information will be forwarded to the Kenya staff who will arrange an airport pickup.
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| Visa : |
Though volunteers can get a Visa upon arrival in Nairobi , we strongly suggest volunteers obtain a tourist visa in their home country prior to departing for Kenya . This saves time and any associated hassles of filling-out forms, and waiting in long lines in the airport. Your Visa is your entry permit allowing you into any foreign country - without which you may be denied access - a risk Rustic Volunteer Travel suggests avoiding at any and all costs.
Volunteers work with a tourist visa. Please use the name and address of our in-country coordinator and office (provided in the pre-departure package) as a contact address in Kenya (for Visa application purposes.)
http://www.kenyaembassy.com/ |
| Health and safety : |
Being informed is your first defense against disease and safety risks. We recommend visiting some of the following websites for health and safety information:
WHO website for international travelers ( http://www.who.int/csr/ihr/en/ )
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| Vaccination : |
Rustic Volunteer Travel closely follows the Center for Disease Control's traveler's health recommendations ( www.cdc.gov ). Discuss your travel plans and personal health with your health-care provider to determine which vaccines are necessary.
Recommended
The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to East Africa - including Kenya
- Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.
- Hepatitis B especially if you might be exposed to blood or bodily fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. The Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11-12 years of age who did not receive the series of vaccines as infants.
- Malaria: your risk of malaria may be high in all countries in East Africa , including cities. See your health care provider for a prescription anti-malarial drug. For details concerning risk and preventive medications, see Malaria Information for Travelers to East Africa .
- Meningococcal (meningitis) if you plan to visit countries in this region that experience epidemics of meningococcal disease during December through June, (see see Map 4-9 on the Meningoccocal Disease page ).
- Rabies , pre-exposure vaccination, if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as might occur during camping, hiking, or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities.
- Typhoid vaccine. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors
- As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria , measles , and a one-time dose of polio vaccine for adults.
Required Vaccinations
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| Money Matter : |
You might need $5-20 per day for your personal expenses like water or soft drinks, taxi, and shopping. The best way is to carry a Debit card as ATM machines are available in Nairobi and Mombasa (in airport and major hotels) where you can withdraw local currency. Another alternative is traveler's checks which are secure and can be cashed in local banks, during business hours.
In Kenya , people of US or European decent are considered rich no matter your true circumstances. This will make you a target for pick pockets and scam artists ('fly catchers'). Participants are required to be smart about their money matters when traveling through Kenya . Please be advised to pay attention to these suggestions.
. Avoid external money pouches, dangling backpacks and camera bags, limit jewelry.
. Don't flash money or your wallet.
. Travel in pairs or groups to the ATM.
. Remain aware of the exchange rate and cost of items
. Take requests for 'donations' with a grain of salt
. Store money in a secure, well-hidden place or safe
. Carry money in different pockets and places
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| Field Support and supervision: |
How does Rustic Volunteer Travel help me when I am in the field? How can I maintain communication? Does Rustic Volunteer Travel visit volunteers?
Once the volunteer program starts, our local staff will stay in touch with volunteers. In Kenya , our projects are approximately 10-25 km from our office (and usually located in rural settings outside of the highway). Our coordinators stay in touch with volunteers via personal visits, telephone calls or emails. The director of each project will serve as the participants' immediate supervisor. Rustic Volunteer Travel 's Kenya coordinator maintains a mobile phone so participants are able to reach him with questions and concerns. |
| Communication : |
How do I communicate with my family? Rustic Volunteer Travel staffs? Is there internet?
Volunteers are requested to bring their mobile phones. Upon arrival in Kenya , participants can purchase and change sim-cards as there are 2-3 electronic shops in Dar International Airport . The sim-card is placed into almost any internationally capable cell phone and provides service in Kenya . Participants are encouraged to ensure that they are bringing the right telephone. This is the perfect way to stay in touch with your family and Rustic Volunteer Travel 's office in Dar es Salaam . Internet Cafés are widely-available in most areas of Nairobi and Mombassa. These services and the costs associated are the responsibility of the participants. |
| Climate of Kenya: |
Kenya 's various topographical regions experience distinct climates.
Generally, the hottest time is in February and March and the coldest in July and August.
The coastal region is largely humid and wet. The city of Malindi , for instance, receives an average rainfall of 1,050 mm (41 in) per year, with average temperatures ranging from 21° to 32°C (70° to 90°F) in January and 20° to 29°C (68° to 84°F) in July.
The low plateau area is the driest part of the country. There, the town of Wajir receives an average annual rainfall of 320 mm (13 in) and experiences average temperatures ranging from 19° to 37°C (66° to 99°F) in January and 19° to 34°C (66° to 93°F) in July.
Nairobi, in the temperate Kenyan highlands, receives an average annual rainfall of 790 mm (31 in) and experiences average temperatures ranging from 9° to 29°C (48° to 84°F) in January and 7° to 26°C (45° to 79°F) in July.
Higher elevation areas within the highlands receive much larger amounts of rainfall. The Lake Victoria basin in western Kenya is generally the wettest region in the country, particularly the highland regions to the north and south of Kisumu, where average annual rainfall ranges from 1,740 mm (70 in) to 1,940 mm (80 in). Average temperatures in this region range from 14° to 34°C (57° to 93°F) in January and 14° to 30°C (57° to 86°F) in July.
The average annual temperatures in the main areas are:
Mombassa (coastal): Max 30ºC, Min 22ºC
Nairobi: Max 25ºC, Min 13ºC
North Plainlands: Max 34ºC, Min 23ºC
Rainfall occurs seasonally throughout most of Kenya . The coast, eastern plateaus, and lake basin experience two rainy seasons:
- The "long rains" extends roughly from March to June,
- The "short rains" lasts from approximately October to December.
The highlands of western Kenya have a single rainy season, lasting from March to September.
All parts of the country are subject to periodic droughts, or delays in the start of the rainy seasons. Kenya 's climate has had a profound effect on settlement patterns, as for centuries population has been concentrated in the wettest areas of the country |
| Materials to Bring |
Usually, items of daily use are available in Kenya at a cheaper price. However, we suggest volunteers pack the following things:
. Camera
. Mobile phone (participants can use mobile phones after changing sim cards)
. Sleeping bag
. Mosquito repellents
. Insect repellents
. Sun-block/sun-screen
. Working gloves (if participants are joining conservation or construction projects)
. Map of Kenya
. Toiletries
. First-aid kit
. Flash light
. Electricity adapter/converter
. Sunglasses
. Footwear (for work and travel)
. Towel |
| Gift for Host Family and Project |
It is a common courtesy to bring a small gift for the family that will be hosting you. You are not required to do so, but if you choose to bring something it can be pretty simple. We suggest a box of chocolates, a t-shirt with a hometown logo, or pictures of your family and some local post cards.
If you want to bring gifts for your project (and if you are working for an orphanage or a school please bring pencils, pens and paper, art supplies like markers and construction paper pads, and games. Remember that every child will need these items so you may wish to bring a bunch of one thing. |
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