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Located deep in the heart of Kenya's Rift Valley, our Community Projects work in partnership with grassroots NGO's, focusing on teaching, construction and renovation work. In Kenya the education is desperately underfunded. Working alongside the local people, by building new classrooms, as well as teaching at the schools we can ensure that facilities are in place to really make a difference to the community, helping them lift themselves out of poverty. The Projects are based in Naivasha, an area famed for its beautiful freshwater lake. Staying with local families, you'll become part of the community, helping to teach a range of subjects in the local schools.

Length of Project.
Our volunteer projects operate in six week blocks. We try to plan it to make sure the project you are working on comes to completion within a six week block. This stops projects from dragging on, meaning the communities feel the benefit as soon as possible; it also means you will leave with a greater sense of achievment.

You can join the projects for the following lengths of time:-
- Two Week - you can choose between the first or the last two weeks of a six week block
- Four Week - the first four weeks of the six week block only
- Six Weeks - see the project from the start to finish

what's included?

Day 1: Arrival in Nairobi

• Meet your leader and the rest of the group
• Take an orientation tour of Nairobi
• Overnight in Kenya's capital, Nairobi

Days 2 - 13: First two weeks volunteering

• Travel in local style bus and take in the views and wildlife on the journey to Gilgil, in Kenya's Rift Valley
• Receive a warm welcome from your host family, head teacher or community representative at the project house
• There is time to soak up the scenery and meet the people you will be working with village
• Meet the school community from the teachers to the board of parents and many small faces peering curiously at you
• Work mon - fri, from 8am to 4pm - when not teaching, return to work on the building site, or plan your next lessons

Day 14: End of two week project

• You will be returned to Nairobi no later than 7pm

Days 14 - 27: Second two weeks volunteering

• Continue working mon - fri 8am to 4pm
• Relationships in your community will be developing so that you can take on more responsibility in your work, for example you will be able to run classes for adults

Day 28: End of four week project

• You will be returned to Nairobi no later than 7pm

Days 28-41: Final two weeks volunteering

• Continue working mon - fri 8am to 4pm
• Continue with your main project as well as any side projects you have started

Day 42: End of six week project

• You will be leaving behind a sustainable project for the community and leaving local children who will have benefited from your classroom work
• You will be returned to Nairobi no later than 7pm

what else can I do?

• Travel with the villagers to the nearest water source and help them make the journey make with their heavy load
• Explore the community after school and take part and organise activities with the community
• Visit Gilgil for a look around the nearby shops
• Wander the plains and find your own plateau to enjoy the view over the valley
• Help set up extra schemes: from nutrition programmes to supporting recycling to energy saving projects
• Take the chance to visit the local clinic and learn about medical care
• You may be able to join local adults in their cooperative groups, teach them English and learn their skills from dancing to weaving
• We also can look for opportunities to play sport with youth groups, football is always a winner
• Research your village's particular challenges, leading to exciting side projects
• Learn more about the different Kenyan tribes from the Kikuyu to Masai
• Try out cooking chapattis, a favourite staple of the Kenyan diet or sample the local beer from the traditional cow horn cup
• If there is time, you might get to go on a hike around the area with the villagers who know it best
• Visit the families of those you have worked alongside and share a meal
• Enjoy a leaving meal with your group in Nairobi

General Notes:

While all these projects are open age, many travellers are aged 17-35 and many are participating as part of a gap year. Some members of your project group may be joining for varying durations. There is no twin share option on this Volunteering project. If arriving on day 1 your airport transfer is included. Please advise flight details at time of booking.

Alternative routes starting from Nairobi: