Volunteer in Kenya Maasai, and experience the opportunity of a lifetime! What better place to volunteer than the original safari destination? Kenya is overflowing with excitement for explorers, adventurers and travelers with its tropical beaches, coral reefs, snow-capped mountains, unparalleled wildlife, enchanting landscapes and rich culture. Volunteer in Kenya Maasai and become immersed in the colorful tribal life of the Maasai people of Kenya. The Maasai people and way of life face many threats ranging from globalization, the HIV/AIDS epidemic and over-grazing of land, which has led to food shortages.
Global Crossroad has partnered with a local nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the standard of living of the indigenous Maasai people while at the same time, preserving their culture. Volunteer in Kenya and help enrich the lives of the Maasai people and help them document and preserve their culture and heritage. Don't miss this opportunity to volunteer with this unique tribe of people.
To begin your African journey now, email us for more information! We will be happy to send you more information so you can soon travel to an astonishing country and improve the lives of those you touch.
Contact Global Crossroad Volunteer now and we will gladly send you additional information about our programs to volunteer in Ghana. The sooner you contact us, the sooner you can begin the adventure of a lifetime and make a difference in the world!
All volunteer programs start on the first and third Monday of each month.
If you are tired of expensive volunteer programs but want to make a positive contribution in the world, look no further! Global Crossroad is dedicated to offering high-quality, well-organized and meaningful programs at the most affordable price in the United States. We work hard to keep costs as low as possible, focusing on the effectiveness of our projects, the safety of our volunteers and the quality of participant experiences. We currently offer the most competitive price possible in today's market including an application fee (of $299) AND a small weekly fee as follows:
| 1 Week | 2 Wks | 3 Wks | 4 Wks | 5 Wks | 6 Wks | 7 Wks | 8 Wks | 9 Wks | 10 Wks | 11 Wks | 12 Wks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $150 | $250 | $350 | $450 | $550 | $650 | $750 | $850 | $950 | $1,050 | $1,150 | $1,250 |
Mandatory Comprehensive Travel Insurance $3.49/day
Airport pick up/transfer (45 miles) $50 Nairobi
Airport pick up/transfer (75 miles) $75 masai
Summer volunteer and adventure (4 weeks include safari) $2269
Volunteer as an English teacher in Maasai Land in Kenya and help enhance the futures of your students! There is a lack of teachers in most schools villages in the Maasai region. The Kenyan education system recently went through major changes and free education is now provided to the primary level. More students are now going to school, but there is a shortage of teachers in the public schools of Maasai Land. To fill this gap, your contribution as a volunteer teaching English would be highly appreciated by Kenyans. The Maasai students are eager to learn and greatly appreciate our volunteers. Global Crossroad Volunteer currently partners with local schools to place volunteers in a number of roles from teaching formal to informal English programs in Kenya. This is a great opportunity to travel to an astonishing country, engage in a very unique and colorful culture, gain professional experience and enrich Kenyan education.
School will remain closed in Kenya in Apr-May and Aug-Sep. Volunteers can join other projects during this time.
As a volunteer teaching English in Maasai Land in Kenya, your job responsibilities may vary depending on the needs of each school (secondary or primary). Volunteers work mostly as an assistant to the main English teacher. Daily activities may include:
There are no specific skills or requirements necessary to volunteer teaching English in the Maasai region of Kenya. You do not need previous teaching experience or a degree in teaching to enroll in the project. However, you should be a fluent English speaker (if you’re not a native English speaker) and be flexible, as working in Kenya and with the Maasai people will be very different from working back home.
Because of their remote location, one of the largest challenges the Maasai people face is the lack of medical knowledge, professionals and education. Global Crossroad Volunteer has partnered with a local medical center in the Maasai region to provide volunteers who have the ability and want to share their knowledge, time, skills and talents with local healthcare staff. Volunteers are needed to conduct information sessions on preventable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, influenza or tuberculosis. As a healthcare volunteer working in the Maasai region in Kenya, you will have tremendous opportunities for exciting personal and professional experiences that will affect your life and career. This is the perfect project for volunteers to immerse themselves into another culture and provide a positive contribution to a community where the need is the greatest.
Each volunteer in Kenya working in the healthcare/medical project in the Maasai region will have varying responsibilities and tasks. Volunteer projects will depend on one’s qualifications and certifications as a medical professional. Duties may include:
Global Crossroad Volunteers/travelers interested in joining the volunteer health program must possess a healthcare certification such as an ID as a medical student, EMT or paramedic certification, or nursing or physician's credentials. Medical volunteers without credentials are not allowed to work in this program because of the potential risk. The health centers require a copy of your resume clearly stating credentials and education before your arrival to the project.
As a volunteer in the Community Development Project in the Maasai region, you may work on a variety of projects including HIV/AIDS education, other public health education programs, women and children's programs, building projects, tourism and marketing of local crafts or other similar projects. Volunteers may also assist in planning future community projects and fundraising efforts. Global Crossroad Volunteer is currently partnering with local nonprofit organizations by placing volunteers to assist in these community development initiatives. This project can customize individual skills and interests of the volunteers to match the needs of local projects. This way, volunteers can gain career-related experience while effectively enriching the lives of the Maasai people.
Each volunteer in the Maasai Community Development Project in Kenya may participate in a variety of activities related to community development, depending on individual skills and interests and the needs of local organizations. This project can also be combined with other Maasai volunteer programs, such as the Teaching English program. Daily activities may include, but are not limited to:
To volunteer in the Maasai Community Development program in Kenya, volunteers should be genuinely interested and committed to the Maasai culture and work hard to improve the lives of poor people. Projects may be tailored to the volunteer's interests and skills. If you're open minded and flexible during the project, you'll enjoy your stay and achieve more.
The recent difficulties faced by the Maasai people have caused many to abandon their traditional life and move to urban areas. Join the Cultural Conservation Volunteer Project in the Maasai region of Kenya and work with the Maasai people on ways to preserve and expand awareness of the importance of culture. The Maasai people have a unique culture and love to share their traditions and history with visitors. The Maasai need volunteers to help document their current culture and traditions. Volunteers collaborate with the Maasai people on methods to preserve and document their traditions. Maasai people are also interested to learn about Western culture and volunteers are encouraged to respectfully share their culture and ideas. This is a great opportunity to travel to Kenya and engage in a meaningful cultural exchange.
As a volunteer working in the Cultural Conservation Volunteer Project in the Maasai region of Kenya, you will engage in the community and participate in a variety of projects. Daily activities will include, but are not limited to:
There are no specific skills or qualifications needed to join the Maasai culture project other than fluency in the English language as well as a desire to document and preserve the Maasai culture. Projects may vary and can be tailored to fit the skills of the volunteer. Volunteers are expected to be flexible and patient. Volunteering in this program can be combined with other Maasai volunteering to round out your Maasai experience.
Global Crossroad Volunteer arranges volunteer meals, accommodations and strong field supervision for the duration of projects and optional travel packages. In Kenya, most volunteers stay with a local Maasai host family. Host family accommodations are simple and clean homes, typically small huts or metal houses. Volunteers usually have a private bedroom, but occasionally rooms will be shared with a same-gender volunteer. Our host families are well screened and are respected members of their communities. Most of our host families have experience hosting international volunteers. Host family stays are a great chance for cultural immersion and exchange.
Volunteers receive three local meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner). We can provide vegetarian meal options, but needs must be detailed in a volunteer's application. Snacks and beverages outside of mealtimes are not provided.
Global Crossroad offers unparalleled field support to volunteers to ensure a safe and rewarding experience. There are many layers of support for you. The most important support comes from our country coordinator/field staff. The secondary support comes from the host project staff and members of host family. Volunteers will have access to our country coordinator's mobile number and they are available 24/7. Throughout the volunteer project, our local staff stays in contact with volunteers either with face-to-face visits or via email/telephone. Our field staff will visit regularly (every 2-4 weeks) to make sure things are going well and as planned. However, if placement is far from our local offices, staff members will stay in touch via email/ phone. Volunteers are also welcome to stop in the offices at any time.
Specific details regarding accommodations, food and contact details for our local coordinator will be provided in personalized volunteer placement documentation prior to arrival.
Global Crossroad Volunteer in Kenya projects are available in Kimuka and the surrounding Maasai villages in rural Kenya. Maasai villages are small and remotely located in the dry savannah and surrounded by beautiful hills. Volunteers will work and live in basic Maasai huts and metal buildings. Volunteers are surrounded by the scenery of the Rift Valley and the surrounding Ngong Hills. Kimuka is located 30 km west of Nairobi. Volunteers can organize several combinations of potential excursions during and after the project to visit places of interest. There is a tourist infrastructure already in place in Kenya that the volunteers can take advantage of during free-time and weekends. Weekend excursions in Kenya can include national parks, safari excursions, markets, museums, restaurants, tourist villages, mausoleums, art galleries, golf courses, crocodile farms, nature trails, hotels, Bombolulu workshops and much more.
Please read Global Crossroad Volunteer's 5-step application
Arrival Point: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport , Nairobi
Airport Pick-up Upon the receipt of your flight information, our in-country coordinator or other project staff will greet the volunteers in the airport and take you to your project site. The address and telephone number of the local contact hotel will be given before departure just in case volunteers miss our representative in the airport. Please make sure to e-mail your flight information to both the USA office and the local in-country coordinator's office.
Departure Point: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport , Nairobi
Airport Drop: Rarely, a few do request an escort back to the airport; this is an extra expense of about $75. Most are very familiar and comfortable with their stay and have great ease taking their own taxi or bus back to the airport.
Transportation: Global Crossroad Volunteer manages one-way transportation to project. Volunteers will be responsible for their own personal and return travel. We do not cover daily transportation from host family/hotel to the project. Our program is designed to save you the volunteer as much as possible.
Start Dates: 1st and 3rd Monday of each month
Start Date: Global Crossroad Volunteers/Travelers coming to Kenya are advised to arrive one day before their program start date. If you arrive more than one day early or stay after the program, you will be responsible for your room and food expenses.
Working Hours: 30- 40 hours per week
Global Crossroad strongly suggest that all volunteers apply for a tourist visa, in a timely manner before departing for Kenya. Please call our office or contact the local Kenya embassy to learn more about visas, visa fees and visa extensions. Getting your tourist visa is your responsibility.
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/ )
Global Crossroad Volunteer 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 Maasai
Required Vaccinations
The local currency in Kenya is the shilling and Kenyans use shillings and cents. You might need $5-20 per day for your personal expenses like water or soft drinks, taxis, traveling 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 regardless of 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.
Your credit card information can be stolen and used fraudulently just by making a credit card payment. For this reason, cash and travelers checks are suggested to settle most accounts. You will have trouble paying with traveler's checks, but you will be able to exchange them at local banks. Traveler's checks are recommended as a safe way to carry money with you, make sure you write down the check numbers and contact information you need to cancel stolen checks. Different brands of traveler's checks work better in different countries so consult your local financial institution about which company you should buy your checks from.
How does Global Crossroad Volunteer help me when I am in the field? How can I maintain communication? Does Global Crossroad Volunteer 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. Global Crossroad Volunteer's Kenya coordinator maintains a mobile phone so participants are able to reach him with questions and concerns.
How do I communicate with my family and Global Crossroad Volunteer staff? 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 the airport. Sim-cards can be 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 Global Crossroad Volunteer's office. Internet Cafes are widely-available in most areas of Nairobi and Watamu.
Kenya has various topographical regions which 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 30°C, Min 22°C
Nairobi: Max 25°C, Min 13°C
North plain lands: Max 34°C, Min 23°C
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 and for centuries, the population has been concentrated in the wettest areas of the country.
Usually, items of daily use are available in Kenya at a cheaper price. However, we suggest volunteers pack the following things:
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, 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 or art supplies like markers and construction paper and games. Remember that every child will need these items so you may wish to bring a bunch of one thing.
