Affordable Village Kindergarten Volunteer Program in Kenya

Please Note: This program is temporarily unavailable. Check out our alternative programs in Africa or schedule a one-on-one call with one of our expert volunteer advisors.

Volunteer in a village kindergarten in rural Kenya, assisting teachers as they play games, sing songs and teach English. Your contribution will help teachers give the best education possible to their students, as well as give you a rewarding teaching experience.

Program Highlights:

Gain experience teaching English and working with children
Enrich the lives of kindergarten children through fun and educational activities
Increase the education level of the community by helping teachers in busy classrooms
Learn about Kenyan culture through Swahili lessons and history talks
Explore Kenya on your weekends, visiting waterfalls, safaris and natural wonders

Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum one-week commitment):

Arrival Day, Sunday: Arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO). You will be picked up from the airport and transferred to your new home in Gatanga Village. Take the time to settle in and meet other volunteers.

Day 1, Monday: Begin your time in Gatanga Village with an orientation to the project. Today you will learn a little bit about Kenyan culture and history, as well as participate in a Swahili language class. You will also be taken on a tour of the village, a coffee factory and will end your day with a hike to a local waterfall.

Days 2-5, Tuesday-Friday: Volunteers will work 4-5 hours at the kindergarten each day. Daily tasks will include assisting the local teachers with learning activities, serving lunch to the children and preparing lessons for the following day. Evenings are free for you to mingle with other volunteers and to enjoy African sunsets.

Days 6-7, Saturday-Sunday: Your weekends are free for you to rest or explore Kenya. The nearby town of Thika and the capital, Nairobi, will be your gateways to the rest of Kenya and its hidden gems.

Remaining Weeks: The remaining weeks will follow a similar schedule of volunteering Monday-Friday and having Saturday-Sunday off. Take the time to go on a safari, visit a national park or enjoy the nearby beaches of Mombasa. Departures are on a Saturday.

Location of the Project: Gatanga Village, Kenya

Project length: Min 1 week – Max 8 weeks

Arrival Airport: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)

Volunteer Work: Child care, teaching assistance

Age: 18-70. Volunteers aged 16 and 17 may apply with parental consent.

Number of Volunteers: Up to 20 international volunteers

What’s Included

Accommodations: Shared, dorm-style rooms

Food: 3 meals during the week, 2 on weekends

Airport Transfers: Airport pickup is provided upon arrival

Orientation: All necessary training and introductions are provided upon arrival.

Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.

What’s not Included

Flights, visas (if required), travel health insurance, lunches on weekends, personal expenses.

Location

Enjoy rural Africa as you base yourself in Gatanga Village, approximately 1.5 hours drive from the capital and nightclub hub of Kenya, Nairobi. Explore the nearby town of Thika, where you can stock up on basics, visit restaurants and check out it’s highlights, such as the Fourteen Falls, before heading back to the quieter Gatanga Village for an authentic cultural immersion. Other excursions can include sightseeing in Nakuru, a beach weekend in Mombasa, hiking in Mount Kenya and visiting Kenya’s national parks.

Volunteer Work

In this project you will be assisting local teachers run classes of over 30 students – all extra hands are appreciated! Spend your time caring for the children, participating in educational activities and lesson planning.

Some of your tasks may include:

Improving the English skills of children
children about your home country and culture
Playing educational games with the children
Supporting local teachers
Creating lesson plans

Holidays: During holidays, volunteers will be taking part in an English camp. The camp will be running during these holidays:

April 14-23, 2020
August 7-28, 2020
October 30-December 31, 2020

Living Arrangements

Internet icon Internet: WiFi is available in public areas.

Laundry icon Laundry: Volunteers can choose to hand wash their clothing or pay for a laundry service.

Accommodations icon Accommodations: Volunteers will stay in simple, shared, single-gender rooms with 3-7 other volunteers. A bathroom will be shared with other volunteers and hot water will generally be available. Room upgrades are available for an additional fee.

Food icon Food: You will be served three authentic Kenyan meals every during the week, and two each day on weekends. Typical dishes consist of vegetables, potatoes, eggs, bread and fruit. Special diets can be accommodated , but must be requested in advance.

Travel Highlights

Gatanga Village is located a short drive away from the town of Thika and Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. You will easily be able to take excursions from either of those places to further explore Kenya.

The Fourteen Falls
Be astounded by the beauty of the Fourteen Falls as you feel the cool breeze and splashes of water from the Falls. The park is also an excellent spot for bird watching.

Nairobi National Park
Have the best of both worlds as you enjoy lunch in the city and an afternoon exploring a national park filled with giraffes, lions, leopards, baboons and more, in the wild.

Mount Kenya
Mount Kenya is a breathtaking World Heritage Site, boasting a dense forest, endangered species of animals, mineral springs and more. It is also the second tallest mountain in Africa, making it a perfect place for a day hike or an extended excursion opportunity after the volunteer program.