Open Volunteer positions
VOLUNTEER TEACHER AND MENTOR
Major Objective is to aid in improving academic standards within the slums and rural areas of Kenya, and to support the understaffed schools by providing quality education at primary school levels.
Responsibilities
Assist with the teaching of different subjects at primary school levels, (i.e. English, mathematics, geography, etc.) through a semi-formal and supervised arrangement, along with providing mentoring for the upcoming learners and basic student counseling.
Qualifications
Volunteer teachers are not necessarily required to have teaching experience, but must have relevant subject experience in math, science, English, arts, etc.
Orientation & Training:
All volunteers will receive a general orientation on the nature and purpose of the organization, their placement, and the purposes and requirements of the position that they are accepting. In addition, volunteers will receive specific on-the- job training to provide them with the information and skills necessary to perform their volunteer assignment.
Commitment
Minimum of two weeks and a maximum of three months (The length of one school term)
Place
The slums of Marthare or Kibera, in Nairobi, and rural locations of Kenya
Benefits
This placement offers participants a unique opportunity to teach in an informal setup and live as a family member at a local home-stay. The volunteer will be interacting with learners – poor and orphaned – as well as with the larger communities, in which the students live and learn.
Language
English
VOLUNTEER AT A CHILDRENS’ ORPHANAGE
Major Objective: To inspire and support the lives of children left without families. You will be working with orphan children who have lost their parents through poverty, abuse, alcoholism, and/or disease, providing them with the care and nurture these children need. Share your life, your skills, and your heart with these wonderful children and positively impact their lives for years to come.
Responsibilities
The volunteers will work alongside the existing staff at a children’s orphanage. The work will involve daily feeding, dressing, and keeping of the children living within the homes. Depending on individual skills and interests, volunteers can act as mentors by helping children with their homework, teaching English, or providing love and support to these disadvantaged children. Other tasks include assisting with the cleaning and organization of the homes, as well as cooking. The opportunities for this position are wide; utilize your individual skills and interests to make the most of your volunteer term.
Qualifications
There are no special qualifications required – anyone can volunteer.
Orientation & Training:
All volunteers will receive a general orientation on the nature and purpose of the organization, their placement, and the purposes and requirements of the position that they are accepting. In addition, volunteers will receive specific on-the- job training to provide them with the information and skills necessary to perform their volunteer assignment.
Commitment
Minimum of two weeks.
Place
Kibera, in Nairobi and Eldoret
Benefits
By teaching the orphans, playing with them, preparing their daily records, cooking, helping in their washing, and some administrative work, the volunteer is exposed to a form and level of humility that is humbling, yet revealing and self gratifying, both to themselves and to the children and staff. Volunteering in an orphanage facilitates adaptability, flexibility, and preparedness, while providing a platform to learn of life-changing experiences from the orphans and caretakers.
Language
English
FARMER-TO-FARMER VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
Major Objective:
KSI commits most of its time and resources to the rural areas of Kenya. One focus of KSI is the region of Wongonyi, in the Coast Province of southern Kenya. Nestled high in the Arc Cloud Mountains of Taita, Wongonyi is a major source of water for the lowlands, which is home to the famous Tsavo National Park. Blessed with fertile land and fresh spring water, the Wongonyi communities have centered their lives around an agrarian life-style for centuries; however, in recent time, issues with climate change and the lack of modern farming techniques have significantly impacted the livelihood of the local environment and the farmers’ wellbeing. Modern and ecological farming practices are of high demand and necessity in Wongonyi, in order to conserve the dwindling environment and to create food security for the communities. Moreover, we aim to find volunteers who can assist in the development of agri-business, so that the community members can begin living from their harvests, instead of detrimental practices such as logging.
Responsibilities
The volunteer will be responsible for assisting rural farmers in achieving higher capacity and productivity from their farming activities. This will include the development and training of new farming techniques, technical implementations, and any other aspect that will improve your farmer(s)’ crop. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to assist in demonstration farms, whereby we hold regular trainings for farmers to replicate.
Qualifications
The volunteer needs to have experience in modern farming practices and be ready to work with the community. The volunteer must have an open and positive attitude, so that the communities’ needs are taken in and their full potential developed.
Orientation & Training:
All volunteers will receive a general orientation on the nature and purpose of the organization, their placement, and the purposes and requirements of the position that they are accepting. In addition, volunteers will receive specific on-the- job training to provide them with the information and skills necessary to perform their volunteer assignment.
Accommodation
Minimum of two weeks
Place
Primarily in the rural region of Wongonyi, Kenya
Benefits
The benefit of this placement will be established by the observation of how simple knowledge transfer can have a positive impact on developing communities.
Benefits
By teaching the orphans, playing with them, preparing their daily records, cooking, helping in their washing, and some administrative work, the volunteer is exposed to a form and level of humility that is humbling, yet revealing and self gratifying, both to themselves and to the children and staff. Volunteering in an orphanage facilitates adaptability, flexibility, and preparedness, while providing a platform to learn of life-changing experiences from the orphans and caretakers.
Language
English
GENERAL VOLUNTEER
Major Objective is to provide a willing individual an opportunity to utilize their
knowledge and skills to fulfill a volunteering objective and assist those who are in need of practical support.
Background
KSI understands the diversified needs of volunteers in the different fields and professions. Aside from our “job-specific” volunteer positions, we provide volunteer opportunities that can be personalized to meet the needs and interests of almost any volunteer. Each general volunteer placement allows the volunteer to either design his or
her own project or to join a project while in the field.
As a potential volunteer, you can begin by telling us your interests, skills, and the region you would like to work, and we will match you with a designated volunteer opportunity tailored to specifically for you.
Qualifications
This placement is open to all volunteers, including families, students, researchers, groups, churches, companies, and any other associations. The volunteer will need to have a basic understanding in their specific interest, however, those who want to conduct research are also encouraged to seek our assistance and support. KSI has a personal relationship with all of our volunteer placements and we work closely with their projects on site.
Responsibilities
Varies according to your interest, however, we expect positive and dedicated commitment to your volunteer or research program.
Orientation & Training:
All volunteers will receive a general orientation on the nature and purpose of the organization, their placement, and the purposes and requirements of the position that they are accepting. In addition, volunteers will receive specific on-the-job training to provide them with the information and skills necessary to perform their volunteer assignment.
Accommodation
The volunteer will be accommodated in a home stay, where he or she will have the opportunity to interact with a Kenyan family and gain cultural experience.
Commitment
Minimum of two weeks
Place
Volunteer placements are available in the slums of Kibera and Mathare, Nairobi, as well as in the provinces of the Coast, Rift Valley, and Nairobi
Language
English
VOLUNTEER IN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Major Objective: To develop, train, and bring market potential to young business
groups.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities: The volunteer will assist local businesses with issues adherent to business growth and market entrance, including the development of solid business plans, financial and accounting training, management, marketing, and advice towards the access of development funds. The volunteer will also help the business groups manage any micro-loans that they have or will acquire, by training them on record keeping and management of funds. Lastly, you will have the opportunity to identify entrepreneurship opportunities within the community and work on developing those with willing participants.
Qualifications
Open to all volunteers, especially those with a background or studying business
Orientation & Training
The volunteer will be accommodated in a home stay, where he or she will have the opportunity to interact with a Kenyan family and gain cultural experience.
Accommodation
Varies according to your interest, however, we expect positive and dedicated commitment to your volunteer or research program.
Commitment
Minimum of two weeks
Place
The slums of Kibera, in Nairobi, and rural locations in Southern and Western Kenya
Benefits
Will be the satisfaction of seeing how simple knowledge transfer and support can have a positive impact on motivated groups of dedicated individuals.
Language
English